Easy Holiday Batch Cocktails for Friendsgiving
I absolutely love Thanksgiving. So much so that I wrote a whole section about it in my cookbook! I love the organization, prep, and making sure I’m not in charge of doing those dishes. But most importantly, I love having a day to make really good food for people I love. It’s stressful and overwhelming at times, but it is so worth it. To help you get started on your own celebrations we have two different holiday batch cocktails with Spindrift: Orange Cranberry Sangria and Bourbon Lemon Apple Cider.
How to make Holiday Orange Cranberry Sangria
Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving, I think it’s always great to make batch cocktails. It keeps things easy on a day when the food is definitely going to be more complicated. Sangria is an easy way to do just that!
For our holiday sangria, we combined apple chunks, cranberries, the juice of an orange, and brown sugar at the bottom of a pitcher. Stir and muddle those together, then add some ice to your pitcher. Add a bottle of merlot, then some apple brandy (we used Laird’s Applejack). Add a can of Cranberry Raspberry Spindrift and a few dashes of bitters. Finally, top it with cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and a few more cranberries and you are ready to enjoy!
How to make Holiday Bourbon Lemon Apple Cider
For any bourbon fans, this is the drink for you! Even if someone isn’t a big fan of bourbon, this drink is so lemon and apple cider forward that they might become a convert! To make this holiday batch cocktail, in a pitcher, combine apple cider, bourbon, apple brandy (we used Laird’s Applejack), lemon juice, and Lemon Spindrift. On a plate, sprinkle cinnamon over sliced apples and add them to your pitcher.
If you want to have some fun serving this drink, combine cinnamon and sugar on a plate or shallow bowl. Around the rim of your glass, rub a lemon wedge, and dip it into the mixture. Then, pour in your apple cider cocktail. It’s a fun and festive rim that makes the drink that much more delicious!
Why to Make Holiday Batch Cocktails
If you’re in charge of drinks at Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving, you can’t go wrong with either or both of these holiday batch cocktails. They have some of the same ingredients, so you aren’t breaking the bank for two totally different drinks, but you’re still offering great options. I think it’s always important to balance not going over the top while still making sure there is a good option for everyone. Making one of each of these batch cocktails is perfect to do just that. Plus, you can bring the leftover Spindrift for anyone who wants a mocktail!
If you make either or both of these Holiday Batch Cocktails, be sure to review it below and let me know what you think! If you’re looking for more inspiration, sign up for our Friday Favorites newsletter, and follow along on Pinterest and Instagram to join in all the fun!
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Easy Holiday Batch Cocktails
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Drinks
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Holiday Batch Cocktails are simple, delicious, and perfect for quick and easy crowd pleasers at Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving!
Ingredients
For the Orange Cranberry Sangria
1 – 2 Apples, cut into chunks or thinly slices, divided
½ cranberries, divided
Juice of a tangerine
¼ cup brown sugar
Ice
1 Bottle of red wine, we recommend Merlot
1 or more tangerine, cut into slices
¼ cup Apple brandy, we used Laird’s Applejack
4 dashes Bitters
1 can Spindrift Cranberry Raspberry Sparkling Water
For the Holiday Bourbon Lemon Apple Cider
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons Cinnamon, for the rim, plus more for garnish
1 lemon, cut in half
Ice
20 oz Apple cider
5 oz bourbon
5 oz Apple Brandy, we used Laird’s Applejack
1 ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 can Spindrift Lemon Sparkling Water
Apple slices, to garnish
Instructions
Make the Orange Cranberry Sangria
In a large a pitcher, place half of the apple slices and ¼ cup of cranberries, the juice of the tangerine and brown sugar. Using a wooden spoon, muddle the fruit and brown sugar to combine and release the flavor of the fruit.
Fill the pitcher with ice. Add the bottle of red wine, apple brandy and dashes of bitters. Stir to combine.
Lastly, add the Spindrift and add the remaining apple slices, cranberries and tangerine slices to garnish.
Make the Holiday Bourbon Lemon Apple Cider
In a small shallow bowl, combine the sugar and the cinnamon. Using a lemon wedge, wet half of the rim of your drinking glasses. Place the glass upside down into the cinnamon and sugar mixture to coat half of the rim.
In a small plate, add the apple wedges and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Set aside. Note: This part is optional but makes the drinks extra special.
In a large pitcher add the ice, the apple cider, bourbon, brandy, and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Top with Lemon Spindrift. Garnish with the cinnamon apple slices and pour into the sugared rim glasses and enjoy!
Keywords: holiday batch cocktails, batch cocktails