39 Festive Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes to Make This Year
Between Uncle Bob ranting about politics, cousin Annie fawning over the new guy she’s sort of dating (and decided to bring over at the last minute) and Grandma Marge complaining that your mashed potatoes are too lumpy, you’re going to want a stiff drink in your hand this holiday. Here, 39 Thanksgiving cocktail recipes that should do the trick. From spiced apple margaritas to pumpkin punch, these are some mighty festive tipples that we’re eternally thankful for.
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1. Ruby Vermouth Spritzers
Red vermouth is spicy, herbaceous and slightly sweet, so it will wake up your tastebuds before all that turkey.
2. Chai Hot Toddy
The weather outside doesn’t have to be frightful to get in a cozy mood. Just drink one of these.
3. Winter Spiced Old Fashioned
Cinnamon, cardamom and star anise are right at home with bourbon and an orange twist.
4. Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour
We never would’ve thought that cinnamon and lemon would make such a fabulous pair. (They do.)
5. Grapefruit Cardamom Gin Fizz
If you’re more about sour and bright than sugar and spice, this bittersweet bev will be right up your alley. It’s sweetened with rosemary simple syrup, which works surprisingly well with the herbal liquor.
6. Pumpkin Sangria
Latte who? This sangria calls for making your own pumpkin pie-flavored simple syrup, but the end result is worth it.
7. Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule
Equal parts refreshing, spritz and versatile—make a big batch or even a mocktail version.
9. Cranberry Bourbon Fizz
This one calls for just three ingredients—a Thanksgiving miracle.
10. Thanksgiving Sangria
White wine, cider, brandy, pumpkin butter, citrus, spices and a splash of ginger beer. Even Grandma will go back for a second glass.
11. Pomegranate Smash
A splash of maple syrup offsets the tartness of the pomegranate.
13. Pumpkin Cocktail
This one starts with a pumpkin shrub—a sweet, vinegar-based concoction that, here, is flavored with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and (of course) pumpkin.
14. Apple Cider Mezcal Margarita
One glance at that spiced sugar rim and we were smitten.
15. Cozy Bourbon Old Fashioned with Sweet Potato Simple Syrup
Um, sweet potato syrup?! Genius. Let’s all agree to make this in place of the usual marshmallow-laden casserole.
16. Classic Negroni
It’s equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth—bitter, boozy and never a bad choice.
17. Cranberry Orange Prosecco Cocktail
Another foolproof way to make cocktails for a crowd? Start with prosecco. It always feels festive and fancy, with almost no effort on your part.
18. Sparkling Pomegranate Margaritas
See above. Bubbles + a crowd-pleasing cocktail = Thanksgiving no-brainer.
20. Classic Hot Toddy
Whether it’s a dry turkey or a nosy in-law, this warm and cozy number will cure whatever ails you.
21. Spiced Persimmon Bourbon Old Fashioned
This boozy sipper gets its crisp, warm flavor from persimmons (which are an underrated autumnal fruit, if you ask us). Make sure you buy the Fuyu variety, which are less tannic than the Hachiya kind.
22. Cranberry Mint Holiday Punch
This big-batch cocktail is pretty enough to double as a centerpiece.
23. Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch
The most festive ice cubes we ever did see, and the whole cocktail only calls for seven ingredients total.
24. Apple Cider, Bourbon and Amaretto Cocktail with Brûléed Oranges
Sure, this gorgeous sipper looks fancy, but it’s actually super easy to make. The orange slices are caramelized in a skillet, so you don’t even need a blowtorch to brûlée them.
25. Pear and Cranberry Champagne Cocktails
Got some leftover cranberries hanging around? Not anymore, you don’t.
28. Cinnamon White Russian
Basically dessert. And we’re all about switching it up at Thanksgiving. (Sorry, pumpkin pie.)
31. Mulled White Wine
If you haven’t already stocked up on cinnamon sticks, now is the time.
32. Pomegranate Martini
We can’t wait to tell Uncle Todd that it’s rosemary, not tree branches.
35. Vanilla-Pear Holiday Punch
It’s made with reposado tequila, but you could also swap in bourbon.
36. Amaro Spritz
Memorize the formula—3 ounces sparkling wine, 2 ounces amaro, 1 ounce soda water—and you can make this refreshing tipple for any occasion.
37. Spiced Maple Bourbon Fizz
You can make it as a single drink or a punch, if you’re serving a crowd.
38. Pomegranate Aperol Spritz
Save this one for when the novelty of apple cider everything inevitably wears off.
39. Apple Butter Old Fashioned
Save some of the apple butter for baking. (It’s so good.)
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