Recipe: Chilled Cider Punch

Seriously, don't walk, run to the store to buy the ingredients for this punch. I have made many cocktails over the years, but this was the best one yet. I may or may not have had four or five of these on Thanksgiving. I promise you'll thank me after just one sip of this awesome punch.


SERVES 15-20

INGREDIENTS

8 cups apple cider
1 750 ml. bottle of dry hard cider (such as Farnum Hill's Dooryard)

3 12 oz. bottles of ginger beer (such as Reed's)

1 1/2 cups whiskey (such as Jameson)
Juice of one lemon
Several dashes orange bitters
1 orange sliced into rounds, for garnish
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine the ciders, ginger beer, whiskey, lemon juice, and bitters in a large punch bowl or pitcher. Stir to combine. Top with orange slices and cinnamon sticks. Ladle into ice-filled punch glasses.

Grayson's First Thanksgiving

I would argue that Thanksgiving is Ryan's favorite holiday. For most people who host a semi-large family Thanksgiving, I bet it doesn't top the list. Ryan, though, loves to cook. He could spend all day in the kitchen. Guess what? I don't mind. His food is all homemade and all amazing! This year we had Pioneer Herb Roasted Turkey with Sage Gravy, Southern Cornbread Stuffing, Bourbon Vanilla Cranberry Sauce, Sweet Potato Gratin, French Cut Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Honey Wheat Rolls (yes from scratch!), Classic Pumpkin Pie, and Apple Granola Pie with Homemade Bourbon Ice Cream.

For my part of helping with Thanksgiving, I always make cute place cards, a homemade wreath, handmade menus, and a signature cocktail. This year's cocktail was a Chilled Harvest Cider Punch. It was amazing. I will share the recipe in another post because you have to run the store and get the ingredients to make this. It was that good! I made turkey place cards and a turkey wreath this year. I went kinda cartoonish/kidlike to celebrate Grayson's first Thanksgiving.

Here are some pictures of the man of the hour, Grayson, and some of our family.

Grayson and Nana Jane

Grayson and Aunt Nee Nee

Pop showing off Grayson to Great Grandpa CW

It was a wonderful first Thanksgiving for our family and although it was a long day, we truly enjoyed having everyone over to our home and cooking for them.

Grayson Meets Great Grandpa CW

Great Grandpa CW was able to join us for Thanksgiving again this year and this time he was able to meet Grayson. While this isn't his first great grandchild, more like his eleventh I think, it is his first great grandchild from Ryan's mother's line of the family. He was very excited to meet and hold Grayson.

Grayson and Great Grandpa CW

Grayson Meets Pop

We are so excited that Pop got to come and visit from Colorado! I think Grayson and Pop were smitten with one another from the start.

We hope that Pop will visit us again really soon!

Grayson Meets Aunt Caitlyn and Uncle David

Today Grayson met long time friends of mine Caitlyn and David. Caitlyn and I have known each other for 9 years. I can't believe it has been that long, but it has! I actually was Caitlyn's Youth Minister when she was younger. Since she was only a couple years younger than me when I worked at the church, we became friends. Long after I worked at the church, Caitlyn and I have stayed in touch. She is a wonderful friend and I am excited for Grayson to grow up knowing her and her wonderful husband David. Since I have no brothers or sisters of my own, Caitlyn and David are as close as it gets. That is what makes them Aunt Caitlyn and Uncle David.

Aunt Caitlyn

Uncle David

Grayson: Two Months Old