There are things that instantly bring to mind images of fall, family gatherings and Thanksgiving celebrations, things like cranberries, pears, pumpkin pie and that wonderful mix of spices. They look good, smell great, and taste even better. And those traditional fall flavors aren't restricted to just your plate - they also make great cocktails.
Of course, Thanksgiving has come a long way since America's Pilgrims celebrated. The first Thanksgiving wasn't even called Thanksgiving - that was a religious holiday. The Pilgrims had their three day harvest celebration somewhere between September and November in 1621.
New York adopted a yearly day of Thanksgiving in 1817. The idea was popular, and gradually spread through the country. It finally became a national holiday in 1863, courtesy of President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln probably didn't have a Gobble-tini or a Tennessee Cobbler with his turkey, though.
Gobble-tini
Thanks to TheBar.com for this great recipe.
- 1.25 oz Smirnoff Cranberry Vodka
- .25 oz raspberry liqueur
- splash of cranberry juice
Add vodka, raspberry liqueur, and cranberry juice to an ice-filled shaker and shake to mix. Strain into a cocktail glass. Serve garnished with 3 whole cranberries on a stick.
Falling Pears Martini
- 2 oz. vodka
- 1/2 oz. pear liqueur
- 2 oz. pear puree or pear nectar
Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake to mix, and strain into a champagne flute or cocktail glass. Serve garnished with a dash of cinnamon and a fresh pear slice.
Ginger Snap
Recipe courtesy of TheBar.com
- .75 oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
- .5 oz. ginger brandy
- 4 oz. eggnog
Combine rum, brandy, and eggnog in a blender. Blend to desired consistency. Garnish with a ginger snap for dunking.
Autumn Pear-a-dise
Thank you to the nice folks at Absolut for this delicious signature drink.
- 1 part Absolut Vodka
- 1/2 part Absolut Pears Vodka
- 3/4 part honey syrup
- 1/2 part fresh lemon juice
- 1 whole plum, sliced
Muddle the sliced plum with the honey in a shaker, reserving one slice. Add the rest of the ingredients, shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with the reserved plum slice.
Ginger Honey Rummy
If vodka doesn't seem festive enough, why not try a cocktail with the warmth of rum instead?
- 2 parts Cruzan Single Barrel Estate Rum
- 1 part honey syrup
- 3/4 part fresh lemon juice
- 3 slices fresh ginger
In a shaker, muddle ginger and honey syrup. Add remaining ingredients and shake, and strain over ice into a rocks glass. Serve garnished with a lemon slice and a piece of crystallized ginger.
Winter Sunset
- 2 1/2 oz. gin
- 3/4 oz. dry vermouth
- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp. simple syrup
- 1 tsp. grenadine
Pour grenadine into a martini glass. Mix the gin, vermouth, syrup and lemon juice in a shaker over ice, and strain slowly into the glass. Drop in a lemon slice for garnish.
Tennessee Cobbler
Recipe courtesy of TheBar.com
- 1.35 oz. George Dickel
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. grapefruit juice
- 1.5 tsp. almond extract
- 1 slice orange
Combine all ingredients in an ice filled glass and stir well. Serve garnished with an orange slice.
And of course, there's always the pumpkin martini and its friends!
Angie Rayfield - Angie is a self-taught beer aficionado, who cheerfully confesses, "I didn't always love beer. In fact, I hated it. I only learned to drink ...
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