Kickoff cocktail

Thanksgiving kickoff: Cold

Prep: 5 minutes

Freeze: 1 hour

Makes: 12 servings

6 cups fresh apple cider (best made with nonprocessed cider)

2 ¼ cups bourbon whiskey (I like the “wheated” sort, but suit yourself)

¼ cup orange liqueur

1 hefty sprig of thyme

Lemon wedges

Garnish: small sprigs of thyme, tiny apples, orange wedges, apple slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks — get creative

1 Freeze: Pour 4 ½ cups cider, the bourbon and orange liqueur into a freezer zip-close bag. Toss in thyme sprig. Seal and stash in freezer for an hour or more.

2 Serve: Discard thyme sprig. Scrape slush into a dozen 10-ounce glasses. Squeeze a little lemon over each. If you like your drink less slushy (or less strong), splash with a little more cider. Garnish as you like. Let the festivities begin!

Thanksgiving kickoff: Hot

Prep: 10 minutes

Makes: 12 servings

6 cups fresh apple cider

2 ¼ cups bourbon whiskey

¼ cup orange liqueur

1 hefty sprig of thyme

Lemon wedges

Garnish: small sprigs of thyme, tiny apples, orange wedges, apple slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks

1 Warm: In a large pot or tea kettle, heat cider and thyme. Remove thyme.

2 Dose: Drop 3 tablespoons bourbon, 1 teaspoon orange liqueur and a squeeze of lemon into each of 12 mugs. Top with 6 to 8 tablespoons hot cider. Garnish. Enjoy.