Each month Chilled presents you with five essential cocktails based on our National Drink DayCalendar.
Don’t forget to reference it so you can prepare for the upcoming holidays. November is a month that invites creativity behind the bar. Guests will be searching for drinks to carry them into the colder months and satisfy the want for autumn’s flavors. From bold concoctions to approachable sips, this month’s essential cocktails are going to help spark inspiration. Think seasonal flavors like apple, cinnamon, and citrus with warming spirits like whiskey, tequila, and brandy, to create cocktails that are both comforting and memorable for your guests.
These five essential cocktails combine technique, flavor, and presentation to create drinks that perfectly balance tradition and celebration. If your cocktail menu is feeling stale and inspiration is lacking, use these recipes as an opportunity to elevate your lineup this season.
Ghost Margarita
Begin the month by celebrating the Mexican holiday, Día de Los Muertos, on November 1 and 2. The Ghost Margarita highlights the agave spirit and engages the senses in a way that is suited for the holiday. The addition of the baking spice syrup brings warmth from flavors like cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, which are often used in seasonal treats like pan de muerto. It’s a delightful cocktail that will bring together those in conversation, perfect for raising a glass in remembrance and celebration.
Apple Pie Shot
Why dig into dessert when you can drink it instead? Celebrate National Shot Day on November 8 with a festive and cozy option, namely the Apple Pie Shot. It’s a warming combination of vodka and cinnamon schnapps topped off with fresh apple juice to highlight the seasonal flavors. The shot can be premade in large batches, so it’s ready to go when someone is looking to toast to the day.
Sorry Mrs. Jamson
If you’re looking for a non-traditional way to celebrate the Spanish red on International Tempranillo Day (11/13), look no further. Rather than being the base of the cocktail, the Tempranillo is what tops off the drink, so with each sip, you get to experience its fruity profile. This layered approach is not only pleasing to the eye, but it showcases the wine in a way that offers different ways to utilize the ingredients behind the bar.
Apple Cider Sangria
There is no better way to enjoy National Apple Cider Day on November 18 than with a drink that highlights the crisp sweetness of apples. The combination of cognac and brandy gives this cocktail the boozy kick it needs while still allowing the other flavors to shine through. It’s a fall lover’s dream cocktail that will be ordered again and again throughout the season. Garnish it off with freshly cubed apples and orange slices to bring the essence of autumn to the glass.
Espresso Ginger Martini
Go beyond the standard coffee cocktail and give this twist a try. On National Espresso Day (11/23), offer something that still highlights the deep and rich flavor of espresso while adding a modern flair to it. The Espresso Ginger Martini is an unexpected balance of warmth, spice, and richness. The addition of ginger brings a zesty spice that complements the bitterness beautifully and stays on theme with the fall cocktail scene. It may be questioned at first, but it quickly becomes a favorite with its bold, memorable flavor and seasonal appeal.
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Source: Mixology News
