Stress-Free Thanksgiving: Cranberry Citrus Martini (and Don’t Forget the Drinks)

| November 7, 2012 | 2 Comments

Confession: I’ve been known to carefully plan holiday dinners but totally forget about drinks. Usually it’s my husband who clues into the conspicuous absence of beverages. He asks me if I bought anything to serve for drinks. And my response? Usually something like “Well, there’s water!”

He’s not fond of that answer.

Don’t worry — I am trying hard to change that little habit. Beverages matter. So for Thanksgiving, I usually buy a few bottles of sparkling lemonade, fill a pitcher with ice water and perhaps another with iced tea. That ensures their is something for everyone — the kids, the adults, everyone.

Of course, if you enjoy adult beverages, having a nice bottle of wine that complements the turkey and all the fixin’s is good to have on hand too. And — if you want — a signature cocktail like this Cranberry Citrus Martini is fun too. It’s sweet, citrus-y and has a hint of tartness. And making it? Super easy … especially if you make the cranberry reduction ahead of time and just keep it chilled until you are ready to serve it.

And a little hint … If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, just use your favorite tightly-sealing, dishwasher safe water bottle and shake it up.

What does your family love to drink on Thanksgiving?

Cranberry citrus martini
serves 4

2 cups cranberry cocktail
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
4 oz chilled pineapple vodka

Start by making a cranberry reduction. In a small saucepan, heat the cranberry cocktail to boiling. Reduce heat slightly and boil for 20-30 minutes, until reduced to about 1/3 cup

In a cocktail shaker, combine the cranberry reduction, orange juice and pineapple vodka with ice. Shake thoroughly to combine.

Strain the drink into four glasses. Garnish as desired.

Optional: For a tasty boozy garnish, soak dried cranberries in pineapple vodka for 1-2 hours. Skewer with pineapple chunks and drop into the glasses.

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Category: Celebrate, drinks, Recipes, Stress-Free Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving

About the Author ()

Sarah W. Caron is a freelance writer, editor and recipe developer.

Comments (2)

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  1. Kate says:

    I never think of drinks either!
    Kate recently posted..My First World ProblemsMy Profile

  2. Sarah W. Caron says:

    Glad I am not the only one! Thanks, Kate.

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