Exploring DC Thanksgiving 2014

This Thanksgiving we’re ditching the egg nog and mixing something not likely found in your grandmother’s recipes. An aromatic combination of rosemary, lemon, & gin – not only does this cocktail look classy and festive, but its potency puts everyone in the holiday spirit. Recipe from Food & Wine.

Rosemary Gin Fizz

1/4 cup gin
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Rosemary Syrup
Ice cubes
Cold club soda
1 rosemary sprig and fresh red currants, for garnish

In a tall glass, stir the gin, lemon juice and Rosemary Syrup. Fill the glass halfway with ice; top with club soda. Garnish with the rosemary and currants and serve.




After you’ve finished feasting, and napping,  it’s time to get out an explore. Here are five of our favorite things to do this Thanksgiving:

1. Start off your Thanksgiving by breaking a sweat for a great cause. So Others Might Eat is hosting the 13th Annual Trot for 1. Start off your Thanksgiving by breaking a sweat for a great cause. So Others Might Eat is hosting the 13th Annual Trot for Hunger at Freedom Plaza to benefit the homeless in the nation’s capital. Burn off that second slice of pumpkin pie!! #TrotforHunger

2. If you’ve never seen the Mount Vernon estate at the holiday season you are missing out. It’s open on Thanksgiving and then starting on Friday view the candlelight tour of George Washington’s Mansion including fireworks set to Christmas music, dancing and fire-side caroling.

mt vernon

3. Go exploring this Thanksgiving day at the U.S. Botanic Garden by embarking on a tour of the seven seas, a nautical wonderland led by the lights of 33 lighthouses. Word on the street says you can view sea creatures, mermaids and a pirate ship all made of botanics. Yargh!

4. Okay, not exactly Thanksgiving weekend but still a favorite, the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on December 4, 2014. Every year one-of-a-kind ornaments are made by ordinary Americans, representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia. Artists and volunteers have given their time and talents to design and create tree ornaments that symbolize the history, heritage and culture of their homelands.  Headlining the entertainment is the incomparable Patti Labelle.

national tree

5. Do you know what 2 million pounds of ice looks like? The folks at the Gaylord National Resort may have some idea. Celebrating the annual Gaylord National Resort’s ICE with nightly entertainment, indoor snowfall, a live ice-carving station featuring talented ice artisans and ten interactive ice scene attractions. After the Gaylord, walk to the Waterfront Plaza at the National Harbor to see the 60 foot Christmas tree with over 20,000 lights.

Gaylord

In addition to the gratitude we feel each day celebrating with our guests, and working with our vendor partners, this year we are especially thankful for our internal guest, our crew. From dishwasher to director – and every position in between we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for the countless hours, selflessness, creativity, dedication, and loyalty so many of you have shown over your careers with Design Cuisine, we don’t tell you enough, but we truly appreciate you and thank you for your service. Happy Thanksgiving!

November 26, 2014 | | |