Well, it’s Thanksgiving again; and nothing welcomes the friends, relatives & random crashers to your Thanksgiving feast like a well planned cocktail menu (sometimes the random crashers ARE relatives/ you know who you are…) That being said, I recommend having an array of cocktails not only for different times of the day (pre/post-meal, etc..) but I also recommend having a little something for everyone (i.e., Dad likes Jameson & Coke Zero, Aunt Rita loves her Cosmos they make her feel like she’s in Sex & the City…the kid-sister only drinks Chai -’cause it’s “so hot right now”, Uncle Dave loves an Old Fashioned and Mom, to-this-day still can’t finish an Amaretto Sour…)
In order to keep the peace, I keep the “old-standbys” around; however I do print a seasonal cocktail menu that encourages a bit of exploration as well as provides a little something special for each part of the day.
Early Day Cocktails:
(Cran)Apple Cider Mimosa
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2oz Farm Fresh Apple Cider
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3-4oz Cava/Sparkling Wine
*Note: Add 1oz Cranberry Juice to make the (Cran)Apple Cider Mimosa
I mean, who doesn’t want to wake up to Cava?? It’s almost better than coffee (don’t tell Nikki I said that last bit!)
The Farm Cosmo
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1.5oz Vodka
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.75oz Cointreau
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.75oz Fresh Lime
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.75oz Cranberry Juice
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.5oz Simple Syrup
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Garnish: Orange Rind or Fresh Cranberries
Most probably don’t see the Cosmo as a holiday cocktail; however this cocktail is a holiday staple here on the farm. Garnish Option you ask?? Bottomless Cranberries (Mrs loves to throw handfuls in hers!!)
Apple-Jakked
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.5oz Brandy
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1oz Applejack
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.5oz Ginger Liqueur
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.25oz Cinnamon Syrup
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1 Barspoon Noble Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
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2 Dashes Chicory – Pecan El Guapo Bitters
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Garnish: Apple Slice & Candied Ginger
Apple, Ginger, Cinnamon and Maple?? Yes Please! Your guests are gonna love this instant classic!
Chai Mule
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1.5oz Homemade Chai Vodka
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.75oz Fresh Lime
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.25oz Velvet Falernum
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4oz Ginger Beer
A touch of fall spice adds a new layer of fun to your typical Mule. This one goes out to your Chai-loving kid-sister; there’s one in every family!
Aperitif Cocktails:
Pumpkin Chai-Tai
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1.5oz Homemade Pumpkin Chai Rum
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.75oz Applejack
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.75oz Fresh Lemon
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.25oz Cinnamon Syrup
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1oz Pumpkin Puree
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1 Barspoon All Spice Dram
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Garnish Option: Light dusting Pumpkin Spice
It’s “pumpkin & spice, in everything nice”! Fall cocktails will never be the same and neither will your Thanksgiving! This cocktail is to fall tiki as pumpkin-pie is to fall desserts!
(Pum)King of the Patch
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2oz Pumking Ale
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1oz Bourbon
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1oz Applejack
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.25oz Maple Syrup
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.25oz Cinnamon Syrup
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.5oz Fresh Lemon
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1 Whole Egg
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Garnish: Bitters & Fresh Grated Nutmeg
Get outside your comfort zone and try this delicious fall beer flip. It’s unbelievably light and not too sweet; a well-balanced, old world libation.
After Dinner “Digestif” Cocktails:
Winter Solstice
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1oz Cynar70 (or 2oz Cynar)
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1oz Rye
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.75oz Carpano Antica Formula
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Garnish: Skewered Brandied or Luxardo Cherry(s)
For when you just CAN’T! This is a variation of mine on the 1794 Cocktail; which is a variation on the Boulevardier. This cocktail replaces Campari with Cynar70; changing from the aperitif cocktails before it to a digestif cocktail (and a quite delicious one at that!)
Black Manhattan
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2oz Bourbon
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1oz Averna Amaro
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1 Dash House Orange Bitters
