Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Some Cranberries—for Drinking!

RileyAdamsFoodBlogPostpic_thumb_thumb[3]While food gets the top billing for Thanksgiving, I’d like to also give a shout-out to the drinks that help make the holiday special, too.

We rotate the hosting responsibilities for Thanksgiving from year to year. Usually, whoever isn’t hosting brings some new wines to try—and probably a new winter beer for me to try, since I’m a beer fan.

But it’s also fun to try some festive drinks that tie into the holiday. Which is why I’ll focus on cranberries as a drink option today. :)

Because my children always feel left out if they don’t have their own, special, non-alcoholic holiday drink, I’m including a recipe for a cranberry punch, too.

First of all, the loaded stuff— :)

1290550094581Cranberry Vodka

2 oz vodka
4oz cranberry juice
2 oz ginger ale

Mix together and serve over ice.

And now one for anyone who doesn’t want the vodka--

IMG_20101123_170845

Cranberry Pineapple Punch
1 can (19 oz) unsweetened pineapple chunks (keep the juice)
1 bottle (40 oz) cranberry cocktail
1 L bottle chilled ginger ale

Combine pineapple and cocktail in a punch bowl.

Add ice and gently stir in ginger ale.

Because cranberries aren’t just for eating! :)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Hope you have a wonderful holiday.


Riley Adams/Elizabeth Spann Craig

Delicious and Suspicious (July 6 2010) Riley Adams

Pretty is as Pretty Dies –Elizabeth Spann Craig

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12 comments:

  1. Love cranberry juice - and it makes a superb mixer in drinks, IMHO. Out here, our local restaurant - winery, Cooper's Hawk (ooh, love that place!) offers a cranberry wine in its shop. I admit, I thought that a fruit wine would be too sweet, but this was fabulous. (As was the peach, rhubarb... oh.. yep, we tried a bunch!).
    Cranberry as a beverage at Thanksgiving - great idea, Elizabeth! Thanks for these recipes!

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  2. Love a cranberry cocktail. Saw one on Food Network that was vodka, fresh crushed cranberries, topped off with champagne. Must try both yours and that and compare, don't you think? Hm, perhaps today when my writing is done and before the family arrives. Won't I make a happy hostess?

    ~Avery

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  3. Oh, I just love festive drinks and cranberry is such a wonderful flavor for the holiday season. Perfect, Elizabeth! I have to add that I'm a beer fan, too. Marc has been finding the most wonderful micro-brews lately - very intriguing stuff out there, especially during the holiday season. Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

    ~ Cleo
    Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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  4. The festive drinks sound good and you can't help but love the color of them. Definitely puts you in the mood for the holidays. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  5. I bought several cans of pineapple on sale and my husband is giving me grief about how I'm going to use them. Now I can take punch to the potluck we're going to in a couple of weeks!

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  6. Oooh...so love cranberry beverages. Ever since I was introduced to a certain hot spiced cranberry apple cider, I've never been able to turn them down.

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  7. Elizabeth, I was just fixing to cut up a very ripe fresh pineapple and wondering what to do with it! (besides eat some standing at the sink as I'm cooking)You solved my dilemma--I'll have the best of both worlds by combining it with the cranberry vodka drinks tonight! So thanks, once again!

    Your pictures are just lovely and look so festive! BTW, I have that same patterned pewter tray, which was a gift from my brother when he was living in North Carolina. Small world, huh?

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  8. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you... .cook up a storm!

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  9. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm up to my eyeballs in stuffing and sweet potatoes trying to get a head start on the cooking.

    I'm going to need that vodka drink tonight, Elizabeth!

    ~ Krista

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  10. I wanted to wish all of you lovely ladies a very blessed Thanksgiving! Thank you for sharing your stories and talents with all of us!
    Nanc

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  11. Julie--I think it *may* be our professional duty as culinary writers to experiment with the beverages? Just for research? It's important to get it right! :)

    Avery--You'll be a happy hostess and so will I! I love champagne...sounds like a great recipe!

    Cleo--I'm glad I'm not alone! I've always been partial to beers. Hope you'll have such a happy Thanksgiving!

    Mason--You too! Hope you'll have a wonderful Thanksgiving. :)

    CindyD--And he'll love you for it!

    Lil--Ohhhh....apple cider with cranberry? Sounds like a winner to me!

    Lynn in Texas--Hope you'll enjoy it! It makes a yummy drink with that pineapple. :)

    I *love* pewter---I don't have to polish it! Yes, it's a small world, isn't it?

    A Year on the Grill--You too!

    Krista--Drink up! Make sure it's the spiked one. :)

    booklover--Thanks so much, Nanc! You have a *wonderful* Thanksgiving!

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  12. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! I'm grateful
    for you all!

    Jenn

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