Hey, Reader!
Thanksgiving is Nov. 26, which is 18 days away. That sounds like plenty of time until you start the grocery list.
Apple pie is my job every year, so I’d like everything else on the table to be easy. This email is to help you get ahead too: drinks for every guest, a few bites you can make early and a free planner to keep it all straight.
Here’s a look at what I’m making this month:
this month’s mood ✨
November is the month of getting ready. Friendsgiving comes first for a lot of us, then Thanksgiving, then the holiday season starts before the dishes are even dry.
My plan is to get ahead so the day itself feels easy. That includes the drinks. People skip alcohol for all kinds of reasons, and a good mocktail should sit right next to the whiskey so no one feels like an afterthought. Make room for both and everyone at the table feels looked after.
your free thanksgiving planner 📝
I’m refreshing my Thanksgiving planner, and it’s free if you want it. It’s a simple grocery list printout, nothing fancy, just something to make the next few weeks a little easier.
cocktails to bookmark 🍸
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cranberry sauce old-fashioned
I love a cocktail that uses what’s already on the grocery list. A spoonful of cranberry sauce adds tart fruit and a little body to the whiskey, and it gives that extra can a purpose.
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maple manhattan
Maple syrup softens the whiskey and adds a toasty note that suits a November evening. It’s what I’d pour after a long day of cooking.
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spiced hot buttered rum
Rum gets its moment here, with butter, brown sugar and warm spices melted into a mug. It’s rich, cozy and made for a cold night after dinner.
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drinks everyone will love 🍹
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cranberry orange mocktail
Tart cranberry and bright orange make this one feel festive without any alcohol. Serve it in a pretty glass with a garnish and it looks as special as everything else on the table.
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pear mocktail
Pear is gentle and a little floral, which pairs well with rich holiday food. It’s an easy pour for anyone who wants something that feels like a real drink.
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non-alcoholic mulled “wine”
Your kitchen will smell like the holidays while this simmers on the stove. Keep it warm in a slow cooker and let guests help themselves.
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easy party bites 🌿
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cranberry brie bites
Sweet cranberry and creamy brie in one bite is hard to beat. They come together fast, which helps when the oven is already full.
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sweet potato toast bites
These bring fall flavor to the appetizer table without much effort. Make a double batch, because they go quickly.
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sugared cranberries
Sparkly, tart and pretty enough to pass for a centerpiece. Make them a day ahead and use them to garnish anything you pour.
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trending right now 🔥
These are the recipes everyone’s making right now:
- Homemade Cocktail Infusion Kits: Jars you can make now and gift later, or keep on hand for company.
- Freezer Door Cocktails: Mix a batch ahead, chill it and pour when guests arrive.
- Apple Cider Margaritas: Fall flavor with a little zip, and easy to scale for a crowd.
- Russian Tea: A warm citrus punch that makes about 3 quarts and is alcohol-free.
- Caramel Brûlée Latte: Caramel richness in a café-style latte you can make at home.
coming up soon... 👀
Hosting this year? I'm teaching two workshops next week:
- Three holiday cocktails you batch ahead and pour from a pitcher. I'll be at Holiday Kitchen Kickoff on Nov. 13. It's free. Grab your spot here »
- Make-ahead garnishes for those holiday cocktails. Catch that one on Nov. 12 during the free HobbyScool Elves’ Workshop Summit, Nov. 10 to 12. Sign up here »
And one more date to circle: Dry January. I’m setting up the list now, and if you’re curious about a thoughtful, no-pressure alcohol-free month, you can join to be the first to hear what I have planned. Get on the list »
Save this email for the next few weeks, pick one drink and one bite and put them on your menu today. You’ll thank yourself on Nov. 25.
Cin cin!*
Susannah
P.S. If you’re hosting Friendsgiving, hit reply and tell me what you’re serving. I read every one.
*That’s “cheers” in Italian, pronounced CHIN-chin. It’s said to imitate the sound of glasses clinking.
free holiday workshops
diy garnishes
nov. 10-12: elves workshop summit
Learn to make show-stopping garnishes for your holiday cocktails. Plus gifts, crafts and decor from 31 other creators.
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batch drinks
nov. 13: holiday kitchen kickoff
Learn to batch three holiday drinks. I’ll be live in the chat! Plus cooking and baking tips from 10+ amazing food pros.
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