Holiday Cocktail Favorites

Design by Brooke Cole. Original art by Alexis Walter. Photo by Erin Comerford. Cabinet hardware by Addison Weeks.

With Thanksgiving in just a few days, I know everyone is scrambling to get their home in tip top shape and ready to receive and entertain guests for the holiday. I adore Thanksgiving because it really is a time to be thankful for friends and family without the pressure of gift giving. It’s a moment of grateful pause before the consumer chaos of the Christmas holiday begins.

In my home, I always like to have a few festive cocktails and beverages to offer guests before the big meal is served. It lightens the mood, relaxes everyone and sets the tone for an eventful time together. I am sharing a few of my favorites below.

Warm Mulled Wine

2 Bottles of red wine (Pinot Noir or Malbec will work well)

3 Cinnamon sticks

12 Black peppercorns

4 Cloves

3 Star Anise

Peels and juice of 2 oranges

1 Cup of Brandy

1 Cup of simple syrup

Heat low in a crock pot for at least 30 minutes, strain and serve. Return a cinnamon stick and orange peel to each glass serving.

(Recipe given to me by my sister-in-law, Jennifer Cole, who is currently head chef at Bacchanal Wine in New Orleans and also former Top Chef TV show winner. Yes, I know, I am a lucky girl to have a talented chef in the family.)

Cranberry Moscow Mule

2 oz. (the size of a shot glass) Cranberry Juice

2 oz. Vodka

1/4 Cup lime juice, plus extra slices for garnish

3 oz. of ginger beer

1 handful of frozen cranberries

Combine first 3 ingredients over ice. Top with ginger beer and cranberries. Garnish with a lime. Serve in a copper mug like this one. Which also makes for perfect gift giving.

Cranberry Mimosa’s

Hosting breakfast for guests the day after? Fear not, this super simple twist on the classic mimosa will set the mood for scoring some great Black Friday deals.

Pour 1/4 of a champagne glass with cranberry juice.

Top with your favorite Cava or Prosecco. {I prefer to save my good French Champagne to drink pure!}

Garnish with frozen cranberries.