24 Thanksgiving Holiday Cocktails to Liven Up Your Thanksgiving Day
Whatever your fancy, cocktails can enhance and elevate the day (and dishes) by creating certain flavour combinations and emotions, bringing forth certain pairings with the food, and increasing the enjoyment of the dishes.
In this list of our favourite 24 Thanksgiving cocktails, we've tried to choose seasonal ingredients, such as cranberries, pumpkin, warming spirits and spices - ingredients that try and capture the essence of fall, and traditions combinations that mirror some of the food options often found.
There's a mix here of warm and cozy vibes, with some creative and fun drinks. Some late night sippers and some day-time bubbles. We've also tried to give you some suggested food pairing for each cocktail, or when in the day the cocktail could be suitable for to help you find the right balance and timing for the drinks.
Whatever your tipple on the day, enjoy our list of our favourite cocktails for the holiday, and Happy Thanksgiving all.
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Features 24 cocktails
1. Pear-Rosemary Twist
The delicate sweetness of pear and the herbal aroma of rosemary create a sophisticated and aromatic cocktail that feels like autumn in a glass. Its light, refreshing profile makes it a perfect pre-dinner drink to awaken the palate.
Food pairing: Roast turkey with pear and cranberry stuffing.
Ingredients
Method
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- First make the pear vodka by sealing pears and vodka in a jar and letting it stand at room temperature for two weeks
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- Next make the rosemary syrup
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- Heat up the sugar syrup and add the rosemary to infuse its flavours, before allowing to cool
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- To make the cocktail put ice in a pitcher and add vodka, rosemary syrup and pear nectar
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- Top up with sparkling water and stir
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- Garnish with a rosemary sprig and serve
2. Maple Old Fashioned
Rich maple syrup and smooth bourbon bring a deep, earthy warmth that embodies the cozy, rustic feel of Thanksgiving. The addition of bitters adds complexity, making it an ideal choice for sipping as the evening settles in.
Food pairing: Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.
Ingredients
Method
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- In a mixing glass, combine maple syrup and bitters
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- Add bourbon or rye and ice, then stir until well chilled
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- Strain into a lowball glass over a large ice cube
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- Garnish with an orange peel and a maraschino cherry for a touch of sweetness and color
3. Pumpkin Latte
This creamy, spiced latte mirrors the comforting flavors of pumpkin pie, with cinnamon and nutmeg adding a cozy holiday touch. It’s perfect as a dessert cocktail or an indulgent afternoon treat during Thanksgiving celebrations.
Food pairing: Pumpkin pie or pecan pie.
Ingredients
Method
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- In a large pan, mix the milk, pumpkin purée, sugar and ground cinnamon
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- Heat gently, whisking constantly until the mixture just reaches boiling point
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- Transfer the mixture to three Irish coffee glasses
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- To garnish, top the glasses with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon sugar
4. Tequila Cranberry Cocktail
The tart cranberry juice and zesty lime offer a vibrant, refreshing contrast to the rich and hearty flavors of a Thanksgiving feast. This cocktail’s bright and festive presentation adds visual appeal to your holiday table.
Food pairing: Cranberry-glazed turkey breast.
Ingredients
Method
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- Wet the rim of a glass with a lime wedge and dip it into margarita salt (or sugar if preferred)
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- Fill the glass with ice
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- Pour in the tequila and top off with sweetened cranberry juice
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- Add a squeeze of lime juice and stir well
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- Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh cranberries
5. Spiced Port & Brandy Punch
A warm, aromatic punch combining ruby port, brandy, and cider creates a rich and inviting cocktail, enhanced by seasonal spices like cinnamon and cloves. This drink is perfect for serving a crowd while evoking the essence of the holidays.
Food pairing: Cheese and charcuterie platter with figs and nuts.
Ingredients
Method
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- In a large pot or slow cooker, combine the ruby port, brandy, apple cider, cranberry juice, and fresh orange juice
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- Stir in the honey or brown sugar to taste
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- Add the cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange and lemon slices
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- Warm over low heat, allowing it to gently simmer for 20-30 minutes, being careful not to let it boil
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- Ladle into mugs, ensuring each serving includes a slice of citrus and a few cranberries
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- Garnish with an extra cinnamon stick if desired
6. Poinsettia
The combination of cranberry juice and champagne delivers a light and effervescent drink that feels celebratory and festive. Its simplicity and vibrant red hue make it a stunning addition to any Thanksgiving toast.
Food pairing: Roasted butternut squash salad.
Ingredients
Method
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- Pour the triple sec and cranberry juice into a champagne flute and stir
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- Genttly top up with champagne
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- Add an orange slice garnish and serve
7. Mistletoe Margarita
This festive margarita combines the tartness of cranberry juice with the bright, citrusy notes of lime and orange liqueurs. It’s a colorful and refreshing cocktail that balances the richness of Thanksgiving dishes.
Food pairing: Spicy turkey tacos with cranberry salsa.
Ingredients
Method
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- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice
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- Add tequila, orange liqueur, Grand Marnier, white cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup
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- Cap the shaker and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds
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- Strain the liquid into a glass with fresh ice
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- Garnish the glass with 4 cranberries and a sprig of rosemary
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- Serve and enjoy!
8. Pumpkin Spice Margarita
he pumpkin purée and cinnamon elevate this margarita, infusing it with the warm, spiced flavors of fall while maintaining its refreshing citrus base. It’s a unique and seasonal twist on a classic cocktail.
Food pairing: Roasted acorn squash with maple glaze.
Ingredients
Method
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- Combine fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice, tequila, pumpkin purée and a splash of Cointreau with a scoop of ice in a cocktail shaker
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- Shake well and strain the concoction over ice and a splash of water into a whisky glass
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- Garnish with an orange twist and a pinch of cinnamon and serve
9. Calabaza Nog
A rich, spiced pumpkin nog combines the indulgence of a classic eggnog with the earthy sweetness of pumpkin and seasonal spices. It’s a decadent and warming treat for after dinner.
Food pairing: Bread pudding with caramel sauce.
Ingredients
Method
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- First you need to make the spiced pumpkin syrup
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- In a saucepan, add a cup of brown sugar, a cup of water, half a cup of pumpkin purée, and a teaspoon each of nutmeg, ginger, allspice and cinnamon
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- Over medium heat until slightly thickened
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- Remove from the heat and place a vanilla pod into the syrup and chill overnight
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- Strain through a cheesecloth and store in a covered container, in a fridge, for up to one week
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- Once the pumpkin syrup is ready, add all the ingredients except the bitters into a cocktail shaker with ice
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- Double shake before double straining into a chilled cocktail glass
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- Add the bitters and garnish with some freshly shaven nutmeg, then serve
10. Cranberry Collins
This twist on the classic Collins uses cranberry juice to add a tart, fruity punch, making it festive and light. Its sparkling soda water base refreshes the palate, making it ideal to sip between courses.
Food pairing: Cranberry and goat cheese crostini.
Ingredients
Method
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- Add all ingredients except soda water to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until the outside of the shaker becomes frosted
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- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice cubes, and top up with the soda water
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- Garnish with a lime wheel and serve
11. Pumpkin Sazerac
This cocktail combines the bold, bittersweet notes of a classic Sazerac with the warm, spiced flavors of pumpkin syrup. It’s a sophisticated and seasonal option for whiskey lovers at your gathering.
Food pairing: Duck breast with orange and spice glaze.
Ingredients
Method
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- Rinse a chilled glass with absinthe and discard the excess
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- In a mixing glass, combine cognac (or rye whiskey), pumpkin syrup, and bitters with ice
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- Stir until well-chilled
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- Strain into the prepared glass and garnish with a lemon twist
12. Pumpkin Whiskey Smash
Whiskey and pumpkin come together in a comforting, spiced cocktail that’s festive and perfect for the season.
Food pairing: Pumpkin ravioli with sage brown butter.