THANKSGIVING COCKTAIL

Thanksgiving marks the traditional beginning of the holiday party season. It's a time to share with relatives, good friends, and a nice holiday cocktail. Here are some ideas for you.

This award-winning cocktails will make its debut at the Inaugural Ball or the Hawaii Delegation at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C. All created by Bridget Albert, author of Market-Fresh Mixology: Great Seasonal Cocktails and master mixologist for Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois.

THE APPLE COCKTAIL:

Recipe from Market Fresh Mixology by Bridget Albert

1 Whole Apple
juice of 1 lemon wedge
1 apple wedge (cut in half)
1 oz apple juice (unsweetened if you can find it)
1 oz limoncello
1/2 oz vanilla vodka
splash cranberry juice
cinnamon stick (for garnish)

Using an apple corer (or a knife, if you’re skilled), core the apple to the halfway point. DON’T cut through the bottom, or your drink will leak out all over your guests’ pants. Squeeze the lemon wedge on the inside – this will stop the apple from going brown.

In a mixing glass or a cocktail shaker, muddle the apple wedge and the apple juice. Add ice, limoncello, vanilla vodka, and cranberry juice. Shake well. Strain into the cored apple and serve with a short straw. Garnish with the cinnamon stick.

This is a great cocktail to make in batches. Core 4 or 8 apples at once, being sure to prep them with lemon, then multiply up the recipe to make a small pitcher’s worth. You can even keep a refill on hand for everyone.

AMERICAN DREAM COCKTAIL:

1 ounce PAMA pomegranate liqueur
1 ounce black cherry rum
1 1/2 ounces POM Wonderful pomegranate cherry juice
1/2 ounce fresh sour mix
White fondant
Blueberries

Cut mini stars out of white fondant. Using water, gently wet the back of each star and press into the inside of the cocktail glass. Let sit for 5 minutes.

In a Boston shaker, fill mixing glass with all ingredients and add ice to tin. Shake together well and strain into star-studded cocktail glass. Garnish with blueberries on a pick.

AIR FORCE ONCE COCKTAIL:

2 ounces Hpnotiq liqueur
1 ounce citrus vodka
fresh lemon juice
Lemon-lime soda
Lemon spiral

Fill tall glass with all ingredients and add ice. Stir well. Garnish with lemon spiral.

Cinnamon Cider Martini:

3 oz. HAN Asian Vodka
½ oz. Cinnamon simple syrup
1 oz. apple cider

Cinnamon stick and/or Fuji apple slice
Shake with ice and strain into glass.

"I love Thanksgiving turkey... it's the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts."

Arnold Schwarzenegger