Let's Be Thankful for These 3 Thanksgiving Cocktails
Turkey, cranberries, stuffing.... What a good Thanksgiving really should offer are creative and delicious cocktails. Exactly the reason why we caught up with Clint Rogers a mixologist at Chicago's Henri restaurant. Rogers loves going to work every day "honest," and when you taste his cocktails you know why. Anyone that gets their lips on these tasty drinks would be happy at work just as much as they would at happy hour. Rogers' obsession for flavors keeps Henri's bar-goers coming back again and again, so what better person to give us three cocktails to be oh-so thankful for this Thanksgiving.
1. John Irving (Named after the author who penned Cider House Rules)
2 oz. Buffalo Trace Bourbon
.75 oz. Averna Amaro
.75 oz. apple cider
.5 oz. lemon juice
.25 oz. Grade A maple syrup
1 dash Fee Bros. aromatic bitters
Shake and strain into rocks glass with ice
Garnish with cinnamon stick
2. Fall Gimlet
2 oz. Vodka
.75 oz Orange Cranberry cordial *(non-alcoholic recipe below)
1 oz. lime juice
Top with 1 oz. Perrier
Garnish with fresh herbs
Bring sugar, cranberries, orange juice, and water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
Cook two minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, and pour through a
wire-mesh strainer, pressing berries with back of a spoon. Discard solids. Store
in air-tight container
3. Bucktown Swizzle
1 oz. 100 Proof Rye Whiskey
.5 oz. Fernet Branca
.5 oz apricot liqueur
.5 oz. Orgeat*
.75 oz. lemon
Add ingredients to Collins glass
Add cracked ice
"Swizzle" by stirring back and forth in a twisting motion with barspoon or swizzle stick.
Top with 1 oz. Perrier
Garnish with fresh mint and lemon peel
Homemade Orgeat:
Soak 30 oz. of blanched almonds in water for 30 minutes.
Drain water and add 18 oz. of fresh water along with 2 oz. of Mandorlo almond infused grappa.
- Seal container and let rest over night.
- The next day add contents to blender and puree.
- Drain through a cheese cloth.
- Take the remaining liquid and add 2 cups of sugar.
- Bring just to a boil and then remove from heat.
- Add 5 dashes orange bitters and 1 tsp orange flower water.
Images by Anthony Tahlier
