8 Festive Thanksgiving Alcoholic Drinks to Spice Up Your Celebration

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather with friends and family, share a delicious meal, and enjoy a few festive drinks that get everyone in the holiday spirit. Whether you’re looking for something warm and cozy or a refreshing cocktail to pair with your turkey, there’s a drink for every taste. And while the food steals the show, a thoughtfully crafted cocktail can elevate the entire experience.

If you’re hosting this year—or simply want to bring a little extra cheer to your Thanksgiving table—here are 8 festive alcoholic drinks to serve your guests. From classic autumn flavors to creative concoctions, these drinks are sure to impress.

1. Cranberry Mule

The Cranberry Mule is a vibrant twist on the classic Moscow Mule, perfect for fall. The tartness of cranberry pairs beautifully with the spicy zing of ginger beer, making this a refreshing but seasonal choice.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz cranberry juice (fresh or unsweetened)
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Fresh cranberries and lime slices, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a copper mug or glass, add vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
2. Fill with ice and top with ginger beer.
3. Stir gently and garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wedge.
4. Serve and enjoy the tart, festive flavors.

2. Pumpkin Spice Martini

Pumpkin spice everything! This martini brings the warm, comforting flavors of fall straight to your glass. Perfect for after-dinner sipping, this cocktail combines the richness of pumpkin with the smoothness of vanilla and vodka.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz pumpkin puree
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• 1/2 oz heavy cream or milk
• Pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg
• Crushed graham crackers, for rimming the glass (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rim a martini glass with crushed graham crackers (optional).
2. In a shaker, combine vanilla vodka, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cream, and a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. Add ice and shake until well-chilled.
4. Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
5. Enjoy the creamy, spiced goodness!

3. Apple Cider Bourbon Smash

Apple cider is a quintessential fall ingredient, and when paired with bourbon, it creates a deliciously warming and aromatic cocktail. The combination of sweet cider, zesty lemon, and smooth bourbon will have your guests coming back for seconds.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3 oz apple cider
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• Fresh rosemary or apple slices, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, apple cider, and maple syrup.
2. Add ice and shake until well-chilled.
3. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary or an apple slice.
5. Sip and savor the autumn flavors.

4. Spiced Pear Sangria

Sangria is a crowd-pleaser at any gathering, and this fall-inspired version features warm spices and fresh pears, making it perfect for Thanksgiving. It’s light, fruity, and perfect for serving in a large pitcher for easy entertaining.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle white wine (preferably dry, like Sauvignon Blanc)
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
• 2 pears, thinly sliced
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-3 whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the white wine, brandy, and orange liqueur.
2. Add the sliced pears, orange slices, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
3. Stir in the maple syrup for added sweetness (optional).
4. Let the sangria sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Serve chilled, garnished with a cinnamon stick or extra fruit slices.

5. Hot Buttered Rum

When the weather turns chilly, nothing beats a warm, spiked drink to keep you cozy. Hot Buttered Rum is a classic fall and winter cocktail that’s rich, spiced, and comforting—perfect for sipping by the fire.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark rum
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• Boiling water
• Cinnamon stick, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a mug, combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Pour in the dark rum and top with hot water (about 6 oz).
3. Stir until the butter and sugar dissolve completely.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
5. Sip and savor the warm, spiced richness.

6. Maple Old Fashioned

This twist on the classic Old Fashioned adds a fall-inspired maple syrup element, which brings out the deep, rich flavors of the bourbon. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy before or after the Thanksgiving feast.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters.
2. Add ice and stir until chilled.
3. Strain into a glass with a large ice cube.
4. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
5. Enjoy the smooth, smoky, and sweet combination of flavors.

7. Autumn Spice Margarita

Margaritas may be more commonly associated with summer, but this fall variation brings a cozy twist to the classic cocktail with warming spices and a splash of apple cider.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz apple cider
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• Cinnamon sugar for rimming the glass

Instructions:

1. Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar.
2. In a shaker, combine tequila, apple cider, lime juice, orange liqueur, and ground cinnamon.
3. Add ice and shake vigorously.
4. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge or apple slice.
6. Enjoy the perfect balance of spice and tartness.

8. Pomegranate Fizz

If you’re looking for something a little lighter and refreshing but still festive, the Pomegranate Fizz is a sparkling cocktail that combines the tang of pomegranate with the brightness of champagne.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (optional, depending on sweetness of your juice)
• Champagne or sparkling wine
• Pomegranate seeds, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine pomegranate juice, vodka, and simple syrup.
2. Add ice and shake well.
3. Strain into a flute or coupe glass.
4. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.
5. Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds for an elegant touch.

Final Toast: Cheers to a Memorable Thanksgiving!

These 8 festive Thanksgiving drinks are sure to bring some extra warmth and cheer to your holiday celebration. Whether you go for a cozy Hot Buttered Rum or a refreshing Cranberry Mule, these cocktails will enhance the atmosphere and give your guests something special to sip on throughout the evening.

So gather your ingredients, raise your glass, and toast to a beautiful Thanksgiving filled with delicious food, great company, and the perfect drink to match the occasion. Cheers! 🍂🍸🍁