Cocktail Spotlight: Gaetano's Cosmic Picnic is Thanksgiving in a Glass

As you get ready for the onslaught of turkey, and think about all the ways you can use the leftovers from the bird, check out this novel take from Highlands Italian Gaetano’s. The Cosmic Picnic cocktail is built around turkey-fat-infused Mell Vodka (!), along wtih Leopold Bros. New England Cranberry Liqueur, orange liqueur, lime juice and fresh sage.

Who thought of this “Thanksgiving in a glass,” how is it created, and why? Bartender Matty Durgin came up with the idea, and says the fat infusion make the vodka textured, so it coats the mouth nicely. The apple-distilled Mell Vodka adds to the general cornucopia of harvest flavors.

The drink is currently on the menu for $11, but if you’re interested in giving it a try at home, here’s how to do the infusing:

– Mix the fat (can be bacon fat, turkey fat, beef fat, even butter) into the spirit and let it sit for several days.
– Freeze the alcohol until completely solid.
– Remove the separated fat off the top of the frozen block of booze.
– Thaw the alcohol and then strain.
– The result is a fat-infused spirit.