Recipe: Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

Nothing beats the chilly autumn weather like relaxing fireside with a good book, a cozy blanket, and delicious apple cider. Just in time for Thanksgiving weekend, our social media team whipped up a mouthwatering Apple Cider Bourbon cocktail. It’s super simple – and you can easily leave out the bourbon for a delightful non-alcoholic beverage. Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving!

Serves: One

  • 2 oz. bourbon
  • 3 oz. apple cider (local, if you can find some)
  • ½ oz. rosemary simple syrup
  • Cinnamon stick and fresh rosemary

1. Prepare the rosemary simple syrup:

Combine equal parts water and sugar in a small saucepan, drop in 3 or 4 sprigs of rosemary, and set over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves, then turn up the heat just a tick to bring the syrup to a simmer; simmer for 1 minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture steep, about 20 minutes. Discard the rosemary and let the syrup cool. (1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar will be plenty for multiple drinks.)

2. In a shaker, combine the bourbon, cider and simple syrup with a few cubes of ice. Shake vigorously for a few seconds and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a fresh rosemary sprig.


Tips for a Stress Free Holiday

This Thanksgiving, say goodbye to entertaining stress! These simple Thanksgiving tips can help you plan a day that everyone can love.

Make a Plan

Nothing is impossible once you break it down into simple steps! So: Get your menu set and your shopping done a few days before; jot down a schedule (e.g., what’s being cooked in what order, who’s arriving when, how you’ll pace the hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and dessert) and build in some socializing time for yourself; and make sure there’s enough seating for all your guests.

 

Back to the Future

Nothing beats a recipe that’s been passed down for generations. Send happy Thanksgiving memories into the future by preparing a family favorite or two – you could even have copies of the recipes for guests to take home.

 

Get an Early Start

Check those recipes to see what you can make in advance. Stocks for gravy, sides, and dough are all good candidates for pre-prep.

 

Ready…Set…Set the Table!

Tablescaping game on. Check out our Harvest tabletop here.

 

Card Your Guests

Hosting a crowd? Assign seats with place cards, mixing friends and family to create a more social experience.

 

The Warmest Welcome

Greet your guests with a signature cocktail or a steamy mug of hot mulled cider (with or without the rum!).

 

Open with a Wow

Feel like stretching those creative culinary muscles? Start with one over-the-top appetizer to get your party started.

 

Child’s Play

Set up games, an easy craft, or a space where the little ones can put together a simple yummy dessert, and they won’t have time to ask, “Is it ready yet?”

 

Pass the Sanity, Please

If there are lots of people or lots of dishes, simplify your hosting duties: Set up a buffet near the table and let guests serve themselves.


How to Set a Thanksgiving Tablescape

Setting a deliciously chic table for Thanksgiving is surprisingly easy—if you have a plan. We think the holiday lends itself to a harvest-inspired, rustic farmhouse look, so we chose a subtle seasonal palette: Think fall leaves (taupe, gold, burnt orange) and blue sky. We used natural materials as well as Ethan Allen decorative accents, to complete our tablescape.

Step 1: Start with any table that will comfortably seat your guests—we used our classic, plank-top Miller table to set a “country” tone.

Step 2: Lay a foundation with a few basics—be creative! Instead of using a traditional tablecloth, we draped a plaid throw (a good friend routinely uses her favorite Tartan wool blanket) diagonally across the table to show off the beautiful wood. Brilliant idea, right? One caveat: be sure you don’t mind if your tablecloth stand-in gets a little messy. Next, create a “frame” for your centerpiece using natural fall foliage from your yard and add candlesticks for height (and later, ambience).

Step 3: Can you set a fall table without pumpkins and gourds? We think not! We placed them in and around our leafy branches, mixing colors, shapes, and sizes.

Step 4: Add volume and a little bling; a few of our faux Gold Artichokes did the trick.

Step 5: Fill in the “blanks” with some seasonal fruit; we scattered a few gorgeous pears. And remember: The more imperfect it looks, the better!

Step 6: Set the table with neutral white plates or use a combo of your favorite flea market finds. We added pops of color with a mix of cloth napkins, and gave each plate a final flourish with a sprig of bittersweet berries.

P.S. After the holiday, use your greenery to make small wreaths to hang around the house—because everyone knows that leftovers are the best part of Thanksgiving!