Thanksgiving Cocktails
This Thanksgiving, I wanted to shake things up a bit. Instead of the usual blog that dissects white wine versus red, what goes with ham, turkey, and Aunt Bessie's green bean casserole yada yada yada; how about wine thanksgiving cocktails? The following 8 wine cocktails can be served with sweet or savory dishes (perfect for fowl, fish, or beef). What makes them work is the judicious use of herbs. You'll discover that cinnamon, like nutmeg, can punch up a dish or drink but does not necessarily sweeten it.
All of the ingredient amounts in each cocktail are based on a pitcher serving. If you want to make individual cocktails, figure that a pitcher will serve 8 cocktails comfortably and divide from that.
So happy experimenting. And, from all of us at Wine By Appointment, well, all three of us, here's wishing you a joyful, happy Thanksgiving!
1. Rosemary Pear White Wine Spritzer
Description: A light and herbaceous spritzer combining the crispness of white wine with the sweetness of pear juice and the earthy aroma of rosemary. Pair this cocktail with roasted turkey, stuffing, or herb-roasted vegetables.
Ingredients:
1 bottle dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
1/2 cup pear juice
1/4 cup club soda
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 rosemary sprig (plus more for garnish)
Thinly sliced pear (for garnish)
Instructions:
In a pitcher, combine white wine, pear juice, and lemon juice.
Add a rosemary sprig and stir gently to release the herb's oils. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
Pour into glasses filled with ice, topping each with a splash of club soda.
Garnish with pear slices and a fresh rosemary sprig.
2. Sage and Pear White Wine Spritzer
Description: Sage makes Thanksgiving; fruit works well with many meats and fowl. This herbaceous cocktail blends the sweetness of pear with fresh sage, which pairs well with savory dishes like turkey, stuffing, or roasted vegetables. The elderflower liqueur does add a dash of sweetness.
Ingredients:
1 bottle white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
1/2 cup pear juice
1/4 cup elderflower liqueur (optional)
4-5 fresh sage leaves
Club soda (for fizz)
Pear slices (for garnish)
Fresh sage sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions:
In a pitcher, muddle the fresh sage leaves with pear juice.
Pour in the white wine and elderflower liqueur. Stir to combine.
Fill glasses halfway with the wine mixture, then top with club soda for a light fizz.
Garnish with a slice of pear and a fresh sage sprig. Serve chilled.
3. Cranberry Red Wine Sangria
Description: This cocktail will please the red wine drinkers in your crowd. Just make sure you use a big wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. The tart cranberries add a little extra zing, making them a great pairing for savory dishes like roasted meats, sausage stuffing, or gravy-laden sides.
Ingredients:
1 bottle red wine (Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
1/2 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened)
1/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 orange (thinly sliced)
1 cinnamon stick
Club soda (optional for topping)
Instructions:
Combine red wine, cranberry juice, brandy, cranberries, and orange slices in a pitcher.
4. Thyme & Honey Sparkling Rosé
Description: The thyme is the bomb in this drink. The yin and yang of the thyme, honey, and the sparkling rosé make it a winner—pairs with roasted poultry, savory sides, rich gravies, and even green bean casserole.
Ingredients:
1 bottle sparkling rosé
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
4-5 fresh thyme sprigs
Lemon slices (for garnish)
Fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions:
In a small bowl, mix lemon juice and honey until the honey dissolves.
In a glass, add the lemon-honey mixture and a sprig of fresh thyme.
Pour sparkling rosé into each glass and gently stir.
Garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of thyme. Serve immediately.
5. Spiced Apple White Wine Sangria
Description: This sangria emphasizes crispness as opposed to fruit. This cocktail pairs perfectly with savory dishes like glazed ham, turkey, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients:
1 bottle dry white wine (Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc)
1 cup apple juice (unsweetened)
1/4 cup brandy
1 apple (thinly sliced)
1 cinnamon stick
3-4 cloves
Sparkling water (optional, for topping)
Instructions:
In a pitcher, combine white wine, apple juice, and brandy.
Add apple slices, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Stir gently and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Serve over ice. Top with sparkling water for a fizzy finish, if desired.
6. Spiced Red Wine Sangria
Description: Another red wine crowd-pleaser. This spicy wine pairs great with hearty, savory dishes like roasted meats, stuffing, and savory casseroles. Again, make sure you use a big wine like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel would add zing.
Ingredients:
1 bottle red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 orange (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
2 cinnamon sticks
3-4 star anise pods
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
Club soda (optional, for fizz)
Orange slices and cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
Instructions:
In a large pitcher, combine red wine, brandy, and fresh orange juice.
Add orange slices, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and honey (if using).
Stir and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors blend.
Serve over ice, garnished with orange slices and a cinnamon stick. Add a splash of club soda for a lighter touch, if desired.
7. Thyme and Citrus White Wine Cocktail
Description: Another cocktail where thyme is the star. It makes a refreshing pairing for savory dishes such as roasted poultry, buttery potatoes, and stuffing.
Ingredients:
1 bottle white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup honey or agave syrup
4-5 sprigs fresh thyme (plus more for garnish)
Orange slices (for garnish)
Instructions:
In a large pitcher, combine white wine, orange juice, lemon juice, and honey.
Add fresh thyme sprigs and stir gently. Let sit for 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with orange slices and additional thyme sprigs.
8. Cranberry Ginger White Wine Cocktail
Description: I love ginger, and the combination of cranberry and ginger will make this your new favorite. The cranberry tartness and ginger's warmth pair with a dry white wine, making this cocktail a great complement to savory dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole.
Ingredients:
1 bottle white wine (Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc)
1/2 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
1/4 cup ginger beer
1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier)
Fresh cranberries (for garnish)
Fresh ginger slices (for garnish)
Orange zest (for garnish)
Instructions:
In a large pitcher, mix white wine, cranberry juice, ginger beer, and orange liqueur.
Stir to combine and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Serve over ice, garnished with fresh cranberries, ginger slices, and orange zest.
This article was generated with insight and a little help from ChatGPT, an AI model developed by OpenAI.
Achieve the ultimate Thanksgiving wine and food pairing. Check out our blog https://www.winebyappt.com/post/how-to-pair-wine-with-your-thanksgiving-feast
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