Thanksgiving gatherings may look different this year, but at least there’s still booze
Brown Bag picks for socially-distant Thanksgiving dinners
When the world stopped in March, none of us knew what this meant for the rest of the year. What would Memorial Day look like? The Fourth of July? Halloween, too? Now it’s time for Thanksgiving, and things are kinda sorta at a standstill. While it’s certainly a little disappointing (or a lot, depending on how much you love your extended family) that the big family get-togethers aren’t happening, there are certainly plenty of positives to the quarantine-style, socially-distant Thanksgiving gatherings on the horizon. For example, when your uncle says something ridiculous at the dinner table, now you can just mute him instead of getting into an argument. And we all joke about unbuttoning our pants from getting too full after the Thanksgiving meal, but now you can actually take your pants off if you want thanks to Zoom. It’s your prerogative.
Yes, things look different this year, but no, that doesn’t mean you have to drink any less. Check out our recommendations for how to make the most of your socially-distant Thanksgiving dinners. From a booze perspective, of course.
Brown Bag Selects: The Old Friend Cocktail
Like catching up with an old friend, the first sip of the Old Friend cocktail by Basil Hayden’s will instantly have you feeling all warm and fuzzy and nostalgic. It’s our November Cocktail of the Month, and it’s made with 3/4 parts Basil Hayden’s® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 3/4 part Campari® Liqueur, 1/2 part dry vermouth and an orange peel garnish. It only takes a few minutes to prepare, which is perfect if you’re going to be busy cooking a turkey and all the classic Thanksgiving fixings. It has a light spice flavor and citrus aroma, so it works both as a pairing to your appetizers (see how it complements the aged cheddar on your charcuterie board) or as a nightcap to your dessert.
Brown Bag Selects: Riesling, Riesling, Riesling
What’s your go-to Thanksgiving wine? If we’re talking white wine, it’s got to be Riesling for us. Riesling is perfect for Thanksgiving because most people enjoy it (though that’s not a problem this year with significantly fewer people in-person) and because it pairs well with so many Thanksgiving foods. There are many different types and flavors of Riesling. It can be dry or sweet and light or full. Its natural acidity makes it the perfect complement to rich dishes like green bean casserole, turkey with gravy and stuffing. It’s also perfect to keep around for the dessert portion of the Zoom call, as it pairs nicely with all the best Thanksgiving desserts. The real question is, are you going pumpkin pie or pecan with your glasses of wine?
Riesling to try: Chateau Ste Michelle Dry Riesling, Tussock Jumper or A to Z Riesling
Brown Bag Selects: Pinot Noir
Not all wine is created equal, and that’s certainly true of reds. Luckily, we know a thing or two about them. That’s why we recommend you keep a few bottles of Pinot Noir on hand for your Thanksgiving FaceTimes. Like a nice Riesling, Pinot Noir is perfect for Thanksgiving because it pairs well with so many different foods, and because it’s generally well-received by red wine fans and non-red wine fans alike. Pinot Noir tastes delicious after hearty bites of mashed potatoes and both light and dark turkey, but it’s a real showstopper when paired with cranberry flavors. Follow a bite of cranberry with a sip of your Pinot Noir, and let us know what you think.
Pinot Noir to try: La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir, Iris Vineyards Willamette or Sean Minor
There you have it! You can survive your family’s Thanksgiving Zoom calls with Basil Hayden’s and a nice bottle of Riesling or Pinot Noir. For more hand sanitizer and masks, tips and weekly specials, be sure to like Brown Bag Liquor on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Happy Thanksgiving, and stay safe and sane out there!