Secretly, I am hoping you haven’t decided on your cocktail recipe for tomorrow in the midst of brining a turkey, getting side dishes ready, and baking pumpkin pies. Today, I bring you a Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail that you can whip up for yourself and friends as you work in the kitchen prepping Thanksgiving or stand around the appetizer table. And some big news (read to the end!).
The best part of this cocktail magic? The base of the drink is the cranberry sauce you’re serving alongside your turkey! While this isn’t a novel idea of using jam or sauces in cocktails, I hope this gets you brainstorming for how to enjoy a delicious cocktail tomorrow. Especially for those of you cooking – you deserve it!
- 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
- 1 shot bourbon whiskey
- ½ orange, juiced (about ½ cup juice)
- ½ cup sparkling water
- Orange zest and fresh cranberry garnish
- For each cocktail, add 2 tablespoons of cranberry sauce to the bottom of the glass. Add 1 shot of bourbon bourbon and the juice of half an orange to each glass, and stir together. Alternatively, add everything to a cocktail shaker and strain if you don't want the cranberry pulp.
- Taste the mixture and add a bit of sugar if the cranberry sauce was tart (I didn't find it necessary since I had a sweet orange as well).
- Drop ice cubes into the glass and top the drink with sparkling water to the rim.
- Garnish each drink with fresh cranberries and orange zest.
I am also sharing this cocktail partially as a way to let you guys know that I wish we could virtually CHEERS over the fact that Noah purchased a home (!!!). We have been house hunting since we got back from our travels in India, and are surprised to have already found a place we love and can make our own.
For the rest of the week (so happy for 4 day holiday weekends), we are swiftly moving out of our one bedroom apartment to our new home about a mile and a half away. The home was built in 1885 and needs lots of painting and fun updates. From the outside, it looks like a barn since it has a Dutch Colonial styled roof and is painted firetruck red. Oh, yes, no one will get lost trying to find our place!
P.S. Seeking any Denver recruits who want to stop by this weekend and make their mark on our house with some paint. Or heck, fly in and come visit us for the weekend!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Marisa
Lisa @ RunWiki says
I am always on the hunt for a holiday cocktail– generally, I pick out two new recipes that are served at Thanksgiving and Christmas– it’s a bit of tradition around here. This looks amazing– I love the idea of muddling the cranberry sauce, which happens to be my favorite condiments of all time.
Marisa says
It’s my favorite condiment during the holidays too 🙂 Let me know if you try out this recipe!
Annie Shapiro says
I would love to drink this with you…. ESPECIALLY IN YOUR (well, Noah’s) NEW HOME.
If I make this, I will definitely take pictures and send them to you 🙂
Marisa says
Yes most definitely! Let me know if you make it!!
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
I saw this the other day (the house buying I mean) and I was like what what what and now I’m like omgomgomg it’s real!! That’s so exciting! Renovating and making it your own is going to be fun too 🙂 cheers with this drink lady!
Marisa says
I know, it doesn’t feel real!! Thanks for cheersing me right back!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Congratulations! That is so so exciting! Wishing you a smooth easy transition!
Jessi says
CONGRATS on being able to share the house news! I’m so happy for you guys, 🙂
And obviously thanks for the kick in the pants this morning!
Marisa says
Thank you!!! Can’t wait for you to visit 😀
Donna says
Hey Mo…so happy for you two buying a home! Now you are truly starting to root and blossom! We will be thinking of you over the holiday and hopefully we can say “hi” on Thursday because the three of us will be down with Rita. Dave is making his famous cheese bread to travel and l’llI make lemon squares (a recipe from my Gram) for dessert. Alix is going along to eat and hang with her Grandma. Don’t work too hard, sweetie.
Love,
Donna
Marisa says
Thanks, Donna! I would love to say hi tomorrow – I will be around. Hope to see you all sometime soon!
Renae H. says
Congrats on the house! Would love to see it when I’m back in Denver 🙂 Perhaps we can incorporate it into a run!
Marisa says
Most definitely! Thanks Renae. Let me know when you are back in town!
Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian says
As my mom and I are commenting about how we made too much cranberry sauce, I stumbled upon this! Such a fun, festive cocktail! I think we have found a use for that extra cranberry sauce :). Happy thanksgiving!
Marisa says
I hope your cranberry sauce made its way into this cocktail! 😀