Hello, fellow food & drink enthusiasts! If you’re prepping for the big feast and want to elevate your holiday with something more exciting than just turkey and pie, you’re in the perfect place. Today we’re diving into thanksgiving cocktail recipes—yes, we’re talking fun, festive, fall-flavoured drinks that bring the “cheers” to your “give thanks”. Whether you’re entertaining family, hosting friends, or simply want to sip something special while you pretend you’re not eyeing the gravy boat for a refill, these seven cocktail recipes will have your guests raising their glasses and saying, “What’s in this?!”
We’ll keep it quick, easy-to-follow, and packed with flavour.
1. Cranberry Moscow Mule Twist
This is a lively, refreshing start to the evening. Cranberry + ginger beer = fall flavour with a kick.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- 4–5 oz ginger beer
- Fresh cranberries & a lime wheel for garnish
Directions:
Fill a copper mug (or glass) with ice. Add vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice, then top with ginger beer. Stir gently, garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wheel. The tartness of cranberry cuts through the ginger beer’s spice—perfect to offset the heaviness of turkey.
Tip: Keep a batch ready so you’re not stuck mixing one by one while the mashed potatoes get cold.
2. Spiced Apple Cider Margarita
For when you can’t decide between cocktail hour and dessert hour. Fall vibes incoming.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz triple sec
- 2 oz apple cider
- ½ oz lime juice
- Rim: mix of cinnamon + sugar
- Garnish: apple slice & cinnamon stick
Directions:
Rim your glass with the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Shake tequila, triple sec, apple cider and lime juice with ice. Strain into your rimmed glass over ice. Garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.
This one brings in the thanksgiving cocktail recipes vibe with spicy-sweet warmth that pairs beautifully with pumpkin pie or your favourite side dish behemoth.
3. Maple Bourbon Smash
For whiskey lovers or anyone who wants a cocktail that feels cozy and grown-up.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz maple syrup
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- Garnish: rosemary sprig or thyme
Directions:
Combine bourbon, maple syrup and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with a rosemary or thyme sprig. The maple syrup adds a rich, autumnal sweetness to the bourbon’s warmth.
Pro tip: This one works as one of your signature thanksgiving cocktail recipes—print it on your menu board if you’re hosting.
4. Pumpkin Spice Martini
Yes, we’re going there. Dessert in a glass that screams “It’s Thanksgiving!”
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz vanilla vodka
- 1 oz pumpkin puree
- ½ oz maple syrup (or a bit more, to taste)
- 1 oz heavy cream
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Garnish: whipped cream + sprinkle of nutmeg
Directions:
Fill a shaker with ice. Add vanilla vodka, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, heavy cream and pumpkin pie spice. Shake vigorously until chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
This one hits the sweet spot: indulgent without being over the top, and perfect for your list of thanksgiving cocktail recipes when you want something memorable.
5. Pomegranate Gin Fizz
Light, bubbly, and just a little elegant—great for guests who want something less heavy.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz pomegranate juice
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 2-3 oz club soda
- Garnish: pomegranate seeds + lemon twist
Directions:
In a shaker with ice, combine gin, pomegranate juice, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake, then strain into a tall glass with ice. Top with club soda and stir gently. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a lemon twist.
This makes your thanksgiving cocktail recipes list inclusive, because it’s slightly lighter and very pretty. Guests will Instagram it—and you’ll love the compliments.
6. Caramel Apple Martini
When you want a little fun and nostalgia in your cocktail glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz apple schnapps
- 1 oz butterscotch schnapps
- Caramel sauce for rimming
- Garnish: apple slice
Directions:
Drip caramel sauce around rim of a martini glass. Fill shaker with ice and add vodka, apple schnapps and butterscotch schnapps. Shake, then strain into rimmed glass. Garnish with an apple slice.
It tastes like the fair, the fall festival, and all the best bits of Saturday night rolled into one. Another star on your thanksgiving cocktail recipes lineup.
7. Cinnamon Maple Old Fashioned
A twist on the classic, ideal for winding down the evening or sipping slowly.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: orange peel + cinnamon stick
Directions:
In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, maple syrup and bitters with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel and a cinnamon stick.
This is the sophisticated end of your thanksgiving cocktail recipes set—bold, smooth, and best enjoyed after the meal when everyone’s talking turkey (or lamenting the football score).
Wrapping Up & Some Friendly Tips
There you have it—seven fun, flavour-packed thanksgiving cocktail recipes to take your Thanksgiving from “just dinner” to “oh yeah, this is a party”. A few final friendly notes:
- Make sure you’ve got pieces of garnish and appropriate glassware (or at least decent glasses)—presentation counts.
- Prep as much as you can ahead of time (syrups, juices, rim mixes) so you’re not stuck behind the counter while guests roam free.
- While we’ve focused on alcoholic drinks, you could absolutely adapt many of these to non-alcoholic versions by replacing spirits with sparkling cider, non-alcoholic spirits or even extra juices & club soda.
- Serve responsibly, and make sure non-drinkers and designated drivers at your gathering feel included.
- And of course: mix in that magic ingredient—gratitude. Raise your glass, say thanks, and enjoy the good company.
Want to take your hosting game up a notch? Check out our guide on Creative Serving Ideas for Thanksgiving Cocktails — from pretty glassware pairings to easy garnish hacks that’ll make your drinks look straight out of a magazine.
So, may your glasses be full, your turkey be juicy, your sides be plentiful, and your dessert be worthy of that extra scoop of whipped cream. Here’s to adding some flavour, laughter, and festive spirit to your holiday with these thanksgiving cocktail recipes. Cheers!
