Creative Thanksgiving Cocktails Only The Really FUN Families Will Appreciate
You know the type.
If you're really lucky, you either know (or are part of!) a family that really knows how to party on Thanksgiving. In which case, you probably already know how to keep the Thanksgiving jungle juice flowing until well after all the turkey is done roasting. So why not add a few more creative cocktail recipes to your repertoire? These extra-clever (and very simple) drinks will certainly keep you in the holiday spirit!
Chances are, your holiday table (or party) has had a few extra seats added to it. In that case, keep everyone's glass full with a big-batch cocktail like a punch. They not only keep everyone off bartending duty, but also give you a chance to really get experimental with fun flavors, like we did with our kalimotxo cola punch, sparkling apple cider sangria, or our make-ahead holiday punch bowl ice cubes.
What about a bit of dessert with your cocktail? Double your fun with a pumpkin pie martini, a round of apple pie bourbon shots, caramel snickerdoodle martinis, or, wait for it, a Turkeytini as your new favorite clean-up-the-kitchen nightcaps. In the mood to party (but maybe in an admittedly more chill way)? A low-ABV spritz like our figgy spritz or cranberry Aperol spritz will make sure you're waking up on Black Friday with enough energy to score some deals.
Apple Pie Bourbon Shots
If you're truly looking to get your party started (or if you're a bourbon fan), then these apple pie bourbon shots should be a must-have at your Friendsgiving. All you need are a few ingredients—apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg—to infuse your own bourbon that tastes just like your fave fall dessert.
Get the Apple Pie Bourbon Shots recipe.
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.
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.
Kalimotxo Cola Punch
This 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. The kalimotxo took the interweb by storm earlier this year, giving “sophisticated sangria” vibes as a composed cocktail. For this punch, grab that red wine you haven't used and some Coca-Cola, and get ready for a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Kalimotxo Cola Punch recipe.
Turkeytini
There’s nothing better than the combination of a dessert and cocktail. Shaken and poured into a chilled glass, dessert cocktails are the ultimate end-of-the-night treat, especially when they include mocha and bourbon. This boozy Turkeytini has all you need to complete your Friendsgiving feast with the decadent blend of creamy Baileys Irish cream, chocolate liqueur, Kahlúa, and bourbon.
Get the Turkeytini 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.
Get the (Make Ahead) Holiday Punch Bowl Ice Cubes 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 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.
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.
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.
Figgy Spritz
This summer, our go-to cocktail was the minty and refreshing Hugo Spritz that was a low ABV (alcohol by volume) drink that celebrates the beautiful marriage of sweet summer herbs, sparkling wine, and elderflower liqueur. As per usual, we took that same equation of a delicious herbaceous spritz cocktail, but we included a woodsy rosemary sprig and fig syrup to welcome fall’s rich earthy flavors and make the easiest large format cocktail that will impress everyone at your holiday table. Thanksgiving’s aperitivo hour just got a delicious upgrade.
Get the Figgy Spritz 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.
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.
Caramel Snickerdoodle Martini
Simple cocktails are the best cocktails, and this martini is proof. It has all the flavor of a snickerdoodle, without any of the work of baking cookies. 😍
Get the Caramel Snickerdoodle Martini recipe.
