Southampton - Ever since the first Thanksgiving 390 years ago, turkey has become the staple of the feast. In fact, in the U.S., about 280 million turkeys are sold during the holiday. While eating turkey is part of this longstanding tradition, the bird doesn't have to be bland and boring! Spice things up with a modern take on the traditional turkey with Chef Rick Bayless' recipe, and while the cook slaves away in the kitchen, enjoy the perfect escape - a delicious Thanksgiving-inspired margarita.

Below are some recipes from Tequila Herradura's Brand Ambassador Mark Drew, Chef Rick Bayless and Bohemia beer to help you celebrate:

Herradura Thanksgiving Margarita (Mark Drew)

 • 1.5 oz. Herradura Reposado Tequila
 • 2 oz. Cranberry Juice
 • 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
 • .5 oz. Honey Syrup

Add all ingredients into shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with a sprinkle of cranberries (fresh or dried).

Beer Brined Turkey With Red Chile Adobo (Chef Rick Bayless)

Serves 10-12
 • 1 whole fresh turkey, 12 to 14 pounds, well rinsed, giblets removed
 • 5 quarts water
 • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
 • 1 cup salt
 • 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
 • 2 bottles (12 ounces each) Bohemia beer
 • 2 cups mesquite wood chips
 • 6 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
 • 1 bunch fresh marjoram sprigs or 1 tablespoon dried
 • 1 bunch fresh thyme sprigs or 1 tablespoon dried leaf thyme
 • 10 to 12 bay leaves

Brining The Turkey: If the turkey has a metal clamp on its legs, remove it. Place two large food-safe plastic bags (such as Reynolds turkey roasting bags) in a large, clean, deep dishpan or plastic bucket. Add one gallon of the water, the sugar, salt and pepper flakes. Stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar and salt. Add the remaining water and beer; mix well. Place the turkey in the mixture breast side down making sure it is completely covered in brine. Squeeze the air out of the bag and tie it shut. Refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.

Beer Brined Turkey with Red Chile Adobo. (Courtesy Photo: Formula PR, Inc.)

Setting Up The Grill For Indirect Cooking: Soak two cups of mesquite chips in water to cover for at least 30 minutes. Heat a gas grill to medium-high or light a charcoal fire and let it burn just until the coals are covered with gray ash and very hot. When the grill is ready, either turn the burner(s) in the center to medium-low or bank the coals to the sides for indirect cooking. Add some of the soaked wood chips to the grill (for a gas grill, place them in a smoker attachment box or wrap the chips in foil; for charcoal, place them on the hot coals). For the charcoal grill, set the grill grate in place.

Preparing The Turkey For The Grill: Remove the turkey from the brine and pat thoroughly dry with paper towel. (If you are not cooking the turkey at this point, place it in the outer baking bag, which should be dry and clean, and store it in the refrigerator. Discard the brine). Rub the inside of the turkey cavity with the crushed garlic. Stuff the herbs and bay leaves inside, then tie the legs together with a cotton string. Pull the skin over the neck opening and secure with a small skewer. Set the turkey on a roasting rack set inside a heavy-gauge foil pan. Brush turkey lightly with oil.

Grilling The Turkey: Place the turkey in the pan on the cooking grate. Pour one cup water in the turkey pan. Cover the grill and cook over medium heat. To maintain an even temperature with a charcoal grill, add more charcoal regularly (usually a few pieces every half hour or so). Keep adding wood chips as desired to give smokiness. Check the turkey periodically, you may want to cover the wing tips and/or the whole turkey to prevent the skin from getting too brown. The turkey is done when its juices run clear and the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh is about 170 degrees. Estimate about 12 to 14 minutes per pound, typically two and one-half to three hours. Remove the turkey from the grill, cover loosely with foil and let stand 15 minutes. (The temperature will rise five to 10 degrees as the turkey rests).

Carve the turkey, arrange on a warm platter and serve with the warm Red Chile Adobo Sauce.

Red Chili Adobo Sauce

Makes about five cups

 • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
 • 12 medium (about six ounces) dried ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded and torn into flat pieces
 • 6 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
 • 2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
 • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
 • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
 • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
 • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
 • 4 cups chicken or turkey broth (use the turkey neck and giblets for making broth)
 • Salt
 • 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar

The Adobo Puree: Measure the oil into a large skillet and set over medium heat. When hot, oil-toast the chiles one to two pieces at a time until very toasty smelling and blistered, only a few seconds per side. Pour off all but a generous film of oil from the skillet and set aside. Transfer the chiles to a large bowl and measure in four cups hot tap water; a small plate on top will keep the chiles submerged. Let rehydrate for about 20 minutes.

Measure the garlic, oregano, black pepper, cumin, cloves and vinegar into a blender or food processor. Pour in the rehydrated chiles, liquid and all (do this in two batches if necessary). Process the mixture to a smooth puree. Press through a medium-mesh strainer set over a bowl.

From Puree To Finished Sauce: Set the chile-frying skillet over medium heat. When quite hot, add the adobo and stir until reduced to the thickness of tomato paste, about 10 minutes. Stir in the broth, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes or so. The finished sauce should be quite light in texture - not watery, but just one stage thicker. (A good test is to pour a little on a plate and watch it spread: If it flows evenly, it's right; if it doesn't flow much and water begins separating around the edges, it's too thick). Season with salt (usually about one tablespoon) and sugar - it should be a little sweet-sour with a hint of saltiness. Serve warm.