9 Best Cocktails For Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting. But what’s a celebration without a few delicious drinks to complement the meal? This year, ditch the standard wine and beer and elevate your Thanksgiving gathering with some creative and festive cocktails. Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or a cocktail novice, we’ve got you covered with a selection of the best Thanksgiving cocktails that are sure to impress your guests.

Warm Up With These Easy Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes

As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, these warm cocktails will bring a cozy and comforting touch to your Thanksgiving celebration.

Hot Apple Cider with a Kick

This classic fall beverage gets a festive upgrade with the addition of your favorite spiced rum or bourbon. 

Ingredients:

• 6 cups apple cider
• 1 cup spiced rum or bourbon
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced

Directions:

1. In a large pot, combine all ingredients.
2. Heat over medium heat until warm, but not boiling.
3. Serve warm in mugs with a cinnamon stick and orange slice for garnish.

Pumpkin Spice White Russian

This creamy and indulgent cocktail is like pumpkin pie in a glass.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz pumpkin spice creamer
• Whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a rocks glass with ice.
2. Add vodka, coffee liqueur, and pumpkin spice creamer.
3. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Cranberry-Orange Mulled Wine

This fragrant and festive drink is perfect for a chilly Thanksgiving evening.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced
• Whole cloves

Directions:

1. In a large pot, combine all ingredients.
2. Heat over medium heat until warm, but not boiling.
3. Serve warm in mugs with an orange slice and cinnamon stick for garnish.

Refreshing & Festive Thanksgiving Cocktails

For those who prefer a lighter and more refreshing drink, these festive cocktails are the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving feast.

Cranberry Thyme Gin & Tonic

This elegant cocktail combines the tartness of cranberries with the herbaceous notes of thyme.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 4 oz tonic water
• 1/2 oz cranberry juice
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• Lime wedge for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add gin, tonic water, and cranberry juice.
3. Garnish with thyme sprigs and a lime wedge.

Apple Cider Sangria

This fruity and refreshing sangria is a perfect party drink for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle white wine
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur
• 1 apple, chopped
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 pear, chopped
• Club soda

Directions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine wine, apple cider, brandy, orange liqueur, and chopped fruit.
2. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. Before serving, top with club soda.

Pomegranate Aperol Spritz

This vibrant and bubbly cocktail is a festive twist on the classic Aperol Spritz.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2 oz Aperol
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• Orange slice for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a wine glass with ice.
2. Add Prosecco, Aperol, and pomegranate juice.
3. Garnish with an orange slice.

Classic Cocktails With A Thanksgiving Twist

These classic cocktails get a Thanksgiving makeover with seasonal flavors and ingredients.

Thanksgiving Cosmopolitan

This tart and festive cocktail is a Thanksgiving twist on the classic Cosmopolitan.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/4 oz orange liqueur
• Orange twist for garnish

Directions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add all ingredients.
3. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
4. Garnish with an orange twist.

Pumpkin Pie Martini

Call this decadent and creamy cocktail “dessert in a glass”!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vanilla vodka
• 1 oz pumpkin liqueur
• 1/2 oz heavy cream
• Graham cracker crumbs and cinnamon for garnish

Directions:

1. Rim a martini glass with graham cracker crumbs.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Add vodka, pumpkin liqueur, and heavy cream.
4. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
5. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Spiced Pear Margarita

This festive margarita combines the sweetness of pears with the warmth of cinnamon and ginger.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz pear juice
• 1/2 oz agave nectar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• Lime wedge and cinnamon stick for garnish

Directions:

1.  Rim a margarita glass with lime juice and cinnamon sugar.
2.  Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
3.  Add all ingredients.
4.  Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
5.  Garnish with a lime wedge and cinnamon stick.

Don’t Forget The Ice!

No Thanksgiving cocktail is complete without the perfect ice. Emergency Ice delivers cocktail ice and packaged ice to homes, restaurants, bars, and other establishments within the DFW area. Whether you need ice for your cocktails, to chill your beverage and food, or to keep your Thanksgiving feast fresh, Emergency Ice has you covered.

Make Your Holidays Bright with Emergency Ice

This Thanksgiving, impress your guests with a selection of delicious and festive cocktails. From warm and cozy drinks to refreshing and fruity concoctions, there’s a cocktail for everyone to enjoy. And don’t forget the ice! Emergency Ice delivers bagged ice and packaged ice to homes and businesses in the DFW area, ensuring your Thanksgiving cocktails are perfectly chilled.

Contact Emergency Ice today to schedule your ice delivery for Thanksgiving. We offer a variety of ice options to meet your needs, and our reliable ice delivery service ensures you’ll have all the ice you need for your Thanksgiving celebration.

FAQs About Thanksgiving Cocktails

Q: What are some easy Thanksgiving cocktails to make for a crowd?

Some easy Thanksgiving cocktails for a crowd include Apple Cider Sangria, Cranberry-Orange Mulled Wine, and Pomegranate Aperol Spritz. These cocktails can be made in large batches and require minimal preparation.

Q: What are some Thanksgiving cocktail ideas that are non-alcoholic?

You can easily adapt most cocktails to be non-alcoholic. Simply omit the alcohol and replace it with additional juice, soda, or sparkling water. For example, you can make a non-alcoholic version of our Hot Apple Cider with a Kick by omitting the rum or bourbon and adding extra apple cider or orange juice.