THANKSGIVING COCKTAILS
WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT
As fall settles in, Thanksgiving menus start to take shape. Most Thanksgiving drinks lists stop at cider. But not ours. Think crisp apple, fragrant vanilla, pumpkin spice, tart cranberry, ginger, cinnamon and maple syrup, whether you’re hosting the main meal or a Friendsgiving.
What Are Some Easy Thanksgiving Cocktails?
There are plenty of easy Thanksgiving cocktails, but 15 of our favorites are below, from classics like the Vodka Cranberry and Appletini to seasonal serves like the Pumpkin Pie Martini, Falling Leaves and Maple Leaf. Several are alcohol-free, including the Virgin Appletini, Virgin Cosmopolitan and Gentle Sea Breeze. Each one links to a full recipe.
When Is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving in the United States falls on the fourth Thursday of November. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. Friendsgiving, a Thanksgiving-style meal shared with friends, is often held in the weeks around the holiday.
What Are Some Apple Cocktails for Thanksgiving?
Apple cocktails for Thanksgiving include the Apple Pie Shot, Apple Blossom and Appletini, all built around apple flavor. Apple pie is a Thanksgiving staple, so these carry the same flavor into the glass.
Apple Pie Shot
The Apple Pie Shot is made with Absolut Vanilia, apple juice and lemon juice, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a slice of fresh apple. It takes its cue from the dessert it’s named after, which makes it a natural toast at the Thanksgiving table.
Here’s how to make an Apple Pie Shot.
Apple Blossom
The Apple Blossom is made with Apple Jack, apple juice, freshly pressed lemon juice and maple syrup. Apple Jack is an American brandy made from apple cider, aged in wooden barrels for a minimum of two years before it’s bottled.
Appletini
The Appletini is a vodka cocktail made with Absolut Vodka, apple liqueur, apple juice, lemon juice and simple syrup. The lemon keeps it tart rather than dessert-sweet, which helps if there’s already pie on the menu. It’s a little sweet, a little tart and clearly apple.
What Are Some Cranberry Cocktails for Thanksgiving?
Cranberry cocktails for Thanksgiving include the Vodka Cranberry and The Thanksgiving Punch. Cranberry is already on the Thanksgiving table as a sauce, so it’s a natural fit for the drinks list.
The Thanksgiving Punch
The Thanksgiving Punch is made with sweetened cranberry juice, lemonade and ginger ale, garnished with a lemon wedge. Because it’s served as a punch, it suits a large number of guests, and its tart, bubbly flavor sits well alongside the rich, savory dishes on the Thanksgiving table.
See our recipe for The Thanksgiving Punch.
Vodka Cranberry
The Vodka Cranberry cocktail is made for Thanksgiving. After all, if there’s just one ingredient synonymous with the holiday season, it’s got to be Cranberry. With this in mind, no holiday Thanksgiving cocktail list would be complete without the classic Vodka Cranberry. It’s the quintessential Thanksgiving cocktail. Best of all, it’s easy to prepare and balanced, making it a great Thanksgiving cocktail choice for a group.
What Are Some Spiced Thanksgiving Cocktails?
Spiced Thanksgiving cocktails include the Ginger Martini, Pumpkin Pie Martini and Falling Leaves, made with ginger syrup, cinnamon syrup, pumpkin purée and cider. They bring the flavors of the season into the glass.
Ginger Martini
The Ginger Martini is made with two ingredients: Absolut Citron and a dash of ginger syrup. It’s a short, citrusy drink with a ginger flavor, and the two-ingredient recipe suits a busy Thanksgiving host.
See how to make a Ginger Martini.
Pumpkin Pie Martini
The Pumpkin Pie Martini is made with Absolut Vanilia, milk, a dash of cinnamon syrup and a dollop of pumpkin purée. The combination is meant to taste like pumpkin pie in a glass, which makes it a natural dessert-style drink for Thanksgiving.
Falling Leaves
Falling Leaves is made with Absolut Mandrin, cider, cranberry juice and lemon juice, tied together with simple syrup and garnished with a cinnamon cane and a grapefruit wedge. The cider, cranberry and cinnamon make it a very fitting drink for the Thanksgiving season.
What Are Some Less Traditional Thanksgiving Cocktails?
Less traditional Thanksgiving cocktails include the Maple Leaf, Connecticut Bullfrog, Gold Rush and Ginger Cosmo, made with ingredients like maple syrup, honey and fresh ginger alongside whisky, gin, rum and vodka.
Maple Leaf
The Maple Leaf is made with Canadian whisky, lemon juice and maple syrup. It’s a little sweet and a little bitter, and it’s closely associated with Thanksgiving in Canada.
Connecticut Bullfrog
Although this cocktail originates from – you guessed it – Connecticut, it’s a much-welcome addition to any Thanksgiving cocktail selection wherever you’re celebrating, no matter which US state you’re in. It’s a harmonious well-balanced blend of gin, light rum, tart lemon juice, and a touch of maple syrup.
The Gold Rush
A twist on the classic Whiskey Sour, the Gold Rush is made with bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and honey, instead of simple syrup for a richer flavor. It’s a smooth, honeyed drink that fans of Whiskey Sours will love.
Here’s how to make The Gold Rush.
Ginger Cosmo
The Ginger Cosmo is a twist on the Cosmopolitan, made by shaking Absolut Vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec and lime juice with ginger, which adds a spicy flavor to the cranberry base.
What Are Some Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Drinks?
Non-alcoholic Thanksgiving drinks include the Virgin Appletini, Virgin Cosmopolitan and Gentle Sea Breeze, made with apple, cranberry, citrus and grapefruit juices and no spirit. They give guests who aren’t drinking something made to match the menu.
Virgin Appletini
The Virgin Appletini is an alcohol-free Appletini made with apple juice, lemon juice and simple syrup, garnished with a crisp green apple slice. It’s tart and fruity, and it sits easily alongside the rest of the Thanksgiving drinks list.
Discover how to make a Virgin Appletini.
Virgin Cosmopolitan
The Virgin Cosmopolitan is an alcohol-free take on the Cosmopolitan, made with cranberry juice, lime juice and orange juice, balanced with simple syrup and a touch of orange bitters.
Here’s how to make a Virgin Cosmopolitan.
Gentle Sea Breeze
The Gentle Sea Breeze is an alcohol-free version of the classic Sea Breeze, made with cranberry juice and grapefruit juice and garnished with a lime wedge. It’s tart and fruity, and it’s a choice for guests who aren’t drinking.
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