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Whisky Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner

Whisky Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner

Whisky is one of the most versatile spirits known to man. It’s incredibly satisfying on its own, shines in a cocktail, and adds new dimensions to all your favorite recipes. As holiday gatherings approach, why not up the ante with new Thanksgiving recipes?

Today, we are covering a few easy ways to get cooking with whisky, ideas for what to serve at your Thanksgiving party, and the best whisky cocktails to take you from cocktail hour through dinner, dessert, and beyond.

Thanksgiving Recipes with Whisky

When you’re cooking with whisky, quality and flavor matter. Pendleton® Whisky has the complexity, depth, and character to enhance traditional Thanksgiving dishes, whether as a recipe ingredient or paired with your specialties. Here are a few of our favorite ideas for this year.

Grilling meat with whiskey

COOKING WITH WHISKY

Whisky has a complex character that elevates most dishes, from savory appetizers to meats and baking.Whisky has a complex character that elevates most dishes, from savory appetizers to meats and baking.

  • WHISKY GLAZE FOR TURKEY
    Whisky glaze can be used to baste the bird during cooking, brushed on the crispy skin before carving, and drizzled over the meat to serve. Combine 1 cup of butter, ½ cup (or to taste) of maple syrup (or honey), 8 oz of Pendleton® 1910 Rye, ½ cup of fresh apple cider, and generous gratings of black pepper in a pot. Cook until it thickens to a glaze consistency. Be sure to keep an eye on the bird as it’s cooking, as the glaze will darken quickly. We recommend low and slow oven temperatures or only glazing during the final hour.
    PAIRING IDEA: Serve with our famous 1910 Whisky Sour cocktail to whet the tastebuds for each bite.
  • WHISKY CREAM GRAVY

    Whisk together 4 oz of Pendleton® Whisky Original, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 2 cloves of garlic minced or pressed (optional), a handful of chopped shallots, and ½ cup of stock until thickened. Serve on mashed potatoes, turkey, or any savory pie.
    PAIRING IDEA: Try it with our Cinnamon Re-Ride cocktail for a spicy fall-inspired sidekick.
  • WHISKY PUMPKIN PIE

    Use your best pumpkin pie recipe, but to ensure the filling isn’t too runny, reduce the amount of heavy cream by half, add a tin of sweetened condensed milk, 3 tablespoons of Pendleton® Whisky Midnight, and 1/3 cup of dark maple syrup.
    PAIRING IDEA: Serve with Pendleton® Whisky Midnight neat or our signature Country Pumpkin cocktail.

More Whisky-Inspired Thanksgiving Party Ideas and Tips

What could be better than whisky lovers gathering over a shared passion for culinary delights and palate enrichment?

To ensure your party is a rip-roaring success, here are a few expert tips to help you prepare.

1. PLAN YOUR MENU

Choose what you’ll serve and purchase specialty ingredients well in advance of the big day. Fresh lemon juice can be squeezed in advance and frozen, but simple syrup must be made as close to the event as possible because it has a shelf life of about ten days.

2. Pick two or three cocktails and pre-batch

 Pre-batching cocktails gives you more time to make holiday memories with your guests. Check out some of our favorite Pendleton® Whisky cocktail recipes that are guaranteed to satisfy. Think about how many drinks you’ll need and multiply each recipe by that number. Do this the day before the party, and you’ll be the host with the most. 

3. STOCK THE BAR

Order enough whisky to serve guests and supplement your recipes. Plan for two or three drinks per person over the course of the day and evening. Luckily, you can order Pendleton® Whisky online and have it delivered to your door—done and check!

4. GET YOUR BAR TOOLS READY

When planning your cocktails, ensure you have adequate glassware to serve each drink and the right tools to mix them up like a pro. Check our Ultimate Whisky Bar Setup guide for inspiration, and shop our barware for any tools you might still need.

5. KEEP PLENTY OF MIXERS ON HAND

Ensure you keep a good stock of whisky-friendly mixers ready, such as apple juice or fresh pressed apple cider, sodas, coffee, and even tea. Most can double as zero-proof drinks for designated drivers and kids.

Friends enjoying whisky while grilling

Happy Thanksgiving from the Pendleton® Whisky Family to Yours

We wish all of you a happy and delicious Thanksgiving! The holidays are the best time to indulge in culinary experiences, and we’re here to make it easy. Our guide to Hosting a Holiday Party with Pendleton® Whisky can help you get even more ideas!

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