cranberry bourbon negroni with sugared rim

Are.YOU.Ready?

(uh, sort of?)

(maybe?)

(i dunno?)

(eff.)

Thanksgiving is happening in 2.56709325 seconds. I know you are ready. Me? Almost ready. The parental units arrive today, which means, its almost game time. The strategy for tomorrow’s feast….I am in charge of the turkey beast, stuffing, and taters. While my mama is in charge of the piyahs! If all the savory stuff goes south at least there is pie. Am I right?

Even though there is a large probability that we may be eating Chinese food tomorrow, what’s more important is that I get to spend time with family and friends. Because what’s the point of eating green bean casserole if you can’t talk about whether fried crispy onions on top are necessary? Or, talk about the fact that Thanksgiving is now just an excuse to get started early on holiday shopping? Or, whether or not Journey is a better band than Boston? (Journey is totally better!)

So, with today’s drink, I thought we should toast to Thanksgiving. Oh, shoot. You might want to know what it is you are exactly drinking? It’s only mostly acid. Just kidding. Maybe.

Really, this is my first attempt at making a Negroni. I say, this may be my new favorite cocktail my friends. I’ve never tried Campari, a famous Italian bitters, but after adding a splash of this to some bourbon and cranberry soda, I was ready to drink in the holidays.

Now, if you’ll raise your glass.

Let’s toast to family, friends, and strangers in between. May we all remember to take care of each other on good days and bad. May we be reminded to give a part of ourselves all year round whether great or small. And may we always laugh at the impossible because anything is possible. Cheers to all of you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Print Recipe

Cranberry Bourbon Negroni with Sugared Rim

Yield: Serve 2 to 3

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

4 ounces pure cranberry soda
2 ounces bourbon
2 ounces Campari
2 ounces sweet vermouth
Ice cubes
3 orange twists, garnish
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 orange wedge

Directions:

In a cocktail shaker, add cranberry soda, bourbon, Campari, and vermouth. Top the shaker with a lid and give it a good shake. Pour sugar on a plate. Take a glass and rub the rim of the glass with the orange wedge. Flip the glass upside and dunk the rim into the sugar. Next, fill the glass halfway full of ice. Pour the cranberry bourbon mixture into the glass and garnish with an orange peel.

adapted from Rachel Ray Magazine

All images and text ©Lauren Grier for The Curious Plate