15 Cocktails to Serve at Thanksgiving Dinner
Now that you’ve picked up the turkey, prepped your grandmother’s famous pie recipe, and stocked up on cranberry sauce, the only thing left to do is prepare a batch of festive libations to kick off your Thanksgiving feast. But what to choose? From show-stopping punches to smoky spiked ciders, the options are truly limitless. Of course, you should have wine and beer available to Thanksgiving guests. Some swear by serving champagne with Thanksgiving dinner. But we think your drinks should get just as much thought as the dishes you serve. Thoughtfully crafting a cocktail to complement your meal will give the day a feeling of special occasion, not unlike having a custom cocktail at your wedding. To make things easier for you, we’ve gathered 15 of the tastiest and most seasonal sippers to consider adding to your spread. Let the celebrations begin.
For more Thanksgiving inspiration:
How to Sex Up Your Thanksgiving Dinner
Yes, You Can Make Peach Schnapps into Awesome Cocktails
Every Turkey Recipe You Need To Make a Perfect Thanksgiving Meal
10 Sanity-Saving Thanksgiving Tips, Tricks and Hacks
Spiced Pumpkin Punch
Only food stylist and cookbook author Diana Yen of The Jewels of New York could create a cocktail so beautiful it competes with the turkey as the day’s showstopper. Get the Spiced Pumpkin Punch recipe here. (Photo: Courtesy of The Jewels of New York)
Apple Business Cocktail
Light, bright and bursting with apple flavor, this gin-based cocktail offers the perfect start to any holiday gathering. Get the Apple Business Cocktail recipe here. (Photo: Courtesy of Alice Gao for Liquor.com)
Pumpkin Pie Cocktail
Who says pumpkin pie can only appear at the end of the meal? Start the party with the flavor of your favorite dessert in this fun, boozy alternative. Get the Pumpkin Pie Cocktail recipe here. (Photo: PopSugar)
The Stonewall
For those who find apple cider a bit too saccharine, this cocktail tempers its sweetness with rum and ginger beer. Get The Stonewall recipe here. (Photo: Clinton Kelly)
The Classic Hot Toddy
After a day of walking through the woods, playing in the snow or simply cooking over the stove, everyone deserves a classic hot toddy in front of the fire. Get the classic toddy recipe here. (Photo: Carey Jones)
Spiced Pumpkin Horchata
Infuse your holiday with a touch of Mexican flair via this delicious mix of pumpkin puree, coconut milk, and vanilla rum. Yum! Get the horchata recipe here. (Photo: Courtesy of slimpickinskitchen.com)
Spiked Hot Chocolate
Kicking off a holiday staycation? Try putting a twist on your regular hot chocolate with this Winter in the Tropics variation (1 Tbsp. rum, whipped cream, toasted coconut). Get the spiked hot chocolate recipe here. (Photo: Food52)
Mr. Three Step
Turkey and brew sounds like an obvious combination. But how about upgrading your suds to a sophisticated beer cocktail? Get the Mr. Three Step recipe here. (Photo: Food & Wine)
Winter Squash Cocktail
Think: Everything you love about roasted butternut squash translated into a toasty sip. Get the Winter Squash Cocktail recipe here. (Photo: Sippitysup.com)
Champagne Cocktail
Fact: Thanksgiving food always tastes better with a few bubbles. This festive cocktail is a classic and could not be simpler to whip up. Get the Champagne cocktail recipe here. (Photo: James Ransom)
Mezcal-Spiked Apple Cider
Blogger Lily Diamond was inspired to create this festive fall cocktail by how well the smoky flavor of mezcal pairs with apples. Get the Rosemary Mezcal Apple Cider recipe here. (Photo: Lily Diamond)
Sparkling Pomegranate
Wake up guests from their tryptophan haze with this cheery red cocktail that features a dose of antioxidants. Get the cocktail recipe here. (Photo: Food and Wine)
1870 Sour
America is having a love affair with mason jars at the moment. Get on board the trend by serving this red wine cocktail combining zinfandel, blueberry jam and whisky inside of one. Get the 1870 Sour recipe here. (Photo: Liquor.com)
Fig & Bourbon Fizz
Surprise guests with this deceptively simple old-school libation. The secret ingredient? “A gooey dollop of fig fruit spread.” Get the fizz recipe here. (Photo: Liquor.com)
Black Barrel Sazerac
The Crescent City knows how to make a party feel cozy. This festive fall variation on the traditional New Orleans tipple swaps out whiskey for dark rum. Get the sazerac recipe here. (Photo: Liquor.com)
