Thanksgiving deserves a good drink, too. Whether you’re sipping something while dinner finishes in the oven or mixing cocktails for everyone after the pie is served, these easy Thanksgiving drinks bring all those cozy fall flavors to the table.
There’s a little bit of everything here, from cranberry and apple cider to maple, pear, pecan and pumpkin. Most require only a handful of ingredients, so you won’t have to play bartender all day when there’s already enough happening in the kitchen.
1. Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
2 oz bourbon
3 oz apple cider
½ oz fresh lemon juice
1 tsp pure maple syrup
Pinch of cinnamon
Ice
Instructions
Fill a glass with ice. Add bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice, maple syrup and cinnamon. Stir well. Garnish with an apple slice or cinnamon stick, if desired.
2. Cranberry Moscow Mule
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
2 oz vodka
2 oz cranberry juice
½ oz fresh lime juice
3 oz ginger beer
Ice
Instructions
Fill a copper mug or glass with ice. Add vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and gently stir. Garnish with fresh cranberries and lime, if desired.
3. Maple Old Fashioned
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
2 oz bourbon
1 tsp pure maple syrup
2 to 3 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel
Ice
Instructions
Add bourbon, maple syrup and bitters to a rocks glass. Stir until combined. Add a large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel.
4. Caramel Apple Martini
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
2 oz vodka
2 oz apple cider
½ oz caramel syrup
Ice
Cinnamon sugar, optional for rim
Instructions
If desired, coat the rim of a martini glass with cinnamon sugar. Add vodka, apple cider, caramel syrup and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into the glass. Garnish with a thin apple slice.
5. Cranberry Orange Spritz
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
3 oz Prosecco
2 oz cranberry juice
1 oz sparkling water
½ oz fresh orange juice
Ice
Instructions
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add cranberry and orange juices. Pour in the Prosecco and sparkling water and gently stir. Garnish with an orange slice and a few cranberries.
6. Spiced Pear Mule
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
2 oz vodka
2 oz pear nectar
½ oz fresh lime juice
3 oz ginger beer
Pinch of cinnamon
Ice
Instructions
Fill a mug or glass with ice. Add vodka, pear nectar, lime juice and cinnamon. Top with ginger beer and stir gently. Garnish with a pear slice or cinnamon stick.
7. Pecan Pie Cocktail
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
1½ oz bourbon
1 oz Irish cream liqueur
½ oz pecan syrup
1 oz half-and-half or heavy cream
Ice
Instructions
Add bourbon, Irish cream, pecan syrup, cream and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake until cold. Strain into a small cocktail glass or pour over fresh ice. Garnish with chopped pecans or a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.
8. Apple Cider Margarita
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
2 oz tequila
2 oz apple cider
½ oz orange liqueur
½ oz fresh lime juice
Ice
Cinnamon sugar, optional for rim
Instructions
Coat the rim of a glass with cinnamon sugar, if desired. Add tequila, apple cider, orange liqueur, lime juice and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain over fresh ice.
9. Pumpkin White Russian
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
1½ oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
1 oz heavy cream or half-and-half
1 Tbsp pumpkin puree
¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
Ice
Instructions
Add vodka, coffee liqueur, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice to a glass and stir well. Add ice and slowly pour the cream over the top. Stir before drinking, or leave it layered for serving.
10. Cranberry Bourbon Fizz
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
2 oz bourbon
2 oz cranberry juice
½ oz fresh orange juice
2 oz sparkling water
Ice
Instructions
Fill a glass with ice. Add bourbon, cranberry juice and orange juice. Top with sparkling water and gently stir. Garnish with fresh cranberries, orange and a small rosemary sprig, if desired.
Make Thanksgiving Drinks Easy
If you’re serving several people, set out the garnishes, glasses and mixers before guests arrive so you aren’t searching the kitchen for cinnamon sticks while the turkey needs attention. Apple slices, fresh cranberries, orange wedges and cinnamon sticks can also double as simple Thanksgiving drink decorations.
You don’t need a fully stocked bar, either. Pick two or three cocktails from the list that use similar ingredients and let everyone choose their favorite. Bourbon lovers have plenty of options here, while vodka, tequila and sparkling wine give everyone else something festive to sip.
Please drink responsibly. For adults 21 and older.
