Cocktails to help you dominate the holidays: Sparkling Grand Apple Sidecar
With a little apple brandy, apple cider and Grand Marnier, this drink will make you look like a superstar during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Editor’s note: From now until Christmas, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite holiday cocktails. Some are tried and true classics, while others are experimentations or new ones I’ve learned from bartenders, cocktail books or online. If you’d like to suggest anything, please respond to this email or share in the comments section. Cheers!
Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and as a card-carrying member of the Domesticated Suburban Zaddy Collective, it is my duty to make sure that the Turkey Day festivities are up to par. Of course, I don’t know how to chill, so I have once again given myself way too much to do.
Growing up, the men in my family were NOWHERE near the kitchen. My grandfather would relax in his recliner chair — either in his room or the living room — and prepare dutifully for FOOTBALL to be played. My cousin would set up shop in his own room, playing a new game he rented at Blockbuster (Pause for the kids reading — back in the day, we used to go to a physical store and rent movies and games for 2-3 days for roughly $3-5 each. Yes I know, the struggle is real.) as he attempted to beat Final Fantasy V, Wolfenstein or Dragon Quest.
As for me? I did hold it down in Grandpa’s recliner to watch the game when he let me. However, I also knew how to occasionally dip my head in the kitchen, where the womenfolk worked their magic. Reason being? Samples.
My mom would always sneak me a corner of yams when they came out of the oven. My aunt let me lick the bowl or the beaters from whatever cake she made. My grandmother? Queen Matriarch. She might let me get a piece of sweet potato pie BEFORE dinner. And do you know why?
Because I was a handsome boy, and they wanted peace in the house so they could get everything ready for dinner. They all had worked 1-2 days ahead to make Thursday as smooth as possible.
When in doubt, simplify, because the men will eat whatever was on the table. Just keep some combination of The O’Jays, Toni Braxton and good drinks in rotation while everything’s in motion.
In our house, that musical rotation will likely be a blend of Anderson. Paak, Beyonce and Future. As for good drinks, you see the Sidecar and Sangria (coming soon) above. Both cocktails are great for batching, which I plan to do because what I’m not about to do is make drinks for 10-15 people throughout the day’s festivities.
I made this last night for my wife and me to try to ensure it’s worthy of the Turkey Day menu.
“I love it, babe,” said The Wife. “You get the Sidecar but you also get mimosa vibes with the sparkling wine, and you get the determine how much of each you want.”
“I’m assuming you’d prefer more Sidecar versus sparkling wine, yes?” I asked.
“You know me so well.” The Wife replied.
Indeed. It makes the menu.
Recipe: Sparkling Grand Apple Sidecar
Serve: Champagne or wine glass OR a red cup (because Thanksgiving can be a party too)
Garnish: Lemon wedge
Ingredients: Serves four (if making a batch, multiply this by 4x)
3 ounces apple brandy (Laird's 100 Proof is about $30)
2 ounces Grand Marnier (Cointreau, triple sec or any orange liqueur works fine)
2 ounces fresh lemon juice OR 2 lemons
4 ounces apple cider
Champagne, prosecco or sparkling wine (chilled)
Make the cocktail: Add the apple brandy, Grand Marnier, lemon juice and apple cider into a shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Strain and divide among four glasses, filling up to halfway. Fill the rest of the glass with your chilled bubbly.
Batch cocktail notes: If you make a batch version with the 4x multiplier, add all ingredients into a pitcher, plus you’ll need to add 10-11oz of water (20% of the cocktail mixture, which is 44 oz). Stir and refrigerate. Pour into glasses when ready to serve, and top off with sparkling wine.
This drink will take you less than 5 minutes to make and will elevate your Turkey Day festivities. Remember that you’re helping yourself as much as your guests because you’ll likely have other things you’re trying to get ready for dinner. Just enjoy the music, the game, the people, the food and the drinks as much as possible throughout. Cheers.