x6dt83kwyek6iHappy Friendsgiving!

Friendsgiving means spending time with friends you’ve chosen, not the family that’s been forced upon you. Where conversation is light and fun, food is abundant, and alcohol is in mass quantities. Instead of trying to impress your friends with weird, complicated Pinterest recipes that will most likely end up looking nothing like the photos, get them sufficiently buzzed on some delicious Friendsgiving cocktails. We teamed up with BACARDI and SMIRNOFF to bring you 6 easy recipes that you and your friends will definitely be thankful for.

 1. BACARDÍ Friendsgiving Rum Punch

This punch will appeal to everyone from the pickiest spirits aficionado to the casual beer drinker. Bacardi

Ingredients:

  • 1 part BACARDÍ Gold rum
  • 1 part BACARDÍ Superioer rum
  • 3 parts Apple Cider
  • 2 parts lemonade (sweetened)
  • 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
  • 4 sticks of cinnamon (garnish)
  • 1 apple cut into slices (garnish)

Directions: In a large punch bowl, combine all ingredients with an ice block. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and apple slices. Serve on the rocks.

2. Treacle

This cocktail is an impressive yet straightforward drink to sip on this Friendsgiving. banks-treacleMade with BANKS 7 Golden Age Rum, it is a complex, full flavored drink with a dryer flavor than most Golden Rum cocktails.

Ingredients:

  • 2 parts BANKS 7 Golden Age Rum
  • 1 part apple cider
  • 5 parts Grade B Maple Syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Directions: Stir with ice and strain into a double old-fashioned glass filled with one large cube.

3. The Original Moscow Mule

SMIRNOFF Brings It Back To The 1940s With An Experiential Dinner To Tell The Story Of Its Invention Of The Iconic Cocktail, The Moscow MuleThis cocktail is for the minimalist. No need to stalk up on fancy ingredients. The Original Moscow Mule is perfected with only three, making it the perfect cocktail to bring to holiday gatherings.

Ingredients:

  • 5 oz. SMIRNOFF No. 21 vodka
  • 4 oz. premium ginger beer
  • Fresh lime

Directions: In a copper mug with ice, add SMIRNOFF No. 21 vodka, ginger beer and a squeeze of lime and stir. Garnish with a fresh lime slice.

4. Cranberry Apple Rosemary Sangria (serves 16)

This is for the whole squad. Whether it’s time for brunch, watching football or enjoyed a slice (or three) of apple pie. (Courtesy of Megan Marlowe, Strawberry Blondie Kitchen).

Ingredients:image003

  • Cinnamon Rosemary Simple Syrup
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup water
    • 2-3 springs of rosemary
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Cranberry Apple Rosemary Sangria
    • 3 apples, diced
    • 2 pears, diced
    • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
    • 1 orange, thinly sliced
    • 1 cup SMIRNOFF Sourced Cranberry Apple
    • ½ cup triple sec
    • 2 bottles of white wine
    • 1 cup of Cinnamon Rosemary Simple Syrup
    • 32 oz. club soda

Directions:

  • Cinnamon Rosemary Simple Syrup: In a small pot, bring water and sugar to a boil. Drop in rosemary and cinnamon sticks and stir until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool completely.
  • Cranberry Apple Rosemary Sangria: In a large pitcher, place fruit into the bottom. Top with SMIRNOFF Sourced Cranberry Apple, triple sec, wine and simple syrup. Stir to combine. Refiigerate for 6 hours up to overnight. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, rosemary spring and/or frozen fruit.

5. The Apple Cider Mule

image005For those who prefer to drink their dessert, this one’s for you. Out with the apple pie, in with the apple cocktail! (Courtesy of Kendra Darr, Simply Darrling)

Ingredients:

  • 5 oz. SMIRNOFF No. 21 vodka
  • 3 oz. premium ginger beer
  • 2 oz. apple cider
  • Splash of simple syrup
  • Apple slice and caramel sauce for garnish

Directions: In a cocktail shaker, combine the Smirnoff vodka, ginger beer, apple cider and simple syrup and shake. Then rim a copper mug with caramel sauce. Pour cocktail over ice into the copper mug and garnish with an apple slice.

 

6. Spicy Moscow Mule

image007For those who love the heat, this is a kicked up version of the original Moscow Mule, incorporating Serrano peppers and fresh mint sprigs for a surprising twist. (Courtesy of Annette Vartanian, A Vintage Splendor)

Ingredients:

  • 1 thinly sliced Serrano pepper
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 5 oz. SMIRNOFF No. 21 vodka
  • 1 cup premium ginger beer
  • 2 lime wheels/wedges for garnish
  • 2 fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Directions: Put cupper mugs in freezer for 5 minutes to chill. Squeeze lime juice and drop in 1-2 Serrano pepper slices in copper mug. Use the back of a wooden spoon to muddle together the Serrano slices and lime juice. Pour in vodka and stir. Fill copper mug with ice and top off the ginger beer. Serve with additional Serrano slices, a lime wedge, and a mint sprig for garnish.