33 Tasty Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes

There’s not many people who don’t love Thanksgiving. This great big get together occurring in the colder months brings all the family around a big table for a fantastic turkey based meal that is guaranteed to fill us up. 

The drinks however are just as important with cocktails being some of the most common beverages served on Thanksgiving.

Not only are there smooth and rich colors enticing, their taste can also vary massively depending on what ingredients you use.

This makes cocktails perfect as a customisable drink for Thanksgiving that can be easily made and enjoyed by guests, no matter how picky they are, and therefore below we have listed 33 of the very best cocktail recipes (see also ‘33 Easy Yet Delicious Cocktail Recipes‘) that you can try out for when Thanksgiving rolls around.

1) Pecan Pie Martini

Starting with a strong drink that possesses some of that zesty pumpkin taste that goes great after a large filling meal, this cocktail can be whipped up in as little as 20 minutes.

This recipe makes good use of caramel and toasted chopped pecans which are first placed on separate small shallow plates.

Then, dip the rim of each of your glasses first into the caramel and then into the chopped pecans for a flavorful coating.

Combine some rumchata, creme de cocoa and bourbon into a large cocktail shaker, fill with ice, shake until cold and finish off with some whipped cream for a seasonal and tasty cocktail.

2) Thanksgiving Jungle Juice

An incredibly easy to make cocktail perfect for an eventful and exciting Thanksgiving party, all you need to do is mix 1 to 2 bottles of red wine, 3 cups of cranberry juice, 4 cups of ginger ale, a few apple and orange slices and a little bit of whiskey for a jungle juice cocktail bowl that can be shared around the table.

3) Pink Grapefruit Margaritas

A margarita cocktail bursting with color and an incredibly fruity flavor, while this cocktail can take a bit more preparation, it is well worth it as an excellent Thanksgiving treat.

Simply combine 4 cups of grapefruit juice, 1 cup of tequila and some orange and lime juice in a pitcher.

Next, combine some sugar, salt and chili lime and use a lemon wedge to rub them on the glass rim to finish off this cocktail that is perfect for lovers of fruitier drinks.

4) French 75 Cocktail

Thanksgiving is certainly a big occasion, for some of us it is the only time we are free to relax and see our family, and therefore it deserves a proper toast.

This bubbly yet balanced drink begins with a base of gin, lemon juice and simple syrup which is then shaken around with some ice and divided into each serving glass.

To finish this gin scented recipe off, garnish it with a lemon twist to add even more flavor.

5) Sidecar Cocktail

A classic cocktail that is oozing in style and sure to impress all friends and family members who join your Thanksgiving feast, this elegant drink is made by combining 4 ounces of cognac, 1 ounce of cointreau, 1 ounce and a half of lemon juice and ice in a cocktail shaker for 10-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, place some granulated sugar on a plate as coating on the glass rims and you will have yourself an incredibly smooth yet punchy cocktail.

6) Thanks Given Cocktail

This cocktail mixes in some familiar thanksgiving cranberry sauce with a little bit of vodka and cointreau for a beverage that blends in perfectly with a tasty turkey Thanksgiving meal.

Simply add around .5 ounces of cointreau, 1 ounce of vodka, .5 of fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp of cranberry sauce into a shaker along with some ice and proceed to shake.

Once nice and smooth, add a dash of sparkling wine and garnish with a sage leaf to really make this cocktail stand out.

7) Cranberry Cobbler

Another cocktail that uses the flavourful cranberry taste that many of us love having in every Thanksgiving meal, this drink combines cranberries with the other fruits and gin to make for an incredibly exciting mixture. 

While boiling a 3/4 cup of water in a saucepan, heat just a little bit of syrup in a separate pan on medium heat and add in 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries for 3 minutes.

Then proceed to mash together 2 tbsp of drained cranberries and 6 tbsp of cranberry syrup in a large pitcher, and gradually stir in some gin and sherry.

Strain into a medium pitcher, fill each glass with ice, and your cranberry flavored cocktail will be ready to go.

8) Ginger Spritz

If you have some guests coming over for Thanksgiving who you know are big fans of ginger beer, this cocktail is perfect. 

Place a thinly cut ginger slice against the inside of a glass with some ice, and add 2 ounces of lillet and 3 ounces of cava.

Top off with just a splash of ginger beer and this cocktail will be prepared and ready to drink in just a few minutes.

9) Two Ingredient Apple Cider Mimosas

As the name might suggest, this apple cider cocktail can be made incredibly easy with just two primary ingredients to give it its zesty and slightly sour flavor, those being apple cider and champagne.

Simply pour 3 ounces of apple cider into a champagne flute, followed by 3 ounces of champagne, finish off with an apple slice, and this beautiful cocktail is ready.

10) Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Another apple cider cocktail that is incredibly easy to make and perfect for a quick and easy Thanksgiving serving, this drink makes more use of hard apple cider to bring out its stronger flavor.

In a shaker mix together ice cubes, 4 ounces of hard apple cider, 3 ounces of ginger beer, lime juice and some citron vodka for about 5 minutes until smooth.

Serve with some apple slices, lime wedges and cinnamon sticks for an alternative but still tasty apple cider cocktail. 

11) Clementine Whiskey Smash

If you have fans of the warm soothing taste of whiskey on their way to the Thanksgiving party, a whiskey smash cocktail complimented by some clementine to add some added sweetness is the perfect way to go.

Start by placing 3 or 4 clementine segments in a jar and add some sugar before mashing them thoroughly so the juices are entirely extracted.

Then, pour a shot of whiskey into a glass with some ice and pour in the clementine mixture. Finish off with some cinnamon sticks for a thanksgiving drink that will be sure to please any whiskey fans.

12) Wild Turkey Cocktails

These festive and fun cocktails are great as a sweet appetizer in the evening once you’re stuffed full of delicious Thanksgiving food that makes full use of some sweet Wild Turkey American Honey.

Begin this recipe by simmering on a medium heat 4 cups of apple juice, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1 tbsp of whole cloves and just a splash of orange zest for about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, fill each glass half full of Wild Turkey American Honey and then strain the mixed ingredients through a fine sieve and into each glass along with a tablespoon of cranberry sauce for a pleasant evening refreshment.

13) Rum Toddy

Chances are no matter how many people are gathering around the table for Thanksgiving, at least 1 person is going to be a rum enthusiast, even if they don’t admit it.

Luckily the Rum Todd is simple to make while being extremely sweet and delicious, al you need to do is add 14 ounces of hot water, 6 ounces of dark rum, 6 tbsp of honey and .75 ounces of fresh lemon juice to a thermos and stirs for 5 minutes until smooth and delicate, it’s really that easy.

14) Pumpkin Martini

It’s hard to go through Thanksgiving without eating or drinking something that at least has a slight pumpkin taste to it, and this pumpkin martini is included in this, bursting with a unique zesty flavor. 

For this cocktail, the rim is actually the most important part.

Start by crushing some graham crackers on a plate and on a separate plate add a small pool of maple syrup and run the rim first around the syrup, and then over the crackers until completely coated.

Proceed to mix 2 ounces of vodka, 2 tbsp of canned pumpkin puree, 1/4 tbsp of vanilla extract and 1/2 ounces of coconut milk and carefully strain into the coated glasses for a delicious pumpkin based treat.

15) Pomegranate Mimosa

A fruity cocktail that can keep you energized after a hefty Thanksgiving meal, this bright red cocktail can be made by adding 2 tbsp each of pomegranate juice and aperol to a champagne flute and then tilting the champagne flute and adding some champagne or prosecco.

Both will give off an incredible sparkling taste that helps add some extra alcoholic flavor. 

16) Dairy Free Spiked Hot Chocolate

With Thanksgiving being in the colder months, sometimes it can be a good idea to serve up a cocktail that has a familiar warm feeling but still some alcoholic content to get a nice buzz while drinking, and this hot chocolate cocktail does just that.

Place 3 cups of unsweetened almond milk (see also ‘Which Brand Makes The Best Almond Milk?‘), 1/4 cup of cocoa powder and 2 tbsp of maple syrup in a small pan and let it heat for about 5 minutes.

When ready, pour in 1 ounce of amaretto at the bottom of a mug or glass, pour in the hot chocolate and finish off with some frothed almond milk.

17) Cranberry Sauce Margarita

A cocktail that makes full use of the fruitful flavor of thick cranberry sauce, begin by covering the glass rims with some brown sugar.

Meanwhile, fill a cocktail shaker with 2 ounces of tequila, 1 lime and 1 tbsp of chunky cranberry sauce.

Shake the ingredients for a few minutes, fiter into each glass and garnish with some fresh cranberries for that extra cranberry taste. 

18) Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned

This sparkling cocktail is easy on the taste buds but still bursting with sparkling sweet flavors that can be made in advance.

Start by boiling 1 cup of water and 4 chai tea bags for 10 – 15 minutes and then proceed to mix in some vanilla and let it rest for around 2 weeks.

Then when Thanksgiving Day arrives, mix together 1 ounce of bourbon andlemon juice along with 2 tbsp of chai syrup.

Strain into a glass, garnish with some cinnamon and you will have an exotic and smooth flavored cocktail at the ready.

19) Smoky Apple Cider Margarita

This cozy take on the classic fall cocktail makes for an apple cider that not only tastes great, but looks incrdible on a table next to a Thanksgiving meal thanks to its light smoky aesthetic.

Cover the rims first with salted cinnamon sugar and then in a mixer, add 2 ounces of tequila, 1/2 ounce of orange liquor, 4 ounces of apple cider and some lime juice for 5 minutes and then strain into each glass.

Garnish with cinnamon sticks and make sure to light them to create that warm and calming smoky effect.

20) Apple Cider Slushies

While Thanksgiving comes around in the colder months of Fall, on the occasion that it is a slighter breezier or sunnier day, a slushy cocktail can work wonders to keep you refreshed. 

Mix together 3 cups of apple cider, 1 juiced lemon and 2 cinnamon sugar doughnuts into a loaf pan and then freeze for an hour.

Next, remove the mixture and stir around with a fork before putting back into the freezer for another hour. 

When removed a final time, stir some more to make a deliciously cold icy cocktail for those warmer Thanksgiving occasions.

21) Warm Bourbon Cider

This cocktail is bursting with fall flavors including cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger and can be topped up with any spices of your choosing.

In a stockpot, heat up about 16 cups of apple cider, 1 tbsp of ground cinnamon and 2 1/2 tbsp of ground ginger and cinnamon. When the mixture is hot, remove from the heat and add 3 cups of bourbon. 

Distribute any spices of your choosing and you will have a fall flavored cocktail perfect for Thanksgiving.

22) Mulled Wine

Certainly a crowd pleaser, mulled wine is perfect if your guests have a range of different tastes and you want something mild that they can all enjoy. 

This festive cocktail is so easy to put together, simply simmer 6 cloves, 1 bottle of red wine, 1 orange, 1/4 cup of honey and 1/2 cup of brandy over a medium to low heat for 10 minutes.

Serve warm and garnish with some citrus slices for an extra tang of added sweetness.

23) Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

With the combination of cinnamon and smooth whiskey, there’s no cocktail that tastes quite like the Fall as this one.

Fill a cocktail shaker with 4 tbsp of maple syrup, 1 ounce of lemon juice and 1 and a half ounces of bourbon.

Shake well for about 5-10 minutes, pour fresh ice and strain the cold whiskey mixture into each glass for a cocktail that tastes just like Thanksgiving should.

24) Amaretto Sour

A cute looking cocktail which is sure to impress any and all guests, put 5 ounces of amaretto, 1 egg white, 3-4 juiced lemons and 4 tbsp. of cherry syrup into a blender and whizz them up until they are pale.

Prepare some ice on the side, pour the mixture into each glass and serve with a cherry for an adorable looking Thanksgiving cocktail.

25) Classic Snowball

It might not be Christmas just yet, but Thanksgiving is an exception for this festive cocktail right?

This recipe won’t even require a blender, simply add .5 ounces of lime juice into a glass along with 1.5 ounces of advocaat and sparkling lemonade and store in some ice until freezing cold for a festive cocktail that came early.

26) S’mores Martini

Marshmallows are both reminiscent of our childhood but are also great snacks to enjoy in the fall, and in a martini.

Cover each gass rim with marshmallow fluff with some water to make them stick, and some additional graham cracker crumbs.

Then shake up 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon and butterscotch schnapps along with some ice, pour into the glass and you will have yourself a martini that stands out thanks to its unique chewy flavor.

27) The ‘Slightly Sloshed’ Slushie

One of the most fruity cocktails you can find which can be a perfect replacement if you forgot the Thanksgiving desserts, it is also one of the simplest cocktails to make despite bursting with so much flavor.

To craft this slushie cocktail, combine 1 1/2 ounces of pear vodka, 1 1/2 of squeezable fruit puree (Pears, plums, apricots etc.) and some lemon juice in a blender.

Mix it on high for 10 seconds, and there you have it, a fruity cocktail that goes great as a delicate appetizer.

28) Sour-Cherry Gin Smash

Fizzy, sweet and always refreshing, it’s hard to go wrong with the herbal flavor of this cocktail that can be made in 5 minutes. Insert into the shaker 6 sour cherries and a single sugar cube until the cherries release their juices. 

Add an ounce of fresh lime juice and gin, shake vigorously and when served, top off with some ginger ale for an even more potent taste.

29) Cognac Apple Bellini

A seasonal cocktail that compliments a Thanksgiving feast perfectly with how easy it goes down, to prepare this cocktail soak a sugar cube by placing it on top of the bitter bottle, turn the bottle upside down and the bitters will soak the cube almost immediately.

Drop the cube in a champagne flute, pour in 2 ounces of apple cider and 3/4 ounces of cognac and top it up with some delicious sparkling wine.

30) Max’s Hot Apple Pie Cocktail

Talk about looking and tasting festive, for this seasonal drink combine 4 ounces of apple cider, 3/4 ounces of vodka and 1 ounce of schnapps and mix until warm. 

Pour the liquid into the mugs, serve with whipped cream and you’ll have a toasty looking drink that is disguised as a delicious cocktail.

31) Pomegranate Sparklers

A cocktail perfect for any occasion in the winter months and filled with a fruity pop taste, place a small tablespoon of pomegranate seeds at the bottom of each glass, and fill them halfway with a mixture of pomegranate juice and sparkling wine, it really is that easy.

32) Pumpkin White Russian

The delightful white Russian had to be on this list at some point, but this time with a seasonal pumpkin addition. In a shaker, mix together 4 tbsp of Kahlua, 3 tbsp of pumpkin spice and puree and 2 tbsp of vodka.

Shake well, pour over some ice and add a dash of pumpkin pie spice to make this fan favorite perfect for Thanksgiving.

33) Negroni Cocktail

An easy to make cocktail that is great for Thanksgiving, or really any big occasion where you want a exotic looking and tasting cocktail, all that is required to make this smooth tasting drink is combining 1 1/2 ounces of gin, red vermouth and campari in a mixer. 

Transfer to each glass after mixing thoroughly and finish off with some sweet orange twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Serve Cocktails At Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a time for showing love and respect to those around us, however it’s also a cause for celebrating and being able to take time out of our busy schedules to relax and chat with those we love most.

Cocktails can therefore be served at any time during a thanksgiving get together.

However, they are best served before the main meal as a light appetizers that can leave a good impression on guests, or while eating to provide a delicious refreshment among the huge amount of food that is scattered around the table.

Summary

With a huge section to choose from, try out some of these cocktails to find your new favorite to white up whenever Thanksgiving is right around the corner.