Making a House Cocktail is the Nicest Thing You Can Do for Yourself This Thanksgiving

It's almost like hiring a bartender.

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner — or really any holiday gathering with friends and family — batched cocktails may just be the lifesaver you never knew you needed. Versatile, crowd-pleasing, and generally easy to make, a large-format cocktail is something everyone can drink instead of fussing over too many options. They will not only save you time at the bar, they’re also customizable, festive, and delicious; even the pros stand behind batching boozy drinks before a big day.  

Why you should make a batched cocktail

Above all, batching cocktails before a big gathering not only maximizes time, but also promises uniformity in the drinks served. “The benefits of doing batched cocktails ensure consistency and efficiency; it is just a matter of preparation,” says Jeremy LeBlanche, beverage director at Blu On the Hudson. LeBlanche notes that once the batch is done, it’s simply a matter of how fast you can serve the cocktail and handle the crowd at hand. Not only does this mean more quality time with family and guests — it also means less time slaving over a shaker in the kitchen.

Kevin Muniz, bartender at New York-based Gab’s bar, likes how preparing batched cocktails for Thanksgiving means that guests will have a libation in their hand within minutes of arriving. “I also think that it’s a nice communal experience,” he says, acknowledging that all guests will be enjoying the same drink at the same time.

Michael Beck, beverage director at Union Square Cafe, finds that in addition to consistency, batching cocktails offers a serious reprieve when hosting family and friends. “You can prepare your drinks, ice, glassware, and garnish ahead of time, and all of your guests will be impressed with your efficiency behind your 'bar,’” he says. Russell Pangilinan, bartender at Caviar Russe, agrees. “A festive house cocktail is a great way to gather everyone together in one part of the house and to talk over sips.”

How to make new family traditions with a house cocktail

Whether you’re a long-standing host or new to the concept, adding a tradition to your holiday rolodex — in this case, with a house drink — is always a welcome touch. Muniz reveals that in bar owner Gabby Madden's family, everyone receives a batched Bloody Mary cocktail upon arriving at Thanksgiving dinner, which is a tradition that has thus been transferred onto the bar. “Everyone enjoys the same cocktail and it’s something they can look forward to year after year,” he says, describing it as a staple that the whole family looks forward to. (Muniz equally notes that if you or your guests are hungover from going out the night before, the drink also makes for the perfect pre-Thanksgiving dinner cure.)

LeBlanche notes that using pre-made syrups is generally the easiest way to add festive flavor to cocktails. “You don’t need to add a lot to give a very particular flavor to your cocktail,” he says, highlighting pumpkin spice, caramel, vanilla, gingerbread, or cinnamon syrups as seasonal, easy-to-find picks. For the more creative at-home bartender, LeBlanche recommends reaching for fresh spices such as cloves, cinnamon sticks, or nutmeg.

If you are making homemade syrups, Beck recommends reaching for seasonal fruits and vegetables to create tasty infusions; this recipe for the Bushels and Barrels, a cocktail of apple cider, apple brandy, and bourbon, serves eight and is a great place to start. “Apples, figs, and dates are ingredients that are easy to find and incorporate — [though] why not use cranberries to make a cranberry simple syrup for a Turkey Day Old Fashioned?” Adding a festive touch with seasonal ingredients is an easy and celebratory way to level up your batched Thanksgiving Day drinks.

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