Thanksgiving Spiced Wine Cocktail

by Rachel McCarthy
With Thanksgiving only two days away, I normally like to share a Thanksgiving appetizer, side or dessert in this Tuesday before the holiday post, but I figured most people probably already have a pretty good idea of what they are making. One component that often gets overlooked on the holidays are the cocktails. Today, my husband, the in-house sommelier and mixologist, is sharing a fall cocktail that’s the perfect crowd pleaser for the Thanksgiving holiday.

When it comes to creating cocktails for a crowd, we learned last year at our Christmas party that creating individual cocktails for each person can get to be a little much. Enter cocktails in a pitcher. Why did we not think of this before! Make the cocktail ahead of time in the pitcher and pour each glass as your guests arrive = genius. We went with the copper mugs to enhance the fall presentation {and because everything tastes better in a chilled copper mug!}. 

P.S. If you are looking for another cocktail in a copper mug, my husband made this Cranberry Moscow Mule last year that was delicious, and could work for not only Thanksgiving but also Christmas!

For a more local taste, we went with Virginia wine, but if you don’t live in Virginia, you can use any red wine of your choice. Finishing the drink with apples and cinnamon sticks makes for a delicious fall garnish.

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Thanksgiving Spiced Wine Cocktail
Ingredients
  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 4 cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon cloves
  • 1 teaspoon all spice
  • zest of 1 orange
  • 2 bottles red Virginia wine
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup brandy, we used E&J
  • 2 apples, sliced
Instructions
Mix together the apple cider, sugar, 4 cinnamon sticks, cloves, all spice and orange zest in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before straining. Mix the wine, orange juice, brandy, sliced apples and the cooled apple cider mixture in a large pitcher. Serve over ice in individual copper mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
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Thanks for dropping by! If you are still looking for some Thanksgiving recipe inspiration, here are a few of my favorites that I have shared in the past:
  • Thanksgiving for Two: including turkey tenderloin, fall roasted vegetables and leek, mushroom and prosciutto dressing. 
This post is linked up with: Tasty Tuesdays | Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday | Two Cup Tuesday | Weekend Potluck  | SITS Girls 

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