[1] The Harvest Moon Martini adds some oloroso sherry—which provides nutty autumn notes—to the classic Martini recipe (photos #1, #2, #5 © Golden State Distillery).

[2] The sparkling French 75 cocktail, gin-based with a fall garnish.

[3] Gin is made from juniper berries plus botanicals (photo © Silk Road Spices).

[4] Manzanilla olives stuffed with anchovy. You can get them here (photo © Donostia Foods).

[5] Gray Whale Gin on the California Coast.

[6] California Gray Whale (photo by José Eugenio Gómez Rodríguez | Wikipedia).

When Gray Whale Gin asked us to consider variations classic cocktails for Thanksksgiving, we were intrigued by the suggestion of a fall twist to the Martini: add some oloroso Sherry.

We tried it, we liked it, and we share the recipe with you (below).

We also turned to the nearest search engine to learn more about using sherry in Martinis, which we share later in this article.

A second suggestion, for a classic sparkling cocktail with a fall twist, was equally delicious.

So treat your holiday guests to one or both of these recipes. We liked them so much, we’ve made them every day this week!

> The history of gin.

> The different types of gin.

> The history of the Martini.

> The history of the French 75 cocktail.

> The history of cocktails.

> The history of Thanksgiving.
 
 
RECIPE #1: HARVEST MOON MARTINI

Oloroso sherry is a dry, full-bodied, fortified wine with a complex flavor profile that includes nutty, spicy, and autumnal notes.
 
Ingredients Per Drink

 
Preparation
 
1. STIR all ingredients well over ice and strain into a coupe glass.

2. GARNISH with olive and lemon twist*.
 
 
What About Other Types Of Sherry In Your Martini?

Sherry can add complexity to a martini, making the drink more than the sum of its parts.

 
 
RECIPE #2: FALL FRENCH 75

The garnish of an apple fan gives this year-round drink a fall touch.
 
Ingredients Per Drink

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE all ingredients except the Prosecco into a cocktail mixing glass and shake it with ice.

2. ADD the Prosecco to the mixing glass and strain the contents into a coupe or flute. Garnish with apple slices.
 
 
ADDING SHERRY TO A MARTINI

Sherry adds a variety of flavors and complexities to a Martini, including nuttiness, salinity, and a brighter taste. It works with both gin and vodka Martinis.

Oloroso is a dry, oxidatively aged sherry wine that’s full-bodied, nutty, and savory with notes of fig, cinnamon, and clove—just right for fall. (The Spanish word oloroso means “fragrant.”
  
 
RECIPE #3: HONEY SYRUP

Honey syrup is essentially simple syrup made with honey instead of granulated sugar.
 
Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE the honey and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved.

2. COOL and transfer to an airtight container. The syrup will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month.
 
 
ABOUT GRAY WHALE GIN

Gray Whale Gin was founded on the principle that a consciously crafted spirit can do some good in the world. One percent of the proceeds of every bottle are contributed to Oceana, the largest organization in the world devoted to ocean conservation.

Gray Whale Gin is perfected with sustainably sourced and wild harvested botanicals foraged along the migratory path of the California Gray Whale, including Juniper (Big Sur), Limes (Temecula Valley), Fir Trees (Sonoma), Sea Kelp (Mendocino Coast), Mint (Santa Cruz) and Almonds (Central Valley).

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*We substituted an anchovy-stuffed olive from Donostia Foods. The also produce olives stuffed with lemon paste.

As a sweet alternative, we soaked some dried cranberries in vermouth and loved how they soaked up the alcohol—so much so that we soaked more cranberries and rolled a log of goat cheese in them. You can also press them into the top of a warmed Brie.

*Arctic, Gala, Ginger Gold, Goldrush, and Opal  
Preparation varieties are resistant to browning when cut.