Indigestion is as much a Thanksgiving tradition as serving turkey, which makes it the ideal occasion to partake of a little after-dinner digestif. These strong, often bitter alcoholic spirits are said to ease the stomach discomfort caused by overindulging. (A potent elixir of Green Chartreuse is administered to bloated cows in the foothills of the Alps.) Yellow Chartreuse ($55 for 750 ml), a milder and sweeter version of the herb- and honey-flavored liqueur, has been enjoying some long-overdue attention at better bars and wine shops. Make that really long overdue: An order of cloistered French monks has been brewing it since 1838 from a secret recipe of herbs, plants, and flowers that lend each Chartreuse its natural color. Sip chilled and neat for a powerful palate cleanser and postprandial relief.
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Italy is also a good source for post-meal digestifs, including amari, as covered in the New York Times last week. Fernet Branca and Fernet Menta, two bitters made in Milan by the Fratelli Branca distillery, serve as the base for the rejuvenating and restorative Waterfront cocktail created by Damon Boelte, head bartender at Prime Meats in Brooklyn. The recipe is a simple one:
The Waterfront (serves one)
2 ounces Fernet Branca
1 ounce Branca Menta
1/2 ounce lime Juice
4 ounces ginger beer
Build in a Collins (or highball) glass over ice. Stir briefly, and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wheel.
What Dish Can't You Live Without On Thanksgiving?
No matter how much you overindulge during the big meal, a digestif will set you right--it's the next best thing after loosening your belt buckle.
By Robyn Brown and Andrew Knowlton
Related: 6 Healthy Tricks for Your Thanksgiving Feast
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