The Best Thanksgiving Drinks (Cocktails + Mocktails)
Mixing up a drink on Thankgsiving day is always a good idea, whether you’re hosting or attending. Here, you’ll find our most popular drinks, including festive cocktails AND Thanksgiving mocktails. These drink recipes bring seasonal taste to the table and are perfect for a variety of Thanksgiving guests, young and old.
I don’t know about you, but I adore mixing up a delicious drink before serving food at any Thanksgiving gathering.
Whether you’re hosting or attending, having one of these drink recipes with simple ingredients in your back pocket is a great way to spread the cheer of the season and a great option to serve before a big meal.
So whether you’re looking for a classic cocktail or a handful of non-alcoholic Thanksgiving drinks, we’ve got a variety here for you to choose from and that can work with your Thanksgiving menu.
Don’t miss these delicious Thanksgiving recipes to make this year! And if you’re hosting a crowd, check out these Thanksgiving appetizers, Thanksgiving side dishes and Thanksgiving desserts.
How many drinks should I serve?
This depends on when festivities begin, of course, and the people you’re with and their habits.
When I’m serving people before a large meal or a holiday gathering, I like to have enough ingredients for everyone to ideally enjoy TWO beverages.
I also tend to choose a singular drink to be our signature drink, to where I don’t have to worry about multiple ingredients and drinks to mix.
Another option is to serve a big batch cocktail, like a pitcher drink, and offer the option of a handmixed one, that your guests can mix themselves.
Occasions for Thanksgiving drinks
Beyond the main event, there are so many times you can serve up these drinks for Thanksgiving, not just on Turkey Day.
- Friendsgiving celebrations before Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving office parties and holiday parties (I’d lean on the nonalcoholic Thanksgiving drinks for this)
- The night before Thanksgiving (great if you are having company and want to mix up a libation!)
- While preparing the Thanksgiving meal
- To sip while shopping online sales on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday
- Throughout the holiday season
Many of these easy Thanksgiving cocktails also double as Christmas and New Year’s drinks, so Thanksgiving can work as a test run for other events you might have coming up.
Mixers
Obviously, this depends on what recipe you’re mixing to share with your people, but here are some popular ingredients you might come across in the following recipes:
- Fruit juice, like apple cider, cranberry juice, pineapple juice or pomegranate juice
- Citrus juice, like lemon juice, orange juice and lime juice
- Ginger beverages, like ginger ale or ginger beer
- Sparkling drinks, like sparkling water, lemon-lime soda, club soda, etc.
- Alcohol (or zero proof spirits)
Garnishes for holiday drinks
In addition to what you’re mixing into your elegant drinks for Thanksgiving and beyond, you’re going to need some festive garnishes, too.
Keep in mind that you should tie your garnish with what is actually IN the drink you’re serving. Here are a few ideas.
- Fresh citrus, like orange slices (blood orange or navel oranges), lime wedges or lemon slices
- Fresh apples to make apple slices
- Cinnamon sticks or even ground cinnamon to rim a glass
- Whole cloves
- Star anise
- Fresh cranberries (either by themselves or transformed into sugared cranberries)
- Ice cubes, filled with fresh fruit or flowers
How to bring drinks on the road
If you’re bringing these Thanksgiving sippers on the go, just make sure they’re safely packaged. After all, nobody wants drinks to spill in transport! And nobody wants an open bottle of booze or liquid rolling around the backseat of their car!
Here is how I would prepare and then transport ingredients with me to wherever I’m going:
- Make any syrups or garnishes beforehand. This includes simple syrup, sugared cranberries, etc.
- If possible, make the pitcher drink(s) at home and transport in large sealed jars. This way, you won’t have to bring several bottles and a pitcher with you to your destination.
- Package everything in a cooler. This way, it’ll stay chilled and also in one sealed place, to where if there are spills, they will not happen on the floor or seat of your car.
- Don’t forget the tools! Don’t assume that your host will have the various tools you need (like a cocktail shaker, strainer, etc.) Bring those along with you in a separate bag or in the cooler with the ingredients.
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
It’s fun to have delicious Thanksgiving drinks to mix on the day to celebrate the delicious flavors of fall. These are a great addition to a round of appetizers, as well as add some fun flavors to Thanksgiving festivities.
And these drinks aren’t just for people who drink alcohol. There are ways to make a non-alcoholic version of some of these, too!
- Drinks should’t clash with the recipes you’re serving at dinner, even if they come beforehand. Try to aim for a variety of flavors to complement what you will be serving.
- Don’t forget to plan out how to serve each drink. This includes thinking through what glasses you’ll use, as well as what you need to mix and garnish them.
- Plan to mix more than you expect. Sometimes, if a drink is excellent, people will want more. Which is fantastic! But you’ve got to have extra ingredients to mix more if your guests love it. I always make a double batch of simple syrup and make sure to have other ingredients on hand, should we want to mix more.
Here are some of our favorite drinks to serve this time of year…
The Best Thanksgiving Drinks (Cocktails + Mocktails)
Mixing up a drink on Thankgsiving day is always a good idea, whether you're hosting or attending. Here, you'll find our most popular drinks, including festive cocktails AND Thanksgiving mocktails. These drink recipes bring seasonal taste to the table and are perfect for a variety of Thanksgiving guests, young and old.
Thanksgiving Cocktails
If you're looking for an alcoholic drink to serve this Thanksgiving, we have lots of ideas for you in this section! From bourbon drinks to vodka ones, rum and more, there's a little something for everyone.
Citrus Cranberry Sangria
Slightly tart and sweet with a hint of cinnamon, this Citrus Cranberry Sangria is perfect for the holidays! Whether you’re making a batch for Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday parties or anything in between, this winter sangria is wonderful for sharing.
Gin Apple Pie Cocktail
Enjoy fall flavors by mixing up Gin Apple Pie Cocktails for a crowd! Start with homemade cinnamon-infused simple syrup. Flavorful with interesting floral notes, this 3-ingredient autumnal cocktail is bound to become a favorite, whether it's served at a party, a tailgate or on a random weeknight.
Classic Cranberry Moscow Mule (Yule Mule)
This Cranberry Moscow Mule is a lovely Christmas sipper. Also known as a Yule Mule, this twist on the classic cocktail highlights cranberry juice! Makes 1 drink, but can easily be made into a pitcher.
Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned
A seasonal twist on the classic whiskey cocktail, the Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned is a perfect cocktail for a chilly winter night. Toasted pecans soak in whiskey for days before the infused alcohol is poured atop a sugar and bitter mixture to make an Old Fashioned.
Pomegranate Margarita
If you’re looking for a festive margarita that tastes amazing, this Homemade Pomegranate Margarita is it! Perfectly sweet and tart with a little bitterness, this 5-ingredient margarita is festive and delicious.
Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mule
Singing with warming spices, the Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mule is a spicy, crisp drink. This twist on a classic cocktail gets fall flavors from homemade pumpkin spice syrup.
Pumpkin Whiskey Smash
Celebrate fall flavors with a Pumpkin Whiskey Smash! This 3-ingredient pumpkin cocktail highlights your favorite whiskey, a homemade pumpkin spice syrup and lemon juice! Come learn how to mix up this smash cocktail recipe that makes a small pitcher!
Winter White Sangria
Winter citrus season is upon us... and what better way to enjoy the fruits of the season than by mixing up a pitcher of Winter Sangria? Full of pink grapefruit, cara cara or blood oranges, pears and pomegranates, this sangria is well-balanced and bursting with flavor.
Apple Pie Moscow Mule
Celebrate fall weather and flavors by mixing up an Apple Pie Moscow Mule! Sweet, but not too sweet, this autumnal twist on a classic Moscow Mule tastes like a slice of apple pie. Whether you're serving yourself or a crowd, these Apple Pie Moscow Mules are flavor-filled, balanced, unique cocktail to serve at any gathering!
Busted Pipe (Bourbon Amaro Cocktail)
Love amaro and bourbon? This Amaro Cocktail, which we lovingly call the Busted Pipe, is similar to an Old Fashioned and a Paper Plane. It’s a warming, sweet and bitter drink that’s perfect for sipping.
Sparkling Bourbon Pumpkin Apple Cider Punch
Sparkling Bourbon Pumpkin Apple Punch is the PERFECT autumnal punch! Highlighting Pumpkin Spiced Apple Cider, ginger ale, maple syrup and bourbon, this seasonal pitcher drink is perfect for sharing.
The Blizzard (Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail)
Looking for a unique bourbon drink to enjoy during Thanksgiving, Christmas and other winter holidays? 100% pure cranberry juice mixes with bourbon, freshly squeezed lemon juice and homemade simple syrup to create this winter-flavored cocktail, called the Blizzard. Serve with frozen cranberries or ice, and enjoy this slightly sweet bourbon drink during the chilly months.
Winter Sparkling Champagne Sangria
Winter sangria, chock full of orange and cranberry goodness, is combined with a favorite bottle of bubbly to create this cocktail. Spicy and not too sweet, Winter Sparkling Champagne Sangria is a perfect cold weather mixed drink!
Cranberry Mule
The Cranberry Mule is a fun take on the more traditional Moscow Mule. Perfect as a Thanksgiving cocktail, this drink calls for cranberry, ginger beer and spiced rum, then is topped with sugared cranberries as garnish.
Apple Cider Margaritas
Celebrate fall flavors by mixing up a batch of Apple Cider Margaritas! These cocktails are the perfect drink to serve on a chilly fall or winter evening AND can be made in a pitcher for a crowd!
Nonalcoholic Thanksgiving Drinks
If you're looking for an everyone-friendly drink to serve at Thanksgiving, we've got several favorites here that are great for kids AND adults!
Sparkling Ginger Cranberry Mocktail
Serve up a Sparkling Ginger Cranberry Mocktail this New Year's Eve! This sparkling mocktail, which features tart unsweetened cranberry juice and spicy ginger beer, is a flavorful mixed drink to serve to individuals or a crowd. With options to make this drink as tasty as possible, it's perfect for both adults and children!
Spiced Apple Cider
Spiced Apple Cider is the perfect warm drink for a chilly fall evening! All you need are a handful of ingredients and spices, as well as about 30 minutes to make this easy apple cider recipe.
Blood Orange Mocktail Mule
Light and bubbly, Blood Orange Mocktail Mules make a delightful sipper to serve during the winter months. Made with a few simple ingredients, this nonalcoholic drink is perfect for sharing.
Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail
Fresh cranberries, maple syrup, white grape juice and club soda make this delightful Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail into a holiday treat! Perfect for kids, expectant mamas and folks who don't drink to still feel celebrated.
Pomegranate Ginger Orange Sparkling Mocktail
This four-ingredient Pomegranate Ginger Orange Sparkling Mocktail recipe are easily made for an individual or a crowd. Perfect for the holidays, these mocktails are a fun, delicious sipper for all!
Apple Cider Punch with Elderberry
Individual Apple Cider Punch with Elderberry is a delicious wellness beverage to sip all fall long. Made with four simple ingredients, including sambucus syrup, this apple-elderberry drink is easy to mix and enjoy.
After Dinner Drinks
Looking for a cocktail or a mocktail to serve after the feast? Here are a few of our favorites...
Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa
Looking for the perfect snow day activity? Make Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa! Learn how to make hot cocoa that heats up quickly and tastes perfectly sweet. Great for sharing, this 4-ingredient hot cocoa recipe is simple to make and easy to enjoy!
Baileys Coffee
Creamy and decadent, Baileys Coffee is a simple after dinner coffee cocktail to make at home. Calling for three ingredients, this coffee drink is a restaurant-quality treat!
Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate
Looking for a delicious warm drink to serve this winter? The Peppermint Patty Cocktail is it! Calling for just three ingredients, this hot chocolate cocktail is minty, sweet and perfect for all occasions.
Irish Coffee
A classic cocktail, Irish Coffee is easy and delicious to serve at home. Made with just four ingredients—coffee, Irish whiskey sugar and sweetened whipped cream—this coffee cocktail is perfect for any occasion.
What are some tools I might need to make these drinks?
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Obviously, this depends on what recipe you’re making, but here are a few things we keep in our kitchen to mix fun mocktails and cocktails throughout the holiday season:
- Cocktail shaker — because no gathering is a gathering without a homemade cocktail or mocktail. And having a shaker on hand is an excellent (and easy!) way to mix these up. If you’re hosting a large gathering, consider purchasing a mixing glass, which will allow you to mix a batch of drinks more easily than a traditional shaker.
- Bottle opener (or wine opener) — while some swear by the electric openers, I’ve had one break on us, so I go old school. Also, this is dependent on your crowd and what y’all enjoy drinking, but either way, these are smart tools to have in your kitchen.
- Pitcher — for water or for a fun pitcher drink. I personally like a glass pitcher, but if you think an acrylic one would work better for your life, get one of those instead!
- Bamboo skewers or toothpicks
- Cocktail napkins
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
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