Happy Thanksgiving from S&C!
Over here at S&C, we are grateful for a lot of things this Thanksgiving. We’re grateful for loving family and friends. We’re grateful for our good health. We’re grateful that we continue to be inspired. We’re grateful for you!
Thanksgiving is a great holiday. It is a great holiday filled with some really great food. (Ms. S&C *loves* Thanksgiving Day food.) In addition to that turkey you’re brining, that homemade cranberry sauce you’re making and that pumpkin pie you’re baking, there are beverages to think about! Don’t get overwhelmed though, Ms. S&C is here to help.
PUNCH
Why not start off the afternoon with a seasonal punch? Your guests (especially if you have a lot of them) will think it is festive and fun and delicious. You can go with the Autumn Spiced Punch (a S&C fave that has been referred to as “autumn in a cup”). Or, you can try this new S&C punch recipe (which is good with or without the booze). It is another crowd-pleaser, not to mention it looks so pretty with the floating apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
Sparkling Cinnamon Apple Punch
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 gallon apple cider , chilled
- 4 cups cranberry-apple juice, chilled
- 12 bottles sparkling wine , chilled (or sub one liter ginger ale for mocktail version)
- Fresh apple slices
- Cinnamon sticks
Directions:
In a saucepan, bring the water, sugar and cinnamon to a boil; stir until sugar is dissolved. Chill (preferably overnight). Just before serving, combine the syrup mixture, juices and sparkling wine in a punch bowl or large pitcher. Garnish with fresh apple slices and whole cinnamon sticks. Serve over ice, or use an ice block to chill.
BEER
For those non-punch-drinkers, offer them beer before dinner. And if you are going to drink beer on Thanksgiving, you might as well drink a pumpkin beer, right? There are some good ones out there. There are a lot of good ones, actually. There are some mild ones and there are some full-bodied ones. Ms. S&C gave a rundown of her faves awhile back. (And yes, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale is still high on the list.)
WINE
Opinions run far and wide about what wine to pair with Thanksgiving dinner. Some say Zinfandel goes best with turkey. Others say Riesling, for its acidity and touch of sweetness, is a good match. You could have the best of both with a rose. Or, Beaujolais Nouveau is often a popular choice because it is light and fruity, and it goes well with turkey and the melange of side dishes. Ms. S&C says drink what you want! (But you should probably have a mix of red and white. And don’t forget the champagne! Because: it truly goes with everything.)
NIGHTCAP
Have a bourbon. Or a glass of prosecco. Or a cognac like B&B.
Ms. S&C wants to know: What’s on your Thanksgiving dinner menu? What will you and family and friends be drinking around the dinner table?
posted by Ms. S&C
Shoes & Cocktails 
Like the punch! We are having pomegranate ginger martinis :) Will post my recipe after I make one! Just a small thanksgiving with my husband and his bro and gf so we’re planning to have some fun! Happy Turkey Day!
Mrs. Cummings, please report back on the pomegranate (I love pomegranates!) ginger martinis. Sounds delish!
Canadian Thanksgiving has already come and gone, but I only recently stumbled across (and tried) the ‘Empire Martini’ – which would have been perfect to serve: 1.5 oz vodka, 1 oz apple cider, 0.5 oz maple syrup. Shake in a cocktail shaker full of ice…strain into a chilled martini glass. This martini is currently part of a Festive Cocktail promo by the Liquor Store, but it would have been perfect for Thanksgiving! Next year!