Be thankful for this bevy of Thanksgiving cocktails and mocktails to enjoy on Turkey Day! From cranberry and pomegranate drinks to those with champagne and bourbon, there’s something for everyone’s palette here in this list of 30 cocktails for Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving cocktails don’t have to be difficult.
After all, you’re already planning a big meal, right? Or maybe someone just asked you to bring a drink recipe.
As I describe in my holiday cocktail ebook, Holiday Spirits, I don’t want you to stress about the drinks.
You’ve totally got this.
In fact, I pulled together 30 Thanksgiving cocktail recipes for you. Many of them are from my site, but I feature quite a few from around the internet as well.
Thanksgiving cocktail flavors
There are a few flavors that show up over and over again in Thanksgiving cocktails:
- apple cider
- cranberry juice
- pomegranate juice
- ginger beer
- coffee
- pumpkin spice
- cinnamon
- chai
- orange
- rosemary
- pecan
Just thinking about those flavors gets me excited for Turkey Day! It’s my favorite holiday, after all.
Tips for making Thanksgiving cocktails
Cocktails aren’t as complicated as turkey or pie. They might even be easier than this easy orange bourbon cranberry sauce.
I suggest stocking your bar for a party, so that you’re ready for anything.
But I also suggest making at least one signature cocktail.
This could be a pitcher, punch or warm drink that is available to guests throughout your party. It could also be a mimosa bar.
Or, you can whip up a round of drinks when guests arrive and enjoy another round with or after dessert.
During dinner, guests can sip on beer, wine or champagne to keep it simple.
Make sure you always have a non-alcoholic option for people, even if it’s zero-proof spirits or a signature mocktail. A pretty pitcher of citrus spa water is another favorite of mine.
Thanksgiving cocktail recipes
But trust me, you’ve got this! So let’s get into those recipes without any further ado.
From martinis to mimosas and margaritas to jello shots, there is something for everyone here.
I hope you find something new that you love, and want to make year after year! Or, perhaps you want to try them all?
Before Dinner
Serve up these cocktails before you carve the bird, while your guests snack on appetizers and mingle.
This Asian Pear Mule combines ginger beer, pear vodka, lime juice and a pretty Asian pear and cinnamon stick garnish.
The pumpkin spice mule has all the flavors of fall: pumpkin, ginger and spices with a bite of lime for balance. It uses a homemade pumpkin spice syrup.
The Ginger Pumpkin Beer Shandy is a lovely fall sipper that's perfect for holiday entertaining! It combines ginger beer and pumpkin ale with a cinnamon sugar rim.
Make a Pomegranate Martini with just 3 ingredients. It makes a bold, beautiful and delicious cocktail for sipping on Turkey Day.
This pretty, festive cocktail pulls together homemade vanilla whiskey with apple cider and spices.
Add applejack (also known as apple brandy) to a Moscow mule cocktail for a bright, crisp apple flavor.
Made with pomegranate, bourbon and ginger ale, this drink is refreshing and fun, perfect for celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends.
These pretty apple cider margaritas feature a cinnamon rim. Drink them before or after your holiday meal.
Ruby red pomegranate juice is the star of these festive holiday cocktails. Make them with gin or vodka.
Brunch Drinks
If you enjoy your Thanksgiving meal earlier in the day, you may wish for some brunch-like drinks. Or, sip on these while you cook. (Safely, of course.)
An easy apple cider mimosa will be the highlight of your fall meals and Thanksgiving brunch! Everyone will love the festive apple garnish.
These gorgeous pumpkin pie mimosas feature a cinnamon sugar rim and a whipped cream topping.
Serve up a round of easy cranberry mimosas for a holiday party or brunch! This easy brunch cocktail is made with cranberry juice, triple sec and champagne.
These "yule mules" are a festive, red-and-green holiday cocktail made with ginger beer, cranberry, vodka and rosemary.
The Pomegranate Mimosa is a delicious choice for your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu.
Punches & Pitcher Drinks
These cocktails make a big batch and will serve a bigger crowd. Serve them in a punch bowl or in a pitcher.
This festive Thanksgiving Infused Spa Water is perfect for the holidays! With flavors of fall fruits, warm spices and fresh herbs, this pretty beverage will be sure to delight all your guests.
Pomegranate prosecco punch is a festive, no-sugar-added drink to serve at your holiday parties.
Mulled wine makes for a warm winter welcome for any gathering. Keep it on the stove to make your house smell warm and inviting.
This pretty cranberry punch is a beautiful centerpiece for any holiday table.
Spiced Apple Cider Rum Punch is the dreamiest fall cocktail to serve at your Thanksgiving table! Homemade spiced rum really takes the cake. Er, pie...
Russian Tea is a warm, citrus tea punch for chilly days. Made without alcohol, you can keep it warm on the stove to share with all your guests.
Spiced cranberry sangria is the perfect drink for celebrating Thanksgiving. It is made with red wine, lime and orange juice, plus fresh cranberries, oranges, limes and cinnamon. Make a batch or a few and gather around with your favorite people to celebrate the season!
After-Dinner Drinks
Sip on these cocktails after dinner, while you eat dessert or even after that if you want to keep the party going!
With all the flavors of autumn, these Apple Cider Jell-O Shots with Bourbon make a great holiday treat! Serve them up after dinner (or before!) to keep the party going.
Make a Pecan Pie Manhattan for dessert. It's a nutty version of the bourbon cocktail. Pecan pie bourbon brings a whole new level of flavor.
Make a Cranberry Old-Fashioned cocktail with your leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving!
This stunning cocktail melts together white chocolate, milk, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree and vanilla vodka for a thick and creamy dessert drink.
Sweet and spiced, the perfect holiday after-dinner cocktail! Made with cinnamon simple syrup, cream, vodka and coffee liqueur, it's a beautiful end to the night.
Make a pumpkin spice old-fashioned to sip on while you enjoy the fall weather! Made with your favorite bourbon and pumpkin spice syrup, it is a perfect pumpkin pie nightcap.
The Chai Old-Fashioned Cocktail is made with chai tea ice cubes, and it's a lovely Thanksgiving nightcap. With flavors of cardamom, orange, tea and spices, each sip is more flavorful than the last thanks to the tea-infused ice cubes.
This easy dessert martini cocktail is bursting with flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and pumpkin.
Sip on a Pumpkin Spice White Russian after your Thanksgiving meal. Made with coffee liqueur, it tastes like a boozy, iced pumpkin spice latte!
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