Thanksgiving Drinks – Surviving the holiday

Thanksgiving 2010 – Drinks to survive by

Before we launch into full retail overdrive tomorrow (watch for a deals/open thread feature tomorrow early morning), today is all about Turkey and Football.  Okay and family too.  Maybe.  Many of you will eat a version of the traditional holiday meal while seated around the table with various generations of your family tree.  Or maybe you’ll be at the in-laws.  Could be great.  Could be… not.  Each scenario doesn’t necessarily guarantee a relaxing time.  Sometimes it means you’re in for quite the opposite.

If your Thanksgiving day is less about kicking back & watching the game and more about awkwardly navigating your gene pool, you might be looking for an adult beverage at some point.  Drinks correspondent Ben Madeska has you covered with three options that are sure to brighten even the most headache inducing gatherings.  Bottoms up.  Here are Ben’s words and picks…
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#1 – Wine:  Beaujolais-Nouveau & Beaujolais-Villages

Beaujolais Nouveau is released the third Wednesday of November and is probably the freshest wine you’ll find.  Like, a few weeks ago it was still grapes hanging on a vine.  Ideally, this results in a soft, fruity wine.  It almost always reminds me of Kool-Aid and it drinks just as easy.

Unfortunately it’s become more of a novelty than anything and, at least in the US, you’re paying a premium for the air-freight to bring it over so we can pop a cork the same time as France.  That said, I buy a few bottles each year and almost always enjoy it.  You should be able to find George-Duboeuf everywhere, but don’t be afraid to try other
names.  Just try not to spend more than $15. It’s probably not worth it.

For a few bucks more and a notch up in quality (and in some cases, several notches) try a Beaujolais-Villages. There are ten crus to look for and each has a distinct character.  For entirely subjective and arbitrary reasons I prefer Juli©nas, Chiroubles and Morgon.  Whereas with Beaujolais-Nouveau you really don’t want to buy a bottle from previous vintage, Beaujolais-Villages wines will age for a few years.
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#2 – Beer:  Goose Island – Sofie, Matilda, Pere Jacques

I have a soft spot for Goose Island, and their beer has steadily been spreading from Chicago to the rest of the country. In general, Belgian style beers will work for Thanksgiving meals, and Goose Island makes some outstanding ones. “Sofie” is light and crisp with note of citrus and is a good beer to start with. “Matilda” is a bit heavier and spicier, while “Pere Jacques” would be the heaviest, maltiest of the three, with flavors of caramel, cloves and raisins.  Goose Island brews a number of other specialty Belgians and I recommend them all, but these three should be able to ease you through the holiday weekend.
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#3 – Spirits: Hot Buttered Rum

As long as you can get past the shame and self-loathing that inevitably comes with drinking a cocktail that includes butter as a key ingredient, Hot Buttered Rum may be the ideal Thanksgiving drink.  It’s basically a slice of pie in a glass. Sweet, alcoholic pie.

• 1 heaping tsp Brown Sugar
• A pinch each of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ground Clove, Lemon Peel
• 2 oz Rum
• Boiling Water
• Butter

Put Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ground Clove, and Lemon Peel in mug. Add Rum and fill mug with Boiling Water. Add lump of Butter and leave floating and melting on top. Enjoy.

One old recipe I found called for a “walnut” of butter.  As much as I like the concept of nut-based units of measurements, “walnut” may be a bit too much butter.  Perhaps a chestnut of butter?  A hazelnut?  As for the rum, I like a dark rum, such as Cruzan Black Strap.  Find what works for you.  Experiment freely.  It’s a holiday, after all.