59 Best Thanksgiving Cocktails to Celebrate this 2023
You know the drill. Thanksgiving is approaching, the excitement is building, and your culinary skills are ready to shine. But then it hits you - what about the drinks?
You want to deliver the best Thanksgiving cocktails that will make your guests’ taste buds dance, but you’re not sure where to start. You’re not alone.
This is a common problem that many Thanksgiving hosts face. But fear not! We’ve got you covered.
Understand Thanksgiving Cocktails
Thanksgiving cocktails are more than just an accompaniment to the meal; they're a celebration of the season. They often feature warm spices, fall fruits, and cozy, comforting flavours.
Now that you know what you're aiming for, let's get down to the nitty-gritty - the cocktails themselves.
Best Thanks Giving Cocktails
Classics
Hot Buttered Rum
A warm, comforting blend of dark rum, butter, brown sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for a chilly Thanksgiving evening.
Mulled Wine
A classic holiday drink featuring a combination of wine, brandy, citrus, and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Its festive flavours make it a Thanksgiving favorite.
Manhattan
This classy cocktail, made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, adds a touch of elegance to any Thanksgiving gathering.
Pumpkin Spice Martini
Vodka, pumpkin spice liqueur, half-and-half, and a touch of nutmeg bring the essence of pumpkin pie into a cocktail glass.
Apple Cider Mimosa
A festive twist on the traditional mimosa, this version uses apple cider instead of orange juice. Top it off with champagne for a bubbly, fruity delight.
Cranberry Old Fashioned
This Thanksgiving variation of the Old Fashioned uses cranberry sauce and orange bitters, giving it a festive, fall twist.
Bourbon Maple Cider
A robust mix of bourbon, lemon juice, apple cider, and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness, this cocktail offers a taste of autumn in a glass.
Spiked Pumpkin Eggnog
Traditional eggnog gets a Thanksgiving makeover with the addition of pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. A generous splash of rum adds the final touch.
Cranberry Margarita
Tart cranberry juice brings a Thanksgiving twist to the classic margarita. A sugared or salted rim provides the perfect finish.
Apple Brandy Hot Toddy
This comforting drink combines apple brandy with honey, lemon juice, and hot water. It's like a warm blanket for your insides.
Modern Twist
Spiced Cranberry
The tartness of cranberries combined with traditional margarita ingredients creates a perfect balance, and the warm spices offer a festive touch.
Pumpkin Spiced White Russian
The classic creamy White Russian gets an autumnal makeover with the addition of pumpkin spice, making it a sweet and comforting after-dinner cocktail.
Apple Cider Mojito
This cocktail is a brilliant blend of traditional mojito ingredients with a fall favorite, apple cider, making it a refreshing yet season-appropriate choice.
Bourbon Maple Leaf
The smoothness of bourbon, the sweetness of maple syrup, and the tanginess of lemon juice combine to create a cocktail that captures the essence of fall.
Salted Caramel Martini
This decadent cocktail is the perfect dessert drink, blending the sweetness of caramel with a hint of sea salt for an irresistible savory touch.
Blackberry Sage Old Fashioned
The addition of blackberries and sage gives a fresh, herbaceous twist to the classic Old Fashioned, adding complexity and depth of flavour.
Chai Tea Hot Toddy
This warm cocktail infuses the comforting flavours of chai into the traditional Hot Toddy, making it an ideal drink to wind down with after your Thanksgiving feast.
Pear Prosecco Spritz
Light and bubbly, this cocktail is a fruity and elegant variation on the classic spritz. The pear nectar adds a sweet, seasonally appropriate touch.
Spiced Orange Mimosa
This cocktail takes the popular mimosa to the next level by incorporating warm spices. It's perfect for starting your Thanksgiving day on a festive note.
Pomegranate Ginger Paloma
This vibrant and tangy cocktail adds an exciting twist to the classic Paloma with the addition of pomegranate juice and ginger beer, bringing a sweet-spicy touch.
Warm Drinks
Hot Apple Cider
This warm, fruity, and spiced drink is a classic that's perfect for sipping on a chilly Thanksgiving evening.
Chai-infused Bourbon
The warmth of chai spices pairs perfectly with the bite of bourbon, creating a unique and comforting cocktail.
Hot Toddy
A classic hot toddy can soothe a sore throat, but it's also a comforting drink perfect for winding down a Thanksgiving meal.
Irish Coffee
The warmth of coffee and the kick of whiskey make this an ideal after-dinner drink.
Hot Spiced Wine
Spiced wine is a delicious winter warmer that's full of flavour, and it can easily be made in large batches for guests.
Caramel Hot Chocolate Rum
A boozy hot chocolate is perfect for those with a sweet tooth and can be made kid-friendly by omitting the rum.
Pumpkin Spice Latte with Bourbon
The favorite fall beverage gets a grown-up twist with the addition of bourbon.
Maple Buttered Rum
This twist on a classic hot buttered rum is sweeter and has a bit of a fall flavour thanks to the maple syrup.
Spiked Apple Cider
Another take on hot apple cider, this drink is sweet and comforting, with a kick from the vodka.
Ginger Hot Toddy
Ginger adds a spicy and warm touch to this classic hot toddy recipe, perfect for those chilly Thanksgiving nights.
Non-alcoholics
Cranberry Sparkler
This bright and bubbly drink combines sweet and tart flavours with a refreshing fizz.
Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
This bright and bubbly drink combines sweet and tart flavours with a refreshing fizz.
Apple Cider Punch
A refreshing punch that blends tangy, sweet, and sparkling notes.
Cinnamon Pear Mocktail
The warmth of cinnamon and the sweetness of pear create a cozy, comforting drink.
Ginger Spice Mocktail
A spicy, refreshing mocktail with a sharp ginger bite and a fresh minty finish.
Honey Spiced Latte
This comforting, warm latte is perfect for the adults to sip on while the turkey is roasting.
Non-alcoholic Mulled Wine
This comforting, warm latte is perfect for the adults to sip on while the turkey is roasting.
Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
A vibrant, tangy punch that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Maple Apple Cider
A warm and comforting beverage that combines the tartness of apple cider with the sweetness of maple.
Non-alcoholic Sangria
A festive and colorful drink that brings the joy of sangria to the Thanksgiving table, without the alcohol.
Regional Specialties
New England Cranberry Glogg
Popular in New England, this Scandinavian-inspired drink is a comforting blend of wine, brandy, cranberries, and warm spices.
Southern Pecan Pie Bourbon Shake
This rich and creamy cocktail from the South combines bourbon, pecan pie filling, and ice cream into a heavenly drink.
Midwest Apple Brandy Old Fashioned
A Midwestern favorite, this cocktail features apple brandy instead of whiskey for a fruity twist on the classic Old Fashioned.
California Citrus Sangria
Representing the West Coast, this sangria is a refreshing blend of white wine, brandy, and a variety of citrus fruits, perfect for a Californian Thanksgiving.
Southwest Tequila Sunset
Inspired by the vibrant sunsets of the Southwest, this cocktail combines tequila, orange juice, and a splash of grenadine.
Pacific Northwest Blackberry Bramble
Paying tribute to the plentiful blackberries of the Pacific Northwest, this cocktail mixes gin, lemon juice, and a homemade blackberry syrup.
Florida Key Lime Martini
This martini takes you to the Sunshine State with its tart key lime juice, vanilla vodka, and a graham cracker rim for that key lime pie feel.
Rocky Mountain Whiskey Chai
This warm and comforting drink from the Rocky Mountain region combines the spice of chai tea with the robust flavour of local whiskey.
Texas Spicy Margarita
Representing Texas, this cocktail adds a kick to the classic margarita with a splash of spicy jalapeño simple syrup.
Experimental Concoctions
Caramel Corn Old Fashioned
Adds a sweet and salty twist to the classic Old Fashioned with a caramel corn-infused bourbon.
Spiced Pear and Ginger Bear Fizz
This cocktail features pear-infused vodka and spicy ginger beer, resulting in a drink that's exciting, fresh, and utterly surprising.
Roasted Chestnut Martini
The nutty, roasted flavours of this cocktail make it a unique and festive choice for Thanksgiving.
Pumpkin Chai Latte Cocktail
A unique blend of pumpkin and chai that bridges the gap between dessert and cocktail.
Cranberry-Jalapeño Margarita
The spicy kick from the jalapeño adds a fiery twist to the traditional margarita.
Salted Caramel Apple Martini
A sweet and salty cocktail that elevates the traditional apple martini to a new level.
Bacon Bourbon Old Fashioned
The smoky flavour of bacon combined with the sweetness of maple syrup adds a savory twist to this classic cocktail.
Sweet Potato Pie Cocktail
This cocktail takes the essence of sweet potato pie and turns it into a delicious and surprising drink.
Pecan Pi Manhattan
This cocktail captures the rich and nutty flavour of pecan pie, adding an indulgent touch to the classic Manhattan.
Herbed Cranberry Vodka Tonic
The herbal flavours of this cocktail are complemented by the tangy cranberry, making it a refreshing and inventive choice for Thanksgiving.
Finding the perfect Thanksgiving cocktails shouldn't' be a chore. It should be an exciting exploration of flavours and textures, a chance to wow your guests and elevate your meal.
With this list, you’re armed with 59 of the best Thanksgiving cocktails to make your celebration truly unforgettable.
Now we want to hear from you! Have you tried any of these cocktails? Or do you have a Thanksgiving cocktail recipe that’s a hit every year?
Remember, the best Thanksgiving cocktail is the one you enjoy the most. So, whether you stick to the classics, venture into modern twists, keep it warm, go alcohol free, embrace regional specialties, or dive into experimental concoctions, the key is to enjoy the process.
Mix, taste, share and celebrate. After all, that’s what Thanksgiving is all about. Cheers!
