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Halloween has been celebrated (or hidden from), and as we notice temperatures dropping and the shops beginning to bring in the Christmas decorations, Pumpkin lattes are barely off the menu, and coffee shops are bringing in the "red" cups.

But between Halloween and Christmas, we have on 28 November 2024.

U.S. citizens celebrate this federal holiday globally. Celebrations may include homely family meals, where people give thanks and count blessings; some will volunteer to help those who don't have such ease in life. But overall, it's a time to take stock.

So, where do whiskey and bourbon fit in with Thanksgiving? Well, it can be linked to the celebration of harvests(wheat, corn, rye, and barley), the grains needed to create those fantastic spirits, to making celebratory cocktails and sipping drams at the end of a shared meal.

You can read about the history of Thanksgiving on our blog from last year by clicking here: Barrel Global

Now, let's get back to focusing on whiskey and bourbon!

Over time, celebrations have changed in line with society's changes. We see families realizing their own traditions as well as enjoying more nationally observed activities. This may include types of food and how and where the celebration takes place.

Turkey*, of course, maintains its central role, excluding the lucky few who may be pardoned by the President. This will be served with vegetables, potatoes, gravies, breads, and sauces. Depending on your family or your culture, you may see corn in many guises, seafood, macaroni cheese, and, dare we mention, the controversial sweet potato and marshmallow dish.

Then, apple pie and pumpkin pie are excellent seasonal dessert dishes.

An excellent article from Lonely Planet covers more on local Thanksgiving food choices. See it here: Regional Thanksgiving foods of the US - Lonely Planet

(* For those who choose not to eat meat, of course, there are many seasonal alternatives. Stuffed pumpkins and veggie roasts are two examples. See the link below.)

Last but by no means least, we have Thanksgiving Beverages.

Without the crops and harvests we give thanks for, there would be no bourbon or whiskey. Let's give thanks to those distilleries that bring us those crops in a delectable bottle of great liquid. The distilleries that support local communities and collaborate with local farmers, keeping provenance and soul in their liquid.

Create great Thanksgiving cocktails to greet your guests and settle them in while you are putting the final touches to dinner.

A simple Thanksgiving cocktail could be a twist on the Whiskey Sour:

• 8 oz. bourbon or whiskey 
• 16 oz. apple cider or Perry (pear cider)
• Juice of one lemon
• Brown sugar for rim 

Directions:

Step 1: Grab a pitcher and pour in your favorite bourbon or whiskey

Step 2: Add lemon and apple cider

Step 3: Stir well to combine ingredients.

Tip: If you want it really cold, shake it with ice instead of stirring it, but remove the ice before serving so you don't have a watered-down drink.

Step 4: Add a sugary rim

(Credit to Martha Stewart viaTaste of Home)

We can add a measure of bourbon or whiskey to the pies or even the gravies (don't worry, the heat from cooking will remove the alcohol but leave the flavor so children can still eat it).

Lastly, wrap your night up by pouring a dram and sitting in your living room, sharing the moment with friends and family.

The only way you can make this moment even better is by sharing your own bourbon or whiskey, which, of course, we can help you with. See the final paragraph for a link to get you started.

Vegan Thanksgiving Menu Ideas - Vegan Thanksgiving Menu Ideas (25+ Recipes that everyone loves) - Vegan Richa

Barrel Global is on a mission to make whiskey barrel ownership accessible to collectors worldwide. As the first-ever global marketplace for whiskey barrels, you can connect with distilleries and collectors worldwide to build your own portfolio. For a whiskey experience unlike any other, request access today by clicking here: Barrel Global

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Thanks to Paz Arando for the photograph, via Unsplash.

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