Not Your Average Thanksgiving: 17 Ideas That’ll Wow Everyone

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it’s time to start planning that menu! Whether you’re tasked with bringing a dish or hosting the whole shindig, you need a recipe or two that really takes the cake (er, pie). These delicious and memorable recipes will make your menu sparkle above the rest.

Four glasses of a pear and rosemary cocktail garnished with cranberries, star anise, and pear slices, surrounded by whole pears and sprigs of rosemary.
Pear Thanksgiving Punch. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Thanksgiving Infused Spa Water

A glass of water with apples, oranges, rosemary and cinnamon.
Thanksgiving Infused Spa Water. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Fall spices, herbs and fruits come together in a pitcher of Thanksgiving Infused Spa Water to make a festive drink for your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Infused Spa Water

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

A chocolate pie with nuts on top and a scoop of ice cream on a light green plate with two forks.
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie. Photo credit: Feast + West.

The classic pecan pie gets an upgrade with the addition of chocolate and whiskey. This Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie is full of flavor and oh-so-good! Serve it with ice cream or whipped cream on the side.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Pomegranate Martini

Two glasses of pomegranate martini cocktail on a tray.
Pomegranate Martini. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Shake up an upgraded cocktail experience with this Pomegranate Martini recipe, featuring vodka, pomegranate juice and a touch of sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Martini

Apple Pecan Salad

A salad with apples, walnuts and cranberries.
Apple Pecan Salad. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Serve up an Apple Pecan Salad with a zesty apple cider dressing for the perfect Thanksgiving salad. Apples, goat cheese, pecans and dried cranberries sit atop a bed of greens and are drizzled with a sweet-and-sour dressing made with apple cider and fresh lemon juice.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pecan Salad

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

A glass pitcher filled with brown liquid is on a white surface. The background includes small pumpkins, a wooden stand, cinnamon sticks, and a plaid cloth.
Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer. Photo credit: Feast + West.

When you serve coffee after dinner, offer up this cozy homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer made from scratch! No need to buy the store-bought creamer or overpriced fall lattes.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

Sugared Cranberries

Sugared cranberries on a gold spoon.
Sugared Cranberries. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Sugared cranberries are guaranteed to make a statement at your next holiday meal! Make this show-stopping recipe with just three ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Sugared Cranberries

Apple Cider Mojito

Two tall glasses of iced apple and lime drinks with mint and cinnamon garnish on woven coasters, surrounded by apples, limes, mint leaves, and a gold jigger on a marble surface.
Apple Cider Mojito. Photo credit: Feast + West.

In this Apple Pie Mojito, the apple cider brings a welcome autumnal twist to this summer classic that will have your Thanksgiving guests asking for more.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Mojito

Pear Thanksgiving Punch

Four glasses of a pear and rosemary cocktail garnished with cranberries, star anise, and pear slices, surrounded by whole pears and sprigs of rosemary.
Pear Thanksgiving Punch. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Looking for a Thanksgiving drink that doesn’t have cranberry juice or apple cider? This Pear Thanksgiving Punch answers the call. It’s a fun drink full of fall flavors, and a great recipe to make your holiday menu a little more special and unique.
Get the Recipe: Pear Thanksgiving Punch

Sweet Potato Toast Bites

Sweet potato crisps with cranberries and sage.
Sweet Potato Toast Bites. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Make these Sweet Potato Toast Bites topped with goat cheese, dried cranberries, walnuts and fresh sage! They are a delicious gluten-free party appetizer your guests will devour.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Toast Bites

Caramelized Pear Baked Brie

A plate of caramelized pears and crackers.
Caramelized Pear Baked Brie. Photo credit: Feast + West.

With warm, spiced pears and soft, melty cheese, this Caramelized Pear Baked Brie is always a popular Thanksgiving appetizer for a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Pear Baked Brie

Pumpkin Eggnog

A glass of pumpkin spice eggnog with cinnamon.
Pumpkin Eggnog. Photo credit: Feast + West.

This creamy Pumpkin Eggnog with spiced rum is easy to make and even easier to love. It’s great for everything from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Eggnog

Homemade Apple Cider

A cup of apple cider with cinnamon sticks and apples.
Homemade Apple Cider. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Make your own Apple Cider on the stovetop with real apples, spices and a hint of citrus. It’ll warm you and your Thanksgiving guests right up. Bonus: Your kitchen will smell delightful.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Apple Cider

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

A cheese ball covered with bacon and green onions is placed in the center of a plate surrounded by circular crackers.
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball. Photo credit: Feast + West.

This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball is absolutely drool-worthy! Make this super simple appetizer for your Thanksgiving guests to nibble on while they await the turkey carving.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Cat Head Biscuits

Cheesy biscuits in a skillet on a table.
Cat Head Biscuits. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Cat Head Biscuits are not only fluffy biscuits the size of a cat’s head, but they’re filled with a pocket of melted cheese.
Get the Recipe: Cat Head Biscuits

Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce in a glass bowl with a spoon.
Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Complete your Thanksgiving menu with Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce. It pairs perfectly with turkey and side dishes, or you can use it in a cocktail!
Get the Recipe: Orange Bourbon Cranberry Sauce

Sausage Balls

Sausage balls on a tray with rosemary sprigs.
Sausage Balls. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Classic sausage balls are everyone’s favorite appetizer! Make this super easy recipe in just about a half hour. Your Thanksgiving crew will devour them in no time.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Balls

Thanksgiving Sangria

A glass of Thanksgiving sangria with an apple, a pitcher, some rosemary and cinnamon sticks.
Thanksgiving Sangria. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Serve up some festive, spiced Thanksgiving Sangria at your holiday feast. With apple cider, bourbon, white wine and fall flavor, it will be a hit with everyone.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Sangria

About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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