What I love most about the holidays are the memories made with friends and family, and that includes the conversations over Thanksgiving cocktails before dinner. There’s nothing quite like the aroma of good soul food cooking, the sounds of a great holiday playlist mingling with the laughter of family and friends, cousins joyfully arguing while playing cards before dinner, and the table decorated with my great grandmother’s best china. And although waiting for the delicious stuffing, roast turkey, and an array of autumnal desserts is always the hardest part, the delicious pre-dinner drinks always seem to make it worthwhile. Regardless of your favorite wine, spirit, or cocktail, there’s plenty of delicious beverages to serve big groups and small gatherings alike. Before you finish up your grocery shopping and finalize your guest list, here are 11 Thanksgiving cocktails to add a booze-y touch to your holiday dinner.
Thanksgiving Punch
There’s two great reasons to love punch: as a guest, you can make multiple trips to the bowl without feeling guilty, and as the host, it’s easy to make. This punch by TikTok user @angelacarpenterrr has a lot of flavor with just a few ingredients, thanks to the sweetness apple cider, a zing from ginger ale, and fizzy champagne.
Apple Cider Cocktail
This apple cider cocktail is another great choice for a quick and easy batch cocktail with all the Thanksgiving flavors. In addition to apple cider and champagne, @taylorlovepeterson adds a splash of vodka to kick things up a notch.
Cranberry Orange Sangria
This sangria by @otrinfusionbar is a delight for the palate thanks to triple sec, cranberry juice, sauvignon blanc, and simple syrup. Add in cranberries, apples, and oranges, and feel free to let the fruit marinate in the sangria for 24 hours to get those flavors melding.
#SpoonTip: Short on time? The fruit can marinate for just 6-8 hours — perfect for morning-of prep.
Pumpkin Spiced Cocktail
TikTok user @johnrondi, aka Johnny Drinks, makes a unique pumpkin spiced cocktail that might just be better than the latte. Start by rimming a martini glass with caramel and dusting it with graham cracker crumbs, then mix pumpkin puree, orange bitters, Cointreau, and pumpkin pie spice in a cocktail shaker. For a final touch, garnish the drink with a cinnamon stick to stir.
#SpoonTip: Want to skip the holiday grocery store rush? You can make pumpkin pie spice at home with nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and ginger.
Candied Sweet Potato Cocktail
Sweet potato pie is a must at Thanksgiving dinners, so why not make it a a cocktail? @luvdanilee makes a casserole in a glass by combining, Bourbon, sweet potato simple syrup, and bitters, plus a marshmallow rim and garnish.
Butter Pecan Punch
Perfect for when the post-dinner sweet tooth strikes. This boozy cocktail float by @bev.bros is just three ingredients: vodka, cream soda, and Butter Pecan ice cream. You can make it your own and substitute vodka with your favorite spirits, but don’t change the ice cream.
Fig Jam Bee’s Knees
Figs are a wonderful flavor for fall, and @bevsbybeverly delivers with a strong cocktail featuring notes of warm fruit and bright citrus for an autumnal take on a Bee’s Knees. You’ll need Fig jam, lemon juice, honey simple syrup, and gin for an after-dinner drink to kick off the evening’s fun.
Pear Martini
This pear martini by @everydaycocktail is simple and delicious. Pureed pears, vodka, and lemon juice make for a simple cocktail that will become a go-to drink, even after the holiday.
Blackberry Ginger Vodka Sour
A good vodka sour made by @butternutbakery will liven up the holiday mood quickly. Start with a blackberry syrup then add lemon juice, aromatic bitters, and an egg white, which adds foamy texture without affecting the taste. Given the large quantity of egg whites required, this cocktail may be better for a smaller gathering if you’re saving your eggs for other holiday dishes.
Pomegranate Bourbon Smash
Bring on the bourbon. The oaky liquor is complemented by tart fruit in this cocktail by @joinjules, which features pomegranate, lemon, and orange juices, all shaken with bourbon and stopped with star anise.
Autumn Sweater
Just like the name, this drink will have you on the couch curled up in a blanket as you wind down from all the day’s festivities. Both sweet and comforting, this cocktail by @newporttrifoodie is made with orange and walnut bitters, Amaro Nonia and Amaro Averna, and rye whiskey. Cut yourself another slice of pie, kick off holiday movie season, and curl up with this cocktail for a festive nightcap.