How to…give Thanks, American style

True, not everyone will be celebrating Thanksgiving today but for those who are, or for anyone who loves a reason to party, here are a couple of recipes to get you in the holiday spirit. Naturally, American liquor is key.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Squash

70ml Maker’s Mark bourbon
30ml orange juice
20ml lemon juice
1 teaspoon simple syrup
Slice of orange and lemon for garnish

Method:
Squeeze citrus juices into a tall glass. Drop in the orange and lemon. Add simple syrup and pack the glass with shaved ice. Add Maker’s Mark and stir. Serve with a cocktail straw.

Hot Apple Jerry

1 part Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
2 parts apple cider
2-3 slices of orange
3-5 cinnamon sticks
3-5 cloves

Method:
Combine ingredients in order above in a crock-pot and stir. Heat up and serve in teacups as needed. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Boozy Pecan Pie

3 eggs
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup sugar
2 tbs Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1 9-inch frozen deep dish pie crust

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 375º degrees.
2) Whisk eggs in a large bowl.
3) Add the next five ingredients (dark corn syrup through vanilla) mix until well incorporated.
4) Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.
5) Pour pie filling into unbaked pie crust.
6) Bake at 375º for 10 minutes then lower temperature to 350º and bake for another 25-35 minutes until pie is set.
7) Allow to cool then serve with whipped cream.

The Cocktail Lovers say…

If you prefer someone else to do the hard work, try the special Thanksgiving cocktail on the menu at 45 Park Lane. Here the cocktail starts as a vodka based martini changing colour and flavour profile through an ice infusion of nutmeg, clove and cinnamon.
45 Park Lane, London W1K 1PN. dorchestercollection.com.

This week we’re loving…

Staying with the Thanksgiving theme, it’s Americana a-go-go at Steam & Rye, the new restaurant, bar and party place from Nick House and Kelly Brook. It’s big, it’s kitsch, it’s in the former Bank of America and with our man Andy Mil serving up cocktails like Mississippi Lullaby, Kansas City Shuffle, Monica Lewinsky and Hoochy Mama, it’s got good times written all over it.
Steam & Rye, 147 Leadenhall Street, EC3V 4QT. steamandrye.com.

As featured on The Independent, Dish of the Day blog 30/11/2013

The Cocktail Lovers

The Cocktail Lovers are Mr G and Ms S, a man and a woman who share a passion for cocktails. (We also happen to be married, so we’re cocktail lovers in more ways than one…)