Thanksgiving Cocktails to Keep Things Festive

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Thanksgiving is around the corner. People around the country are getting ready to get together for a wholesome meal, share stories, and laugh. Food is at the heart of Thanksgiving, but so is drinking. Here are three fun Thanksgiving cocktail recipes to make your time around the table more memorable.

Choco-mint Alexander

This decadent fusion between a Grasshopper and a Brandy Alexander is more than a lovely cocktail for Thanksgiving; it’s dessert in its own right. The delicious combination of mint and cacao and the warm flavors of well-aged brandy is unbeatable.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz brandy (or cognac)

• 1 oz chocolate liqueur (crème de cacao)

• 1 oz mint liqueur (crème de menthe)

• 1 oz heavy cream

Fill a rocks glass with fresh ice and pour the brandy, cacao, and mint liqueur. Stir and top with heavy cream or half and half.

Pumpkin-Spiced Apple Cider Punch

Pumpkin-spiced apple cider is a thing now, and it’s trendy. Why not use the refreshing cider to make a seasonal Thanksgiving cocktail? This fizzy drink is a beautiful starter. If you can’t find pumpkin-spiced apple cider, use regular cider and add a tip of a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spices to the glass.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pumpkin-spiced apple cider

• 1.5 oz spiced rum

• 1 oz simple syrup

• 2 oz ginger ale

Fill a highball glass with fresh ice and pour the rum, pumpkin-spiced apple cider, and simple syrup. Stir until combined and top with ginger ale.

Tequila Coffee Martini

Coffee is heartwarming and inviting, just what you need on a chilly evening. Add to it tequila, and you’ve got yourself a unique take on the classic espresso martini. A pinch of cinnamon makes this cocktail nicely compatible with the season.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz tequila añejo

• 1.5 oz coffee liqueur

• 1 oz espresso

• One pinch of ground cinnamon

• One cinnamon stick as a garnish

Brew the espresso and allow it to cool to room temperature. Add tequila, coffee liqueur, espresso, and cinnamon in a cocktail mixer filled with ice. Shake for 10-15 seconds and pour through a strainer into a martini glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Happy Thanksgiving!