Hot & Cold: Drinks to Complement Thanksgiving

Nov. 16, 2011 - PRLog -- Beyond bringing families together, the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner is, of course, the food. Many hours and even days of meticulous preparation go toward evoking the perfect golden glaze from the turkey, the fluffiest peaks from garlic mashed potatoes, and the ideal gravy with which to top them. But what about that other ever-present yet often overlooked component of the meal, the drinks? Although we enjoy them with every Thanksgiving, little thought (unless you’re a wine connoisseur) goes into their choosing and serving.

This year, you can buck the trend of neglecting the libations of Turkey Day by serving up a couple of guaranteed favorites that match the holiday perfectly. The recipes come courtesy of Judith Choate, a three-time James Beard award winner and author of the recent “A Reader’s Cookbook” (http://www.redrockpress.com/delicious.html#readersCookbook).

For example, you can impress your guests with a round of Cape Codder cocktails and appetizers before dinner. A Cape Codder is a light, refreshing drink that, with the antioxidants and vitamin content of the cranberry juice, can be considered almost good for you. “If you want to fancy it up,” Mrs. Choate recommends, “freeze an individual cranberry in each piece of ice that you plan on adding to the finished drink.” If the weather’s too cold to enjoy an iced cocktail, guests arriving to Thanksgiving can enjoy coming in and warming up with a mug of hot mulled apple cider (recipe below).

“A Reader’s Cookbook” has many other excellent dishes you can serve at your Thanksgiving table, such as Pennsylvania Corn Dutch Fritters with Maple Mustard Sauce, Spoon Bread, Cranberry-Nut Bread, Carolina Pilau, Homemade Deviled Ham, and more! Enjoy the recipes for Cape Codders and Hot Mulled Apple Cider below. For more information or photographs, contact Red Rock Press at the information below.

--

Cape Codder

For Each Drink:
½ cup cranberry juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
¼ cup vodka
Small lime wedge, optional

Combine the cranberry juice with the lime and orange juices. Add the vodka. Pour into a chilled glass and add ice. Serve garnished with a lime wedge, if desired.

--

Hot Mulled Apple Cider
Serves a crowd

Mulled cider is a late autumn and wintertime favorite throughout the northeast and mid- Atlantic. It is a wonderful warm, relaxing drink to enjoy through an evening of sharing your thoughts. It can be made in even larger batches and stored, refrigerated. Just reheat as needed. For a bracing indulgence, some people add a bit of rum for extra warmth.

4 quarts apple cider
½ cup dark brown sugar
1 orange, organic and well-scrubbed
1 teaspoon whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
½ teaspoon black peppercorns

Place the cider in a large nonreactive saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar. Stud the orange with the whole cloves and add it to the cider.
Combine the cinnamon sticks and peppercorns in a cheesecloth bag, tying to close securely. Add the bag to the cider.
Place the cider over high heat and bring to a boil. Immediately lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and allow to sit for about 15 minutes to allow the spices to infuse into the cider.
Pour into warm mugs and serve. If desired, add a tablespoon or so of brandy into each mug just before serving.

--

Daniel Kleinman
Red Rock Press
Daniel@RedRockPress.com
212-362-8304
www.RedRockPress.com