I can’t believe Thanksgiving week is already here. We’re looking forward to seeing some friends and tackling a few adventurous recipes for our big meal!

I love the trend of getting together with friends for Thanksgiving as well as your families – maybe our parents’ generation did this too, they just didn’t have a portmanteau or hashtag for it. However long it’s been happening, it’s a good idea. Why not see “the family you choose” for the holidays, too?

I’m totally a sides person, myself (and pies, duh). But even the sides are pretty rich, and that’s the reason I like to pair Thanksgiving with cocktails and wines that have a little acidity to them – I think it’s a nice balance.

Plus, it’s a way to incorporate more fruit flavors into your meal! In my opinion, blackberry and orange were born to go together. Their more floral notes blend in a way that transcends the seasons – I’d drink this easy sipper any time of the year.

All you need is a little vodka, a little orange liqueur and some IZZE Sparkling Blackberry. Happy Thanksgiving!

Blackberry Orange Cocktails

Ingredients:

1 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. orange liqueur
2 dashes orange bitters
About 2-3 oz. IZZE Sparkling Blackberry
Orange peel for garnish

In each coupe glass, add the vodka, orange liqueur and orange bitters. Top with IZZE Sparkling Blackberry and garnish with an orange peel.