40 Great Thanksgiving Cocktails

Here's the ideal Thanksgiving cocktail: the Pumpkin Martini! It’s creamy, it’s cozy pie spiced, and it’s made with real pumpkin for the best natural flavor. Even better, coat the glass rim in crushed graham crackers and you get a hint of crunchy sweet in each sip! This is the best cocktail for impressing your friends for any fall occasion. 

Ingredients: Vodka, heavy cream, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla

The bubbly apple cider spritz is one of the easiest fall drinks, pairing Aperol with apple cider and Prosecco. Build it right in the glass and top with an apple slice, and it’s perfect for any fall occasion: especially Thanksgiving!

Here’s a punch recipe that's even more delicious than it looks. Try this Thanksgiving Pomegranate Punch! This ruby red punch stars pomegranate juice and fresh citrus with a hint of maple syrup. Take one sip and it’s light, fruity, bubbly, and sweet tart: a true burst of refreshing flavors! Spike it or drink it non-alcoholic: either way, guests won’t be able to stop sipping it.

Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, lemons, oranges, soda water, maple syrup, bourbon or brandy

Once apple cider season rolls around, there’s one cocktail you absolutely must make with it. This Apple Cider Margarita! It’s tangy and balanced: the zingy tequila and lime pairs beautifully with the sweet cider. Top it off with a cinnamon sugar rim, and every sip is a delight. 

Ingredients: Apple cider, tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice

Looking for a signature Thanksgiving cocktail featuring cranberry and orange? Try this Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail! It’s balanced, sweet tart, and complex, fruity with intriguing notes from sweet vermouth. Because it stars cranberry and bourbon it’s ideal for fall or winter entertaining, like Thanksgiving dinner. But it works for any season and occasion! 

Ingredients: Cranberry juice, bourbon, orange juice, sweet vermouth

When it comes to festive Thanksgiving cocktails…well, this one might take the cake. Try this Pomegranate Prosecco Sparkler! The combination of sweet tart pomegranate, orange perfume and airy bubbles is one of the most satisfying in our list of cocktail recipes.

Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, Aperol, Prosecco

Here’s a spin on the classic whiskey sour that will have everyone talking: try this cranberry orange whiskey sour! This fruity combination is perfect for Thanksgiving. The bright berries add a fruity, tart intensity to the finish of each sip. Paired with bourbon, fresh orange and lemon juice, and maple syrup, it makes the best signature drink!

Next up in our Thanksgiving cocktails: Apple Sangria! This drink is made the traditional Spanish way, meaning it's bold and wine-forward. This fall variation features red and green apples and a hint of cinnamon. It’s crisp, cool and loaded with flavor, without overdosing on sweetness.

Ingredients: Apples, lemon, sugar, dry red wine, brandy, cinnamon, apple cider (optional)

Next up in our Thanksgiving cocktails and drinks, an impressive and fun drink: the Pomegranate Gin Fizz! The Gin Fizz is one of our favorite classic cocktails: sweet tart and refreshing, with a festive egg white foam. Take it over the top with this pomegranate spin: it elevates the sweet tart flavor and gives the drink a brilliant jewel-toned color!

Ingredients: Pomegranate Juice, gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, soda water

Looking for a Thanksgiving drink that exudes all the fall vibes? Try this Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail! Cider pairs perfectly with sweet and spicy bourbon in this sophisticated drink. It’s got a hint of lemon and a surprise ingredient that rounds out the flavors into a meld that’s intriguing, complex and highly drinkable.

Ingredients: apple cider, bourbon, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, orange bitters

Here’s stunning recipe for entertaining: try this Holiday Punch! It’s bright and bubbly, topped with citrus fruits, berries and herbs. Sparkling wine makes sweet tart bubbles, complemented by ginger ale, orange liqueur and pineapple juice. Take one sip and you’ll immediately want to take another! This punch recipe makes 12 servings and is ideal for any sort of gathering.

Ingredients: Champagne or Prosecco, or dry white wine, ginger ale, Cointreau (or Triple Sec), pineapple juice

This elegant cocktail the ideal signature Thanksgiving drink: the Pear Martini! This cocktail is great for fall and winter entertaining, and to be honest: it caught us off guard with its delicate, sweet flavor. Pear comes in two waves: a muddled fresh pear brings brightness, and pear vodka infuses a strong fruity aroma. 

Ingredients: Fresh pear, pear vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup

Looking for a pumpkin drink that’s sippable and not too sweet? Try our new favorite Thanksgiving cocktail: the Pumpkin Old Fashioned! This one is for bourbon-lovers: it’s a nuanced slow sipper with notes of vanilla, maple and spice. It’s barely sweet and bourbon-forward, ideal for sipping by the fireside or any fall occasion. While it’s bright orange, it tastes just like the Classic Old Fashioned you love…only cozier.

Ingredients: Bourbon, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla

Here's a Thanksgiving cocktail that's brilliant colors are perfect for this time of year: the New York Sour! This spin on the Whiskey Sour takes the classic up two notches. First you have the whiskey sour layer: sweet tart and perfectly balanced. Float a layer of red wine over the top and it adds intrigue, complexity, and a fruity acidity: not to mention a stunning vibrant two-toned layer.

Ingredients: Bourbon whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, red wine

Here’s a Thanksgiving drink that’s ideal for sipping by the fire on a chilly evening: Hot Buttered Rum! This spin is just sweet enough, cozy-spiced with cinnamon and allspice, and spirit-forward with boozy dark rum. Oh: and there’s just enough butter to make it lightly creamy. It’s enough to warm your toes…and your soul.

Ingredients: Salted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, dark rum, water

Here’s a fun Thanksgiving cocktail with gin that’s refreshing and sweet tart: the Bees Knees! It’s got a cute 1920’s name and a smooth flavor to match. The star? Honey syrup! Making simple syrup with honey instead of refined sugar adds a rich depth to cocktails. Combine it with lemon and gin, and you’ve got a refreshing cocktail that goes down easy. 

Ingredients: Gin, honey syrup, lemon juice

Looking for a hot drink for Thanksgiving? Try an Apple Cider Hot Toddy! Apple cider is the ideal balance in a hot toddy: it brings just the right sweet tart nuance to the flavor. Mix one up as a single serving, or make a big batch for guests like a spiked cider.

Ingredients: Apple cider, bourbon, honey lemon

Want a quick and easy cocktail that’s perfect for chilly weather? Try Fireball and Apple Cider! These two pair perfectly: spicy cinnamon blends seamlessly with tangy sweet cider. Take one sip and it will blow you away! Mix up fireball whisky just right and it tastes like a sophisticated craft cocktail perfect for fall and winter.

Ingredients: Fireball whisky, apple cider

What better way to start the Thanksgiving fun than a great Mulled Wine? Make up a big pot, and it fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma of toasted allspice and cinnamon. This recipe is just sweet enough, balancing the bold fruity wine with mulling spices, citrus, and oak and vanilla notes on the finish. 

Ingredients: Dry red wine, water, maple syrup, brandy or Cognac, allspice, cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, orange

Here’s a tasty, sweet tart spin on the vodka martini that you’ve got to try: the Cranberry Martini! It’s refreshing, zingy and perfectly balanced, starring Cointreau orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice. The bright red cranberry makes it an ideal signature Thanksgiving drink.

Ingredients: Cranberry juice, vodka, lemon juice, Cointreau, simple syrup

This classy cocktail has a retro name and a sweet tart flavor: it’s the Gold Rush! The name makes it sounds like a 1920’s mixed drink, but it’s actually a modern take on the classic whiskey sour. The combination of the zing of the lemon, the nuance of the honey, and the spicy whiskey finish is perfection. 

Ingredients: Bourbon whiskey, lemon, honey syrup

A stunning Thanksgiving cocktail? Try the Bourbon Manhattan! Over here, we love the smooth, sweet flavor of bourbon whiskey. While a Manhattan is classically made with spicy rye whiskey, we prefer it made with bourbon. The notes of oak, vanilla and caramel oak in bourbon are the perfect match for sweet vermouth.

Ingredients: Bourbon whiskey, sweet red vermouth, angostura bitters

Here's a fun pitcher-style Thanksgiving cocktail: Thanksgiving sangria! It features white wine mixed with cider, brandy, pumpkin butter, citrus, spices, and a splash of ginger beer. via Half Baked Harvest

Ingredients: White wine, brandy, pumpkin butter, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger beer

Here’s a spin on the classic that might be even tastier than the original: the Maple Old Fashioned! This fall cocktail uses maple syrup instead of sugar, along with the classic whiskey and bitters. Give it a swirl and a taste, and it’s even smoother than the original! The maple syrup adds hints of caramel and vanilla that give even more nuance and sophistication to each sip.

Ingredients: Bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura bitters

Got a bottle of St Germain elderflower liqueur? It's a must-have that makes a brilliant Thanksgiving cocktail! The unique sweet floral flavor it brings to drinks is brilliant. Combine it with cranberry juice and it’s sweet tart and perfectly balanced, with a bit of elderflower on the finish. 

Ingredients: Cranberry juice, vodka, St Germain, lemon juice, simple syrup

This cranberry punch is a festive, warming pitcher style cocktail that's perfect as a Thanksgiving drink! It stars a homemade spiced cranberry syrup with warming mulling spices, mixed with honey, citrus and vodka. via Half Baked Harvest

Ingredients: Cranberry syrup, cranberry juice, orange juice, vodka

Here's an easy Thanksgiving cocktail that's festive and sophisticated: the Kir Royale! This famous French cocktail stars black currant liqueur and sparkling wine: and the berries and bubbles suit each other perfectly. The best cocktail recipes are simple perfection, and there’s nothing better than this 2 ingredient combination.

Ingredients: Crème de cassis, champagne

Here’s a festive Thanksgiving cocktail that’s perfect for easy entertaining: the Apple Cider Mule! Everyone loves a classic Moscow Mule, and this seasonal spin is even more fun. It pairs apples and ginger in a bubbly, effervescent mix that looks perfectly cozy nestled in a copper mug.

Ingredients: vodka, lime, apple cider, ginger beer

This fun variation on the classic is the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail: the Cranberry Margarita! This bright red drink is absolutely stunning to look at, and the sweet tart flavor is crisp and refreshing. It’s got all the character of the classic margarita, but a beautiful new look and nuance to the flavor! 

Ingredients: Cranberry juice, lime juice, tequila, Cointreau, simple syrup

Last up in our favorite Thanksgiving cocktails: spiked apple cider! This spiked apple cider hits all the cozy notes, and it makes your house smell like a fall wonderland. Rum complements the cinnamon, cloves, and star anise perfectly. Make a separate non-alcoholic batch for the kids, or add the rum after serving.

Ingredients: Whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, apple cider, rum

Here's a spin on a classic cocktail that might be even better than the original: the Pomegranate Cosmo! This sweet tart drink pairs pomegranate, vodka, and orange liqueur in a symphony of flavor. You can use bottled pomegranate juice from the store, or make your own using the seeds from the fresh fruit.

Ingredients: Pomegranate juice. vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup or maple syrup

Looking for a sweet festive Thanksgiving drink? Try the Baileys White Russian! Using Baileys Irish cream instead of heavy cream adds even more sophistication to this classic drink. In fact, it tastes a bit like a Mudslide, which also features Kahlua and Baileys. 

Ingredients: Vodka, Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream

For a great Thanksgiving cocktail, look no further than this Apple Cider Martini! It’s no secret that apple cider is one of our favorite ingredients for fall cocktails. This one surprised us as a new favorite. It’s tangy and balanced, with just the right interplay between sweet tart cider and citrusy orange liqueur. It’s got a hint of cinnamon on the finish and beware: it’s very drinkable. 

Ingredients: Apple cider, vodka, Cointreau or Triple Sec, lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon

When it comes to Thanksgiving entertaining, the Moscow Mule is pretty ideal. It’s tangy and refreshing, easy to make right into the mug, and everyone always loves it. So get ready for the best new fruity spin: the Cranberry Moscow Mule! This drink has loads of sweet tart flavor, balancing crisp cranberry with tangy lime and spicy ginger. 

Ingredients: Cranberry juice, lime juice, vodka, ginger beer

Here’s a fall cocktail to add to your list this season: the Fall Margarita! A spiced apple cider syrup infuses major fall nostalgia into this simple drink. Add fresh lime and tequila and it’s the season’s signature drink! Whip it up as a single drink, or make a big pitcher to share with a crowd. Either way, it’s a cocktail to impress!

Ingredients: Apple cider syrup, lime juice, tequila

Looking for a warming drink with brandy? Try the Brandy Hot Toddy! This variation on the classic Hot Toddy is uniquely delicious, featuring the fruity, sweet taste of brandy with apple and cinnamon. Adding hot water opens up the flavor of the liquor so you can appreciate the complexity in each sip.

Ingredients: Brandy, maple syrup or honey, hot water, apple, cinnamon stick

Here's another Thanksgiving spin on one of the most popular cocktails: try the Pomegranate Margarita! Sweet tart pomegranate juice pairs perfectly with tequila and lime, balanced with the orange perfume of Cointreau. You can use either pomegranate juice or fresh-squeezed juice from the fruit, making it perfect for whatever you have on hand.

Ingredients: Pomegranate juice, tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, simple syrup

Here’s a classic whiskey cocktail that's perfect as a Thanksgiving signature drink: the Ward 8! Where the whiskey sour can be on the sweet side, the Ward 8 is perfectly balanced and tart. It features rye whiskey, but it’s not overpowering: there’s just a hint of spice on the finish. Add sweet orange juice and bright red grenadine for sweetness and color, and it’s a super balanced and intriguing drink!

Ingredients: Rye whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, grenadine

Here’s one of the most sophisticated and refreshing cocktails around: the French 75! It’s tangy, bubbly, and a bit botanical, and it makes every occasion more festive! Perfect for entertaining, this classic French-born cocktail is ideal for anything from a brunch to a dinner party with friends to Thanksgiving.

Ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Prosecco or champagne

To round out a Thanksgiving meal, try Irish coffee! There’s nothing more soul warming than that classic combination of bitter coffee, buttery whisky and frothy whipped cream. There are infinite variations on the spiked coffee theme, too. Try Baileys Coffee or Amaretto Coffee.

Or for a non-alcoholic version, try Homemade Hot Chocolate!

Ingredients: Coffee, sugar, Irish whiskey, whipped cream