Thanksgiving is on the way, and we all know what that means: it’s time to fend off overbearing relatives. This year, aside from the token, “When are you getting married?” and “Is working on the Internet really a job, dear?” questions, Thanksgiving is probably going to involve getting into full-blown arguments about the 45th President of the United States. To keep your cool (and keep from getting into a fistfight with your NRA-card-carrying cousins), why not try out some of these tasty fall cocktails? There might be at least one that everyone can agree on.

1. Batman

Recently added to the menu of JIMMY at The James in New York by mixologist Johnny Swet, this dark-hued drink actually contains quite a bit of bright flavor. Blackwell rum and activated charcoal form the earthy base, which is the perfect foil for lime, pineapple, and mint.

Ingredients

2 oz Blackwell Rum
¼ teaspoon Activated Charcoal
2 oz Pineapple Juice
.5 oz Lime Juice
.5 oz Agave
grilled pineapple chunks and mint

DIrections

Muddle a bar spoon of grilled pineapple chunks and mint in a tall glass. Combine the rum and activated charcoal, and shake and strain into the glass. Add crushed ice and swizzle, and garnish with pineapple and mint.

2. Star of Autumn

The Star of Autumn is a warming cocktail that pairs really well with Thanksgiving desserts like pumpkin pie. It features Facundo Neo rum, which offers a balanced blend of medium-to heavy-bodied rums aged up to eight years and filtered over activated carbon to remove any color. Combined with Applejack and maple syrup, this cocktail is a delicious salute to fall flavors.

Ingredients

1 ½ parts Facundo Neo rum
1 part Laird’s Applejack
¼ part Maple Syrup
¼ part lemon juice
Granny Smith apple, for garnish

Directions

Shake all of the ingredients with plenty of ice. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a thin apple wedge or curled apple peel, and serve.

3. Chicken Soup Hot Toddy

We’ve never met a more intriguing drink than this chicken soup hot toddy. Swet’s creation, a blend of hot chicken stock, celery bitters, and gin, is the warming cold-weather drink we’ve been waiting all our lives for — and it might keep Grandma occupied long enough to keep her from saying racist things in front of your new boyfriend.

Ingredients

1 oz Nolet’s Gin
1 dash celery bitters
.25 lemon juice
4 oz hot chicken stock
1 carrot stick
1 celery stick
Parsley, to garnish

Directions

Pour into snifter. Garnish with carrot, celery stick, and parsley.

4. Spiced Mexican Hot Chocolate

This is the perfect drink to serve as a nightcap or after dinner drink. It’s warm and cozy, making everyone think of happier times, with white Christmases and a White House that didn’t seem so apocalyptically terrifying.

Ingredients

5 oz hot chocolate (homemade or from a mix)
1 oz Reposado El Tesoro Tequila
1 oz Ancho Reyes Chili Liquor
pinch of cinnamon
marshmallow

Directions

Add the tequila and chili liquor to a mug. Add the hot chocolate and stir. Garnish with a marshmallow dusted with cinnamon.

5. Seoul Man

This drink was inspired by Swet’s love of salty Korean food, but it also makes a great pre-dinner cocktail. It’s just spicy enough, and the combo of soju and vodka might get you drunk enough to be able to ignore your great uncle talking about ways to Make America Great Again.

Ingredients

ginger
1.5 oz soju
1.5 oz cucumber vodka
.5 sweet mirin
.25 oz lemon juice
2 bar spoons of gouchujang
chili salted cucumber, for garnish

Directions

Muddle the ginger in a glass. Shake the soju, cucumber vodka, mirin, and lemon juice with the gouchujang and ice. Strain into the glass and garnish with chili salted cucumber.

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The post 5 Fall Cocktails to Distract You from What Will Probably Be the Worst Thanksgiving Drama Ever appeared first on EcoSalon.

Of course, we are all ready to see friends and family, swig some yummy holiday cocktails, and munch on party food. It’s what makes this time of year so special. But the number one mistake people make with hostess gifts, other than not giving them? Waiting until the last minute to pick them out.

Stocking up early means all you have to think about is what to wear. Wondering when it is appropriate to bring a gift? If you follow Emily Post’s advice, there are few events that do not warrant a hostess gift. And when in doubt, it never hurts to bring a little something.

So, get shopping for these holiday hostess gifts that are green, healthy, and sure to please any hardworking soiree thrower.

7 Green Holiday Hostess Gifts to Buy Now

Consumables are a hostess favorite. They are fun to receive, often a luxury item that someone would not ordinarily purchase for themselves, and (maybe best of all) they go away so they don’t need to make a permanent spot for a new item. Any of the following are sure to be welcome.

1. A bottle of something sparkling: You know your hostess will receive a bottle of wine or two. A sparkling wine is more fun and something she can save for a special occasion (or later that night!). Not a drinker? Can’t go wrong with a sparkling cider, especially for a host with children.

2. A beautiful little bouquet: You may have heard that you should not bring flowers as a hostess gift because finding a vase adds a new task to an already busy hostess list. Still, there are few party givers who’d actually frown on a beautiful bouquet. How about something special? Like a farm fresh, artisan bouquet. Have delivered to your hostess’ home before the party starts.

3. A lovely hand lotion: Everyone’s skin gets dry this time of year. After all the hard work of party planning, give the gift of smooth, soft skin with a luxe hand lotion.

4. Say cheese: A chunk of high-quality cheese can pinch hit if appetizers run low quickly, or as a treat for your host the next day. Hit your local Whole Foods Market for a good selection. No clue where to start? Check out this handy cheese shopping guide.

5. For the sweet tooth: French macarons are as pretty to look at as they are delicious. The perfect gift. Choose sweet treats made with the best ingredients. May we suggest an assortment?

6. The day after: Throwing a holiday bash isn’t easy. It takes days, even weeks, to pull off a good party. Give your hostess the gift of bliss with detoxifying bath salts. Throw in some Moon Juice Good Night Dust for a fresh start.

7. For the home: Help your host set the tone with a seasonal home scent. A candle made with natural ingredients with cedar fragrance brings the outside in and is perfect for the season.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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