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What to Drink in November


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November officially kicks off the holiday season, bringing with it cozy flavors and plenty of opportunities for entertaining. Plan your drink menu for Thanksgiving or whatever the month has in store with some of these recipes.

A glass of light pink cocktail with ice, cranberries, rosemary, and star anise, surrounded by rosemary sprigs. A pear is in the background.

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Your ultimate guide to November drinks

I have a confession. Although I love Thanksgiving, November sometimes can feel a little bit overwhelming to me. It’s the lead up to the holidays and filled with food, family and friends and I want everything to be just right!

I’m learning to embrace the lack of perfectionism that leaves things feeling more authentic. Simply being present and enjoying what’s going on around me has been a huge help! The other thing that mades a difference is planning. Knowing what the menu will look like and what I need to do to prepare leaves me able to enjoy the day rather than rushing around.

A coupe glass filled with a frothy dark cocktail, garnished with star anise and coffee beans, sits on a wooden coaster, surrounded by spices and coffee beans.

November flavors 

Fruits are always a sweet treat and the cooler months are no exception. Lean into flavors like apple, pear, cranberry and pomegranate for seasonal sips that everyone will love.

Spices are an easy transformation to take a drink from cool to cozy. Cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise and cloves are favorites for this time of year and play well with the meals and desserts that are likely going to be on the table.

Food-inspired drinks are a fun way to play on popular dishes during November. Things like apple pie shots and pumpkin martinis have all the flavors of your favorite desserts, but in drink form.

A tall glass filled with ice, clear liquid, pear slices, and garnished with a sprig of rosemary. Another similar glass and a pear are visible in the background.

What’s happening in November 

Outside of Thanksgiving, there are plenty of happenings throughout the month to enjoy, like:

  • National Cinnamon Day — Nov. 1
  • Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) — Nov. 1- 2
  • National Nacho Day — Nov. 6
  • Veteran’s Day — Nov. 11
  • National Pickle Day — Nov. 14
  • Apple Cider Day — Nov. 18
  • National Espresso Day — Nov. 23
  • International Cake Day — Nov. 26
  • Thanksgiving — Nov. 26
  • Black Friday — Nov. 27
  • Small Business Saturday — Nov. 28
  • Cyber Monday — Nov. 30

The best drinks to make in November 

If you’re hosting a group this month, batch recipes are going to be your best friend. You can either choose a drink that’s already in a big batch form or multiply your favorite recipe so there’s enough to go around. Either way, plan ahead to help keep any more chaos out of your kitchen!

Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving with family and Friendsgiving with friends call for drinks that can be made ahead and poured without fuss. Apple, pear and pomegranate lead the way, from a big-batch punch and a pitcher of sangria to a warm pot of mulled wine and a shot for the first round.

1
Three small mason jars filled with orange liquid, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon, sit on a white surface with apples, cinnamon sticks, and pie nearby.
Apple Pie Shot
Apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whiskey come together in a shot that drinks like a bite of apple pie, finished with whipped cream and a dusting of apple pie spice. It makes a good pre-game before the turkey comes out of the oven.
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2
Top view of a glass of spiced apple cider with ice cubes, sliced apple, cinnamon stick, star anise, and rosemary sprigs.
Pear Thanksgiving Punch
Pear nectar, bourbon and spiced rum form the base of this party punch, with lemon juice for balance and slices of Bosc pear, fresh cranberries and star anise floating on top. The lemon-lime soda goes in just before serving, which keeps the bubbles lively through the second round of refills. One batch makes about 12 cups, plenty for a full Friendsgiving table.
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3
A Thanksgiving-inspired glass of Sangria, adorned with fruit and sprigs of rosemary.
Thanksgiving Sangria
Dry white wine, apple cider and bourbon soak up diced red and green apples, orange slices, pomegranate arils and sprigs of rosemary while the pitcher chills. At least an hour in the fridge lets the flavors meld, which makes it an easy one to mix before the first guest arrives. An optional splash of ginger beer on top adds spice and fizz.
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4
a green champagne bottle pours champagne into a pomegranate mimosa
Pomegranate Mimosa
Ruby-red pomegranate juice gives a classic mimosa a deeper, fruitier edge, and the color looks right at home beside the cranberry sauce. Champagne fills the rest of the glass, with a few arils on top for a pretty finish. A small splash of orange liqueur is optional, but it adds a citrus depth that juice and bubbly alone lack.
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5
Mulled wine in a gold cup with cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
Mulled Wine
Cloves and cinnamon sticks perfume a pot of red wine sweetened with brown sugar and balanced with orange and lemon juice. Merlot or cabernet sauvignon works well here, and navel oranges add a citrus note. A ladle of it handed to guests at the door sets the tone for the evening.
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November Flavors

Cranberry, pear, pomegranate, maple and warm spice take over the glass once the weather turns. Bourbon, gin and vodka drinks share the month with alcohol-free sips built on the same flavors, and each one works for a quiet evening in or a full house.

6
A glass of amber-colored cocktail with ice and an orange peel, featuring a geometric gold pattern, sits on a white surface next to a jar and a decanter.
Maple Old-Fashioned
Pure maple syrup takes the place of the usual sugar in this old-fashioned, adding a deep, woodsy sweetness that suits bourbon. Clove and cinnamon bitters bring in the spice, and a twist of orange zest adds a bright, aromatic finish. A spiced maple syrup option is included for anyone who wants even more warmth in the glass.
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7
Two glasses of a clear drink garnished with pear slices and rosemary, with a sliced pear and a bowl of whole pears in the background.
Spiced Pear Cocktail
Every layer of this gin cocktail leans on pear, from the ginger pear syrup flavored with cinnamon and cloves to the splash of pear juice and the ginger ale on top. A pear slice, cinnamon stick and sprig of rosemary finish the glass. The syrup makes enough for about six drinks, which means one batch covers a full round for company.
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8
Two pink cocktails in scalloped glasses, garnished with sugared cranberries and thyme sprigs, with a gold jigger and burgundy cloth nearby on a white surface.
Cranberry Martini
If a Cosmopolitan is already a favorite, this cranberry martini is the cooler-weather follow-up. Vodka, cranberry juice, orange liqueur and lemon juice keep things sharp, while a thyme syrup adds a savory, herbal depth. The result is tart, herbal and just sweet enough to stand up to the richest dishes on the table.
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9
Two glasses of pomegranate juice with lemon garnishes on a table, next to a bowl of pomegranate seeds and a half pomegranate. Glasses have a star pattern on them.
Sparkling Pomegranate Mocktail
Sparkling apple cider lifts tart pomegranate juice and fresh lemon in this glass, with a few dashes of non-alcoholic bitters adding the depth of a classic cocktail. Served in a well-chilled flute, it needs no ice, which keeps the flavors from watering down. A lemon twist and a few pomegranate arils turn it into a toast-ready pour.
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10
A clear glass mug filled with dark red liquid sits on a wooden coaster beside an orange and cinnamon sticks.
Non-Alcoholic Mulled “Wine”
A deep ruby color and a wine-like body come from pomegranate and tart cherry juices in this warm drink, while apple cider, cranberry juice and maple syrup round out the fruit. Orange slices, cloves, cinnamon and fresh ginger supply the spice. A slow cooker on the lowest setting keeps it at serving temperature for as long as the party lasts.
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Drink Holidays

November tucks a few small holidays in around the big one, and each gives a reason to mix something. Happy Hour Day calls for a little sparkle, Espresso Day for a coffee cocktail and Black Friday for something dark and easy.

11
Two champagne margaritas sit on a gold tray along with lime wedges and a champagne cork.
Champagne Margarita
National Happy Hour Day lands on Nov. 12, and a sparkling margarita is a fitting way to mark it, with blanco tequila, Grand Marnier and lime juice topped with champagne. Agave and a dash of orange bitters keep the balance, and a salt or sugar rim and a lime wedge finish the glass. The tequila base can be mixed ahead, so each glass only needs a pour of champagne at the last minute.
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12
A cocktail served in a coupe glass, garnished with whole star anise, with coffee beans and cocktail tools in the background.
Chai Espresso Martini
A homemade chai syrup, steeped from chai tea and sweetened with granulated and brown sugar, gives the classic espresso martini a spiced, mellow edge. Vanilla vodka, cooled espresso and coffee liqueur keep the drink rich and smooth, with a star anise pod and a few coffee beans on top. National Espresso Day on Nov. 23 is a good reason to try it.
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13
A glass of dark liquor with a large ice cube, set on a white surface.
Black Russian
Vodka and coffee liqueur over ice make a smooth, dark, coffee-forward sip with almost no work. Its inky color suits Black Friday on Nov. 27, when the cooking is done and an easy pour is all anyone wants to make. Anyone who likes a White Russian can think of this as the same drink without the cream.
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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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