Happy Hour: Thanksgiving Cocktails With Wild Turkey (obviously!)

Last year we hosted a big Thanksgiving dinner for friends and family at our apartment. It was the typical madness that ensued, involving yummy food, karaoke, and even inflatable turkeys. This year, we're doing a very different Thanksgiving and going to our parents house. But I still want things to be festive and fun so instead of just bringing dessert and wine, I have decided to make these cool cocktails with Wild Turkey Bourbon. If there's any occasion to ever drink Wild Turkey, this is it! The name is way too perfect, I think I'm just going to have to make it my official November drink (but perhaps enjoy it this way.)

Pass the Turkey (created by Master Sommelier Fred Dexheimer)
1.5 oz Wild Turkey 101
2 oz apple cider
1 tbs cranberry jelly
1 sprig fresh sage
1 sprig fresh thyme
Directions: Muddle sage and thyme with apple cider. Add ice, top with Wild Turkey and cranberry jelly. Shake well, strain over ice in a glass rimmed with turkey jus and breadcrumbs.

Smashed Pumpkin
1 oz Wild Turkey 101
1/4 oz almond liqueur
1/4 oz cinnamon schnapps
2 oz pumpkin pie filling
1/2 oz heavy cream
Directions: Puree or froth pumpkin pie filling with heavy cream. Mix with other ingredients in a shaker with ice; shake well and strain into a martini glass. Rim with crumbled graham crackers and a cinnamon stick; top with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Recipes and images courtesy of Wild Turkey.