52 Festive Thanksgiving Cocktails That Will Liven Up The Adults' Table
This year, we're thankful for delicious cocktails.
It's true, you could just break open your favorite bottle of wine this Thanksgiving, but! We think serving a fun cocktail too will make your dinner all the more special. From fall-inspired cocktails to ones that taste like pecan or apple pie to classic drinks that pair perfectly with turkey, these 52 Thanksgiving cocktails are FAR more festive than a plain ol' bottle of red.
The holidays are the perfect time to brush up on your home bartending skills. We love mixing up a signature cocktail to complement our Thanksgiving feast, as it adds that certain special something to the table. Thankfully, the most classic cocktails also happen to be some of the simplest too. Our recipes for our Big Apple Manhattans, our brown sugar old-fashioneds, and our amaretto sours only need around 5 ingredients from your bar cart, if you can believe it. Looking for something with a little more of a spin for the holiday? Try our apple cider spritz, our pumpkin spice mules, our pecan pie martinis, our pumpkin margaritas, or our cranberry apple sangria all fit the bill.
In the mood for a warming nightcap? We've got plenty of drinks that will warm you up on a crisp night, like our mulled wine, our spiked pumpkin chai lattes, our hot toddies, or our Irish coffee. We also have tons of tips from bartenders on how you can make the best holiday cocktails, so you can stay merry all season long.
Pro tip: These fall cocktails taste even better with our favorite Thanksgiving apps or a slice of pumpkin or apple pie. Crowd still thirsty? For more festive drinks, try our amazing Thanksgiving punch ideas and fall sangrias too.
Cranberry Aperol Spritz
Cranberry adds a festive, blood-red twist to your favorite cocktail, the Aperol spritz. If you don't want it to be too sweet, you can swap the cranberry juice cocktail for 100% cranberry juice.
Get the Cranberry Aperol Spritz recipe.
Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria
We give classic summer sangria a fall twist by adding in sparkling apple cider (of course), white wine, and Fireball. Our apple cider sangria is a fan-favorite, but this bubbly version feels a bit fancier, making it worthy of your holiday dinner.
Get the Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria recipe.
Thanksgiving Jungle Juice
We love a big-batch cocktail because it not only saves you time at the home bar, but they're so easy to mix up. This classed up, festive spin on jungle juice is for when you want to be the designated drunk uncle at Thanksgiving.
Get the Thanksgiving Jungle Juice recipe.
Pumpkin Margaritas
The combination of pumpkin pie filling, pumpkin spice syrup (optional; see below for method), and reposado tequila creates a beautiful autumnal blend. The aged tequila adds a rich brown sugar flavor that mixes perfectly with the pumpkin ingredients, while the bright acidity from the lime balances the cocktail and provides that classic margarita tang.
Get the Pumpkin Margaritas recipe.
Apple Cider Hot Toddies
While pumpkin spice, in all of its many forms, may be the drink of fall, we think there’s a strong case to be made for all things apple cider too: these extra sweet hot toddies are the ultimate proof.
Get the Apple Cider Hot Toddies recipe.
Spiked Pumpkin Chai Latte
We kicked a classic chai latte up a notch to create this spiked pumpkin version—in it, freshly steeped chai and a shot of whiskey get blended with milk, pumpkin puree, and maple syrup, then topped with whipped cream. It’s the perfect after-dinner drink for a chilly Thanksgiving.
Get the Spiked Pumpkin Chai Latte recipe.
Gold Rush Cocktail
Fans of the whiskey sour to the front, please! The Gold Rush cocktail is the whiskey drink you’re already in love with, with just a few changes. 1) It calls for honey instead of simple syrup, and doesn't call for any egg whites.
Get the Gold Rush Cocktail recipe.
Pumpkin Spice White Russians
Your pumpkin spice latte, now all grown up! Whether you just want a fun nightcap or want to have a signature cocktail at Thanksgiving, these white Russians are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Pumpkin Spice White Russians recipe.
Spicy Apple Cider Margaritas
This cocktail is perfect for when you've been cooking inside all day, and can't decide whether to grab a glass of red or white—reach for the apple cider and tequila instead! The hot honey here is the perfect sweet with a little heat, and Calvados adds hints of caramel apple and kettle corn.
Get the Spicy Apple Cider Margaritas recipe.
Manhattan
There are few cocktails more storied (or simple!) than the Manhattan. First stirred up in 1894 by a bartender at New York City's Waldorf Astoria, the defining characteristic is that it uses Scotch whiskey. Change up your bitters with a few dashes of walnut, lavender, or black cherry for a fun twist.
Get the Classic Manhattan recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Mules
Moscow mules are one of our favorite drinks, but once the leaves start to change and we can't get pumpkin spice off our minds, we turn to this twist on the classic. If you can't find pumpkin pie vodka, regular vodka will work well too!
Get the Pumpkin Spice Mules recipe.
Apple Pie Bourbon Shots
If you're truly looking to get your party started this holiday (or if you're a bourbon fan), then these apple pie bourbon shots should be a must-have at your next gathering. All you need are a few ingredients—apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg—too!
Get the Apple Pie Bourbon Shots recipe.
Pumpkin Pie Martini
In the fall, love starting our days off with a pumpkin spice latte, so we thought, why not finish the day with the same warming, spicy taste? Now you can with these pumpkin spice martinis.
Get the Pumpkin Pie Martini recipe.
Cranberry-Apple Sangria
Sangria is a perfect cocktail for the holidays because it’s made all in one big pitcher and can be done ahead. Plus, your guests can help themselves to a festive cocktail while you finish up cooking. This recipe is fairly traditional but with a holiday twist, featuring flavors like tart cranberries and warm cinnamon.
Get the Cranberry-Apple Sangria recipe.
Apple Cider Mimosas
Mimosas are the brunch cocktail; however, as the weather gets colder, we all start looking toward more comforting, autumnal flavors. This is the perfect, fall twist on the classic that's perfect for celebrating on Thanksgiving morning.
Get the Apple Cider Mimosas recipe.
Amaretto Sour
If you're a tiramisu fanatic—it often includes amaretto, same as this drink—you're bound to love this bourbon cocktail. Think whiskey sour, but a little nuttier.
Get the Amaretto Sour recipe.
(Make Ahead) Holiday Punch Bowl Ice Cubes
Looking for a quick way to level up your holiday punch bowl or cocktails without the hassle? These stunning ice cubes are an incredibly easy solution—and they’ll make you look super-classy too! These ice cubes use pomegranate juice instead of water, adding both flavor and a vibrant red hue to what would otherwise be plain ice.
Cranberry Paloma
The holidays usually usher in seasonal cocktails with cozy spices to stay warm in the winter, but we think bright, refreshing beverages should be enjoyed all year long. If you love sipping on margaritas and palomas but want a more festive recipe to enjoy during the holiday season, meet the cranberry paloma.
Get the Cranberry Paloma recipe.
Lambrusco Smash
While a glass of Lambrusco is always good served on its own, it’s also a fantastic starting point for a cocktail. The smoky mezcal, bright orange citrus, and spice from the ginger beer here tie together beautifully, giving you a zingy, sweet-ish, refreshing, and original cocktail.
Get the Lambrusco Smash recipe.
Kalimotxo Cola Punch
The last three months of the year mean it's time to party, and what better way to say party in a cocktail than punch? This kalimoxto-inspired sangria upgrade is literally a little bit of this, a little bit of that with a top off of everyone's favorite soda—an ice cold Coca-Cola.
Get the Kalimotxo Cola Punch recipe.
