The Only Thanksgiving Drink You Need Is Vermouth

"Specifically, stock up on Spanish vermouth, a.k.a. vermut, a fortified wine that's spiced, often sweet, and designed for drinking straight. In Spain, where la hora del vermut is a beloved premeal ritual akin to Italy's aperitivo, vermut culture has evolved to embrace myriad styles, especially leaning into luscious fruit profiles and richer textures. Think inky cola-esque bottles; floral, blush rosé vermuts; or even cinnamon-and-licorice-tinged vermut negro."

"Slightly sweeter than its French or Italian cousins, Spanish vermut is also soft, herbal, and luxurious. It's a drink with presence: notes of clove, cinnamon, orange peel, wormwood, even a hint of Dr Pepper, if you're into that sort of thing. Unlike the highly operationalized holiday Thanksgiving is often purported to be, at its core it's a feast with the people we care about most. Vermut is a natural accompanist to such an event. It does not ask to be in the spotlight, in cocktails or otherwise. At its absolute best, vermut embraces the art of the pause, an invitation to slow down with nothing more complicated than an ice cube and an orange slice."

"Thanksgiving is our favorite maximalist holiday, and we're not about to let a day filled with gratitude and abundance go the way of overwhelm. Ensure a simple-enough menu stays manageable with a to-do list so you're not waylaid by days-long side quests. Skip over the dish pileup with a groovy playlist and designate some helpers to wash and dry before dinner is even served."

Thanksgiving can be simplified by keeping the menu manageable, using a to-do list, a curated playlist, and designated helpers to handle dishwashing before dinner. Reserve complex cocktails for another occasion and serve Spanish vermouth (vermut) as an effortless premeal drink. Spanish vermut is a spiced, fortified wine often sweeter than French or Italian versions, with notes of clove, cinnamon, orange peel, wormwood, and a cola-like character. Vermut appears in many styles, from floral blush rosé to cinnamon-and-licorice-tinged negro. Serve vermut simply over ice with an orange slice to encourage slow, convivial pauses.

Read at Bon Appetit