Thanksgiving looks different for many of us. Although we can’t all be with our loved ones this year due to the pandemic, we can begin new traditions while we stay safe.

Hop on Zoom with family and friends to celebrate the holiday. Be thankful for our blessings with these five libations to lift your spirits.

Holiday Sangria

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 bottles Spanish red wine
  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • 1 cup brandy
  • 1 cup simple syrup
  • 1 orange sliced
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 4-5 cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
  • 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns (in a tea bag)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Combine wine, brandy, cranberry juice, simple syrup, orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and whole peppercorns into a large pot.
  • Cook the sangria for one hour. Turn off heat but keep on the burner to keep warm.
  • Serve in insulated mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
How to make simple syrup:

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Allow to cool before using.

Caramel White Russian

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 part Salted Caramel coffee liqueur – Bailey’s or Kaluha
  • 2 parts Salted Caramel Vodka
  • 1 part Half & Half
  • Caramel sauce to garnish (Torani or similar)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine the coffee liqueur, vodka, and half & half.
  • Pour caramel sauce down the side of a drinking glass. Add ice until the glass is about three quarters full; then pour in cocktail. Serve chilled.

Adult Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 2 tbsp Sugar
  • ½ Vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla
  • 6 oz Dark chocolate
  • 1 tsp Sea salt
  • 4 oz Bourbon
  • 2 oz Frangelico
  • 2 oz Irish cream
  • Marshmallows (toasted over flame on stove or on outdoor fire)

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, heat milk, sugar, salt and vanilla over medium-low heat until sugar and salt are dissolved. Do not boil milk. Add the chocolate in pieces, whisking until completely combined. Remove from heat.
  • Stir in bourbon, Frangelico and Irish cream. Serve warm with marshmallows.

Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider
  • 1 cup apple brandy
  • 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 6 apple slices, for garnish

Instructions

  • Chill cocktail glasses in freezer.
  • Fill a cocktail shaker half full of ice. Add cider, brandy, lemon juice and maple syrup. Shake quickly for 20 seconds.
  • Pour drink through the strainer of the cocktail shaker and into chilled cocktail glasses.
  • Garnish drink by cutting a thin slit into each apple slice and fit onto the rim of each glass.

Cranberry-Ginger Mimosa

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Ginger ale or ginger beer
  • 2 oz Cranberry juice
  • Champagne, to top
  • Sugared cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients in a Champagne flute.
  • Garnish with skewered sugared cranberries.
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