Around this time of year, for many of us college students, we're being bombarded with papers, projects, tests, life, etc. Thankfully, there is a glimmer of light at the end of the dark tunnel: Thanksgiving break. I'm already envisioning that beautiful Thanksgiving meal as a form of procrastination. 

However, Thanksgiving with the relatives can be quiet overwhelming at times (I'm anticipating a record high stress level this year with the recent elections).

Here are 3 of the easiest festive holiday drinks to make this Thanksgiving. All are made with ingredients from my favorite one-stop shop, Trader Joe's. So grab your favorite cousin, start drinking, and pray for a Thanksgiving Miracle.  

Warm Cider and Rum Punch

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:5 mins
  • Total Time:10 mins
  • Servings:10
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 8 cups spiced cider
  • 2 cups dark rum
  • 1 apple thinly sliced crosswise
  • 1 orange thinly sliced crosswise
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
juice, sweet, cocktail, tea
Photo by Sofía Vainesman
  • Step 1

    Combine cider, apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks into a large pot.

    juice, wine, apple, alcohol, beer
    Photo by Sofía Vainesman
  • Step 2

    Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook for 5 minutes.

    lemon, orange, citrus, tea, juice
    Photo by Sofía Vainesman
  • Step 3

    Remove from heat and add rum. Serve warm.

Cranberry Spritzer Cocktail

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:8
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 5 cups sparkling cranberry juice
  • 2 cups vodka
  • 1 lime and cranberries for garnish
  • ice
sweet, juice, berry, fruit tea, cocktail, ice, tea
Photo by Sofía Vainesman
  • Step 1

    Pour cranberry juice and vodka over ice.

    wine, alcohol, liquor, beer, tequila, juice, ice, vodka
    Photo by Sofía Vainesman
  • Step 2

    Garnish with lime and cranberries. Alternatively, substitute vodka with white wine for a wine spritzer.

Pumpkin Spice Eggnog

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:8
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 4 cups eggnog
  • 1 cup spiced rum
  • 1 pinch pumpkin pie spice
sweet, milk, cream, chocolate, pudding, panna cotta
Photo by Sofía Vainesman
  • Step 1

    Add rum then eggnog to glass.

    tea, wine
    Photo by Sofía Vainesman
  • Step 2

    Sprinkle desired amount of pumpkin pie spice on top.