So, for the USians here, what drinks are you serving at Thanksgiving? I always end up with a crowd as we are centrally located and have a big family. I will get a great Cabernet, a sweet white wine for my ex mother out-law who always asks for white wine then says it’s too dry, beer of course, still working on the house cocktail and non alcoholic drinks.
Always start with a spritz of some sort, mimosa or similar.
Tried a really good pineapple drink (it’s in another post) and it’s great but I don’t want to juice pineapple, andthe tepache will be too dry or gone by then.
Still thinking about this. I do have time to make more ginger beer by then. But I’m thinking to make that one of the non-intoxicating drinks.
In previous recent big gatherings I’ve made a pineapple drink, a pear and ginger, a ginger and Chartreuse. I am cooking and not willing to also be a bartender so need a pitcher of something for sure. Not many of my guests like wine, the beer drinkers are all set, they bring more than enough. I can get just about anything in terms of ingredients.
We have vegans so besides turkey the food slants toward mushrooms/potatoes/lentils.
Sorry, this got long, just looking for ideas, will put my trials in this thread and also please ask here if you are also looking for ideas.
If you’re looking for low effort, I’d say to find a couple of cocktails people will generally like and put them into drink dispensers. Black rose is a good choice, and the old fashioned is a classic. If you want variety you can add a margarita, but if you’re doing salted rims then everyone has to be cool with everyone using the same salt plate or go without. Speaking of which, I’d prep the garnishes and leave them out too, making it essentially so everyone is their own bartender. Things like a vodka tonic or vodka cran are also ones you can have people prep for themselves.
I also like to have a regular whiskey like Maker’s or Jameson, plus a bottle or two people haven’t seen before. Whiskeys are the big one for people who take it neat/rocks. Other than that, if there’s a sipping gin like Hendricks or Avation, it’s not a bad choice.
Only other suggestion is think about leaning towards a local distillery if you have one, because it’s especially fun for any out of town guests and even locals might find something new.
I think everyone likes bourbon and tequila, only some like gin, but they are also the ones who like wine. I don’t think I can put something that’s straight booze like old fashioned or martini in a dispenser because people will pour too big and be too drunk too fast. Maybe if I put tiny cups next to it, LOL. A curated bottles and mixers table is a good idea and I have done that before.
Local is a great idea. The beer people always drink local but we do have distilleries, too.