Thanksgiving Cocktails

21 Thanksgiving Cocktails | Festive Fall Drinks to Impress Your Guests

Cozy, festive, and full of flavor — these easy Thanksgiving cocktail recipes will make your holiday dinner unforgettable!

When you think of Thanksgiving, you probably picture roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie — but let’s be honest, no holiday gathering feels complete without a signature Thanksgiving cocktail in hand. 🍸

These 21 easy Thanksgiving cocktails are a great choice for any seasonal party, from parties with friends to big family dinners. From apple cider bourbon smash and pumpkin spice martinis to cranberry mules and maple old fashioneds, every drink here is bursting with warm fall flavors like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and spiced rum.

The best part? You don’t need to be a bartender to make them. These festive fall cocktail recipes are quick, beginner-friendly, and perfect for entertaining. And yes, I’ve got non-alcoholic mocktails too, because everyone deserves a sip of Thanksgiving cheer!

These holiday cocktail ideas aren’t just drinks — they’re conversation starters, table highlights, and a guaranteed way to make your guests say, “Wow, what’s in this?!” So grab your cocktail shaker, stock up on apple cider, cranberry juice, bourbon, and vodka, and let’s get mixing. Because this year, we’re giving thanks… one delicious drink at a time. 🧡


Related: Thanksgiving Snacks Recipes


21 Best Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes


Related: Classic Cuban Picadillo Recipe


🍁 How to Choose the Perfect Thanksgiving Cocktail

Choosing the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail isn’t just about mixing drinks—it’s about creating moments. Here’s how to pick a signature cocktail that’ll make your holiday dinner unforgettable!

🍗 Match It With Your Menu

Planning to serve roast turkey, mashed potatoes, or cranberry sauce? Pair it with a light, crisp drink like a Cranberry Gin Fizz or Apple Cider Spritz. For heavier, buttery dishes or Thanksgiving desserts, a Bourbon Maple Old Fashioned or Pumpkin Spice White Russian is perfection.

💡 Tip: Light cocktails keep the palate fresh during dinner, while rich, spiced drinks pair beautifully with dessert.

🍂 Choose Your Thanksgiving Vibe

Hosting a cozy family dinner? Go with something warm and comforting like a Spiced Rum Hot Toddy or Mulled Apple Cider Cocktail. For a fun Friendsgiving gathering, try a colorful Cranberry Margarita or Pomegranate Champagne Spritz for instant festive cheer.

💬 Tip: Match your drink energy with your crowd—warm & slow for traditional, sparkling & playful for modern celebrations.

🎃 Think Seasonal Flavors

Thanksgiving is all about autumn flavorsapple cider, cinnamon, pumpkin, cranberry, and maple. These ingredients not only taste like fall but smell like it too! Add garnishes like rosemary sprigs, sugared cranberries, or cinnamon sticks.

For more professional pairing tips, check out this expert guide on Liquor.com, one of the most trusted resources for cocktail enthusiasts and home bartenders. You’ll find inspiration for seasonal mixology, Thanksgiving drink trends, and holiday bar setups.


Suggested: Shrimp and Grits Recipes


🧠 Tips & Tricks for Hosting a Cocktail Bar at Home

Planning to host a Thanksgiving cocktail party at home? 🍸 Creating a cozy and stylish home bar setup can turn your living room into the hottest fall hangout spot!

Home Bar Setup

🍂 Create a Cozy DIY Cocktail Station

Set up a mini Thanksgiving cocktail bar with mixers, fresh herbs, and garnish trays. Use festive elements like mini pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries to match the fall theme. Guests love when they can mix and match their own drinks—it’s fun and interactive!

Thanksgiving Cocktail Garnishes

🍸 Use Signature Fall Garnishes

Level up your cocktails with easy but impressive garnishes — think rosemary sprigs, sugared cranberries, orange zest, and cinnamon sticks.

Thanksgiving Punch Bowl

🍷 Make a Big-Batch Thanksgiving Punch

Hosting a big family dinner? Save time with a big-batch cocktail or Thanksgiving punch recipe that everyone can pour from. It keeps things easy for you and festive for your guests — a win-win!

Cocktail Glassware Set

🥂 Invest in Quality Bar Tools & Glassware

Using the right cocktail shaker set, muddler, strainer, and glassware instantly elevates your hosting game. Consider investing in a bar tool kit or premium home bar setup to make mixing effortless and elegant. It’s also a smart investment for year-round entertaining.

Thanksgiving Cocktail Glass Decor

🎨 Add Fall-Themed Decor & Lighting

Set the mood with warm fairy lights, autumn leaves, and rustic table runners. Use earthy tones like amber, burnt orange, and gold to make your cocktail bar glow beautifully at night. Great ambiance = great memories!

Cocktail Ice Tip

🧊 Keep Drinks Cold with Frozen Fruit

Skip boring ice cubes — freeze cranberries, grapes, or orange slices instead! They look stunning and won’t water down your Thanksgiving cocktails. Small touches like these make a big impression on guests.


Suggested: Lobster Roll Recipe


🧡 Serving Suggestions — How to Serve Thanksgiving Cocktails Like a Boss

Practical, pretty, and easy-to-execute ideas to pair drinks with food, set up a crowd-friendly bar, and make sure your Thanksgiving cocktails look incredible (and spill-free). So, try these easy Thanksgiving Drinks.

Pairing Tips: What Goes With Turkey & Sides

  • Light & bright: Cranberry spritzers, gin fizzes, and apple–thyme cocktails cut through rich gravy — great with turkey and green beans.
  • Spiced & warming: Pumpkin Old Fashioned, mulled cranberry wine, or spiced rum hot toddies match roasted root vegetables and stuffing.
  • Sweet finishes: Maple espresso martini or caramel-apple margaritas pair beautifully with dessert—especially pecan pie.
  • Non-alcoholic pairings: Sparkling apple cider or a cranberry-ginger fizz works for drivers and kids without compromising flavor.

Presentation Tips — Make Drinks Pop on the Table

  1. Garnish boldly: sugared cranberries, cinnamon sticks, dehydrated orange wheels, or rosemary sprigs add color and aroma.
  2. Glassware matters: use coupe glasses for champagne cocktails, copper mugs for mules, and rocks glasses for bourbon drinks.
  3. Seasonal ice: use frozen apple slices or large ice spheres — they chill without watering down autumn flavors.
  4. Serve trays: group cocktails with matching napkins, small plates for garnishes, and a simple card with drink name + allergen note.

Batch vs Single-Serve — Which Should You Make?

Batch cocktails (aka punch) are a lifesaver when guests arrive back-to-back. Make them slightly stronger — people add ice and they water down. Single-serve cocktails are better for a curated bar experience.

Allergy & Dietary Notes

Talk about nuts, dairy, or honey in cocktail ingredients. Offer at least two non-alcoholic options and clearly label which drinks are alcohol-free – this helps avoid embarrassing questions from hosts and keeps your table inclusive.


Related: Lemon Pepper Zucchini Pasta With Dill Recipe


Frequently Asked Questions — Thanksgiving Cocktails
01
What are the best Thanksgiving cocktails to serve for a crowd?
For a crowd, opt for big-batch punches and spritzers — they’re easy to make ahead of time and look festive. Think cranberry prosecco punch, apple cider bourbon punch, or spicy mulled cranberry wine. They’re a good size, keep guests happy, and free you up to enjoy the holidays.
02
Which liquor pairs best with Thanksgiving dinner?
Bourbon and rye are a classic Thanksgiving pairing because their caramel, vanilla, and spice flavors complement turkey, stuffing, and roasted root vegetables. For a lighter pairing, try a gin or cider-based cocktail. If you’re splurging, a premium bourbon or small-batch rye will impress guests.
03
Can I make Thanksgiving cocktails ahead of time?
Yes. Many cocktails are make-ahead friendly: Pre-mix the spirits (like cinnamon maple bourbon), punch base, or make the simple syrup and garnishes the day before. Avoid adding carbonation until serving to keep the fizz lively.
Prep plan: Make syrups, infusions, and garnishes 1–2 days ahead. Combine spirits + mixers the morning of and add sparkling components just before serving.
04
What are easy Thanksgiving mocktails for guests who don’t drink?
Non-alcoholic options can be creative and seasonal: sparkling apple cider, cranberry ginger fizz, pumpkin spice latte mocktail, or a maple lemonade with rosemary. Serve in the same glassware as the cocktails to make non-alcoholic drinkers feel included.
05
How do I pair cocktails with Thanksgiving sides and dessert?
Pairing guide at a glance:
  • Turkey & savory sides: Bourbon Old Fashioned, Apple Cider Bourbon Smash.
  • Rich desserts (pecan, pumpkin): Espresso Martini, Maple Bourbon, or a warm Spiced Rum Hot Toddy.
  • Light starters: Cranberry Mimosa or Pear & Thyme Gin Fizz.
06
What’s the easiest Thanksgiving cocktail for beginner hosts?
A cranberry Moscow Mule or an apple cider champagne cocktail is perfect: few ingredients, minimal technique, and extraordinary presentation.
07
How much alcohol should I buy for a Thanksgiving cocktail bar?
A rough guideline for a mixed drink party: plan on 1.5-2 drinks per adult in the first two hours, then 1 drink per hour. For a small bar serving 3-4 types of cocktails, a 750ml bottle of base spirit (bourbon, vodka, gin) will typically serve ~15 cocktails.
08
Which garnishes make cocktails look and taste seasonal?
Seasonal garnishes that can enhance the flavor of any drink: candied cranberries, dehydrated orange slices, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, star anise, and toasted pecan halves. They add aroma, color, and a subtle hint of fall.
09
How do I label alcoholic vs non-alcoholic drinks for guests?
Use small chalkboard cards, printable tent cards, or simple tags on glass jars. Include allergen notes (e.g., contains dairy, nut liqueur) and a short flavor note (“spiced, sweet, tart”) to help guests choose quickly.

21 Thanksgiving Cocktails | Festive Fall Drinks to Impress Your Guests

Thanksgiving Cocktails

Ingredients

  • Pumpkin Spice White Russian
  • Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
  • Cranberry Moscow Mule
  • Maple Old Fashioned
  • Pear Gin Fizz Cocktail
  • Pumpkin Pie Martini
  • Cinnamon Apple Sangria
  • Champagne Spritzer
  • Spiced Rum Hot Toddy
  • Caramel Apple Margarita
  • Chai Whiskey Sour
  • Cranberry Mulled Wine
  • Maple Espresso Martini
  • Prickly Pear Mule
  • Grapefruit Rosemary Paloma
  • Cranberry Mimosa Recipe (Poinsettia Cocktail)
  • Pumpkin Spice Irish Coffee
  • Bourbon Pecan Pie Cocktail
  • Lyre's Spiced Apple Mojito
  • Cranberry Prosecco Punch
  • Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail

Instructions

  1. Pick any one of the cocktails from the list above.
  2. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Cocktail Party.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest


If you like this article about the Thanksgiving Cocktails, please share it with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest. Also, subscribe to my blog to get all the latest content first on your mobile.

Facebook Pinterest

Similar Posts