From pomegranate mules to an apple cider Aperol spritz, I’m sharing easy seasonal cocktails for Thanksgiving that you and your guests will love.
‘Tis the season for seasonal sips.
During the holiday season, Thomas and I enjoy trading in our typical glass of robust red wine for a fall flavored drink.
While food generally takes the driver’s seat, a signature cocktail can make any special occasion even more extraordinary!
Admittedly my favorite liquor is bourbon. I’m all about the Old Fashioned with a large cube, and new to the list is the Boulevardier – my 2023 cocktail of the year that I discovered in Anguilla last year (made with smoked ice – omg so good!) This list features lots of fall flavors (maple, cinnamon, spice) and a mix of different levels of cocktail mixology level.
Prep ahead of time so you can enjoy the party
Play bartender ahead of time so you can focus on your guests while the party starts. Pre-mixing or prepping ingredients will help you mix drinks fast. I love anything that can be made in batches to save hands free time at the party.
If you want to serve a festive beverage to your guests this Thanksgiving, I am sharing some easy cocktails for Thanksgiving that are made with real ingredients like cranberry juice and spicy ginger beer (none of those pre-made mixes are needed for the best fall cocktails).
Shout out to the mocktails
While cocktails get all the attention, you may want to leave out the alcohol for some of these mixes for your guests who might not want the alcohol.
Here’s a list of 10 alcohol-free cocktail drinks if you’re looking to go more in that direction. Here’s another great list that is holiday themed.
Easy Cocktails For Thanksgiving
Whether you prefer vodka, gin, bourbon, tequila, or even champagne, this roundup of stunning spirits are perfect to pair with your Thanksgiving charcuterie board, cranberry sauce, apple pie, and the entirety of your feast – whatever you might be serving!
1. Kath’s Pumpkin Spice Bubbly
Kicking off the list is a simple accent to any house champagne or sparkling wine you have on hand: a pumpkin spice sugar rim!
This is an easy way to customize an after-dinner glass of champs. You can prepare the glasses with the spiced rim before entertaining and guests just need to pour in the wine.
It’s the perfect sweet-and-spiced flavor for the holidays!
Try it with a non-alcoholic sparkling wine too, like Surely.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp raw sugar, not brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 Tbsp real maple syrup
Directions
Mix the sugar and pumpkin pie spice on a small plate. You might need more depending on the number of glasses – if you scale up, just aim for equal parts of sugar and spice.
Pour the maple in a small bowl. Dunk your glass to coat the edge. Immediately dip in the spiced sugar.
Pour carefully so as not to disturb the sugar!
2. Cranberry Bourbon Sour via Half Baked Harvest
I love bourbon, so this cocktail calls my name! Homemade cranberry-orange simple syrup, warming bourbon, fresh citrus, and sweet candied rosemary.
This drink is easy to create; simply mix everything together for a merry cocktail that’s perfectly sweetened and so delicious!
This can be made ahead of time for easy holiday entertaining. I could sip on this all fall and winter.
3. Vanilla Pear Holiday Punch via Cookie & Kate
Make this pear punch for your holiday get-togethers!
It’s not too sweet. It tastes like pear, vanilla, spice and everything nice.
It’s a smooth, easy sipper, even with tequila inside. Yep, tequila!
I don’t think anyone would complain if this was their Thanksgiving drink.
4. Honeycrisp Crush via How Sweet Eats
Honeycrisp apple crush is made with honeycrisp juice, vodka and ginger beer.
This drink is so refreshing because it’s icy and cold and full of apple flavor without tasting like apple cider.
5. Pomegranate Moscow Mule via Crowded Kitchen
These beautiful Pomegranate Moscow Mules are an easy-to-make winter/holiday cocktail.
With pomegranate and orange juice, vodka, lime juice and ginger beer, they come together in just a few minutes.
Perfect for any holiday party!
6. Pumpkin Spice White Russian via The Cookie Rookie
If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side, this Pumpkin Spice White Russian Cocktail is exactly what you need to be sipping on this season.
This festive fall cocktail brings the perfect pumpkin flavor to a classic White Russian with the addition of pumpkin spice creamer.
Serve in martini glasses if you’re feeling extra classy.
7. Apple Cider Aperol Spritz via Joy & Oliver
The ultimate fall cocktail that will fit perfectly on your Thanksgiving table, this Apple Cider Aperol Spritz is sweet, sparkly, and has a touch of cinnamon spice!
My VA Hillary loves her an Aperol Spritz!
8. Cinnamon Tequila Sour via The Almond Eater
This Cinnamon Tequila Sour is the perfect fall cocktail that’s made with simple ingredients like tequila, cinnamon and fresh lemon juice.
A cinnamon stick makes the ideal garnish!
9. Pumpkin Pie Martini via the Pioneer Woman
Some people love their espresso martinis, but pumpkin pie martinis are my ideal after dinner drink – complete with whipped cream on top.
10. Pear Bourbon Smash via Just A Little Bit Of Bacon
As a bourbon gal, this one is right up my alley with maple, lemon, and allspice.
11. Boulevardier via NY Times
I have to give a shout out to my new favorite classic cocktail! It’s basically a Negroni made with bourbon instead of gin. While this drink is STRONG, it’s SO good! Not for the faint of heart, but perfect for those who like sweet bourbon drinks served up.
12. Apple of your Rye via the Bojon Gourmet
Made as a big batch in a pitcher, this recipe features Bulleit rye whiskey, apple cider, and a fresh apple garnish. Can you tell whiskey cocktail recipes are my fave!?
13. Hot Buttered Rum via The Spruce Eats
OK admittedly I have never had hot buttered rum, but doesn’t it sound good? Like if Harry Potter invited you to Thanksgiving cocktails, this is what he’d serve.
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14. Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour via Cookie + Kate
With just four ingredients, this bourbon/lemon/maple/cinnamon whiskey sour is much cozier than the summertime version ; )
15. A Long Winters Nap via Feasting at Home
Because that’s exactly what we’re going to need after trying some of these recipes! This one features ginger, cardamom, maple syrup, and star anise as the garnish. What a beautiful presentation that is great for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Mulled wine? Hot toddy? Do you have a favorite holiday cocktail?
Looking for non-alcoholic beverage ideas? Try these 10 alcohol-free cocktail drinks.
Courtney says
Hey Kath,
I have followed your blog FOR YEARS. I’ve watched you grow and change. Anyway, I want to tell you how I genuinely respect and appreciate you even more after reading this post. I’m coming up on a year sober on Saturday and I truly, truly appreciate you not just giving a nod but including people who are sober for one reason or another on this post. Not just as a second thought but truly included throughout.
Holidays can be hard for people who don’t drink. For me personally, it’s not because I miss the drinking part, it’s more in that everyone just wants to hand you a diet soda or club soda. Posts like these really show how to be inclusive to everyone. Just because people don’t drink alcohol, doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy fun drinks. I am a huge fan of NA craft beers especially Athletic and Wellbeing. I also enjoy alcohol free liquors and Nosecco.
Many, many people are going sober for one reason or another than ever before and the options out there are just amazing.
Thanks again.
Courtney
Kath Younger says
Im so glad. Thanks for taking the time to say so!