I love playing bartender for my family during the holiday because there's always a dusty bottle of something interesting at the back of my parents' liquor shelf and I have a lot of fun using the cocktail shaker. Since we enjoy special foods around the holidays, it is always nice to make a little extra effort to create equally special drinks. These cocktails embrace three flavors from the Thanksgiving meal--thyme, ginger, and nutmeg--for a seasonal and delicious addition to any menu.
The first two drinks both use Rehorst Citrus Honey Vodka from Great Lakes Distillery in Milwaukee. I have had a bottle sitting on my liquor shelf since my sister and I went on the distillery tour in September, but I haven't had an occasion to drink it until now. If you cannot find Rehorst vodka in your local liquor store, you can substitute another citrus or lemon vodka and add a spoonful of honey to the simple syrup for flavor.
 | The first drink is bubbly, cold, and just a little bit sweet. It will only take a couple sips for this spiked soda to become your new game day drink. Plus it is easy to modify into a non-alcoholic version. Spiked Ginger Soda Make a ginger simple syrup using one part sugar, one part water and one part fresh ginger (peeled and sliced). Simmer in a saucepan over medium heat until the syrup becomes a golden color and there is a noticeable aroma of ginger. Let cool before using. Combine 2 oz. of ginger simple syrup and 2 oz. of Rehorst Citrus Honey Vodka in a highball glass. Add ice cubes and top off with club soda. Garnish with a piece of candied ginger or throw it into the glass for extra fizz. |
| This thyme cocktail will get you in the mood for turkey because it includes an herb that is often used when cooking poultry. Sip this before dinner starts so that you can jump into Thanksgiving dinner with all your tastebuds ready for the action. I could not find lemon thyme in my local grocery store, so instead I used regular thyme because the cold weather here in Chicago discouraged me from searching farther afield. If you have lemon thyme available, that would be ideal! Thyme for a Cocktail Make a thyme simple syrup using the same process described above. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz. of Rehorst Citrus Honey Vodka with .5 oz lemon juice and 1 oz. thyme simple syrup. Add ice and shake. Serve in a cocktail glass and garnish with a sprig of thyme or a wedge of lemon. |  |
 | When dinner is over, enjoy this dessert shot that combines espresso, alcohol, and whipped cream. Instead of using cinnamon, which is the normal star of the spice world during this time of year, I chose to top this shot with nutmeg for a rich flavor that is often under-appreciated. Jolt de Crème Combine 1 oz. espresso or dark roast coffee with 1 oz. of whipped cream vodka in a shot glass (and an optional splash of vanilla extract). Add a dollop of whipped cream on top and sprinkle liberally with nutmeg. Although it is tempting to eat the whipped cream off the top before drinking the rest, the optimal flavor comes when you drink the coffee and vodka through the whipped cream. And remember, the coffee is hot so be sure to sip slowly to avoid burning the back of your throat! |
My favorite gadget for making cocktails is a mini adjustable measuring cup that was a stocking stuffer a few Christmases ago. It is great because you adjust the volume before measuring your ingredients so you always just fill it up to the top. No more accidentally filling to the wrong line! It is especially useful for the small quantities required in making cocktails.
Do you have any favorite Thanksgiving drinks that you are planning on making this year? Share your recipe in the comments or tell me which of these three cocktails you would like to try!
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