23 Festive Thanksgiving Cocktails to Celebrate the Season
Bring some holiday cheer with these Thanksgiving cocktails. They’re simple, seasonal, and absolutely delicious for your fall celebration.
There’s no better way to kick off your Thanksgiving celebration than with a festive cocktail in hand. Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or keeping things cozy with a few close friends, the right drink can set the tone for a memorable evening. From spiced apple cider margaritas to cranberry-infused spritzes, these Thanksgiving cocktails capture the warmth, color, and comfort of the season. No bar expertise required.
Fall flavors shine in every glass, featuring autumn staples like apple, pumpkin, pear, maple, and bourbon. These cocktails aren’t just delicious. they’re designed to complement your Thanksgiving menu, pairing beautifully with savory turkey, sweet cranberry sauce, and spiced desserts. You’ll find a mix of easy batch cocktails, elegant signature drinks, and creative twists on classic recipes that are perfect for any type of celebration.
So shake up your bar cart, grab your favorite seasonal ingredients, and get ready to toast to gratitude. Whether you prefer something sparkling and light or cozy and comforting, these Thanksgiving cocktail recipes will make your holiday table (and your guests) extra cheerful this year.
Best Thanksgiving Cocktails
1 — Thanksgiving Punch
This cozy Thanksgiving punch blends apple cider, orange juice, spiced rum, and pumpkin puree for a festive fall drink that tastes like the season in a glass. Spiced with cinnamon and cloves, it’s refreshing yet comforting. For a family-friendly mocktail, simply skip the rum and replace it with extra orange juice and ginger ale.
2 — Pumpkin Spice White Russian
This pumpkin spice white russian is a fall-inspired twist on the classic cocktail. It combines smooth vodka, rich coffee liqueur, and creamy pumpkin spice syrup for a drink that’s equal parts indulgent and festive. Finish it off with whipped cream, a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and a cinnamon stick. It pairs perfectly with another classic twist, gingersnap pumpkin pie.
3 — Spiced Mulled Wine
Fill your home with the festive scent of the holidays with this spiced mulled wine. It’s a warm, aromatic blend of red wine, orange juice, and brandy simmered with cinnamon, cloves, and fresh ginger. Sweet brown sugar and citrus zest add just the right balance of sweetness and spice. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any cold-weather gathering, this comforting drink is best served warm and garnished with cinnamon sticks and orange peel.
4 — Sparkling Pumpkin Cider
Celebrate fall with this crisp and bubbly sparkling pumpkin cider, a light, refreshing cocktail that captures the essence of the season. Spiced rum adds warmth, while pumpkin pie spice and ground cloves bring cozy autumn flavor to every sip. Pair with some pumpkin cream puffs.
5 — Cranberry Sidecar
Bright, tart, and perfectly balanced, this cranberry sidecar is a festive twist on the classic cocktail. Made with brandy, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and homemade cranberry simple syrup, it’s the ideal blend of sweet and citrusy flavors. Rimmed with lemon sugar for an elegant touch, this cocktail adds a pop of holiday color.
6 — Spiced Apple Brandy Fizz
Light, frothy, and full of fall flavor, this spiced apple brandy fizz is an elegant cocktail that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. Apple brandy and fresh apple juice create a crisp base, while lemon and allspice syrup add warmth and balance. Finished with a silky egg white foam and topped with bubbly club soda, it’s a festive, aromatic drink that feels as special as the season.
7 — Poison Apple
A striking blend of apple brandy, cranberry juice, and grenadine, this poison apple cocktail is perfectly balanced between sweet and tart. Pair with some cheesecake stuffed apples or the classic apple cobbler.
8 — Spiced Apple Cider Margarita
Celebrate the season with this spiced apple cider margarita, a festive fusion of classic margarita flavors and cozy fall charm. The blend of tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and apple cider creates a refreshing yet warmly spiced cocktail. Finished with a cinnamon-sugar rim and crisp apple slices.
9 — Drunk Turkey
Indulge in dessert form with this drunk turkey cocktail, a rich and creamy Thanksgiving treat that tastes just like a peanut butter cup. Made with peanut butter cup–infused vodka, chocolate liqueur, and milk, it’s sweet, smooth, and irresistibly decadent. Perfect as an after-dinner drink, this boozy dessert cocktail is sure to be the talk of your holiday table.
10 — Hot Toddy
Warm, soothing, and perfectly spiced, this hot toddy is the ultimate cozy cocktail for chilly fall nights. Made with whiskey, rooibos tea, honey, and fresh lemon, it’s a comforting drink that soothes the senses and pairs beautifully with Thanksgiving desserts.
11 — Cranberry Champagne Punch
Bubbly, bright, and festive, this cranberry champagne punch is the perfect drink for celebrating Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering. Made with champagne, ginger soda, and cranberry juice, it’s light, refreshing, and full of crisp seasonal flavor. Garnished with lime, rosemary, mint, and frozen cranberries, it’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
12 — Spiced Pear Spritz
Elegant and effervescent, this spiced pear spritz is a refreshing cocktail that beautifully captures the flavors of fall. Blending pink gin, pear juice, vanilla syrup, and prosecco, it’s lightly sweet with a touch of spice and herbal warmth. Finished with pear slices and fresh thyme. Serve with other pear focused Thanksgiving appetizers like our honey pear and ricotta crostinis.
13 — Sweet Potato Cocktail
Rich, cozy, and delightfully unexpected, this sweet potato cocktail turns a classic holiday side into a sip-worthy treat. Made with bourbon, lemon juice, and sweet potato syrup, it’s balanced with notes of spice from allspice dram or spiced rum. Garnished with torched marshmallows and candied sweet potato, this dessert-inspired drink is perfect for Thanksgiving indulgence. Got leftover yams? Make our sweet potato nachos!
14 — Maple Whiskey Sour
Smooth, tangy, and perfectly balanced, this maple whiskey sour is one of our sour cocktail variations. Fresh lemon juice and pure maple syrup create a warm, citrusy sweetness that pairs beautifully with rich whiskey. Finished with a frothy egg white and a dash of bitters.
15 — Brown Sugar Old Fashioned
Bring a touch of sweetness to your holiday sipping with this brown sugar bourbon old fashioned. Light brown sugar and orange bitters melt into rich bourbon for a perfectly balanced mix of warmth and spice. If you’re a caffeine lover, try our coffee old fashioned.
16 — Bushwacker Pumpkin Pie
Decadent and dessert-worthy, this bushwacker pumpkin pie is take on the classic Bushwacker. Blending Bushwacker Rum Cream, vanilla vodka, pumpkin puree, and maple syrup, it’s rich, creamy, and full of cozy autumn flavor. Served in a caramel-and-graham cracker–rimmed glass and topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice, it’s Thanksgiving dessert in cocktail form.
17 — Cranberry Bourbon Sour
Celebrate the flavors of the season with this cranberry bourbon sour. Fresh cranberries, maple syrup, and orange zest create a rich homemade syrup that pairs beautifully with bold bourbon and bright lemon juice. Finished with orange bitters, citrus slices, and candied rosemary (one of our favorite garnishes for fall cocktails).
18 — Spiced Apple Cider Pomegranate Moscow Mule
This spiced apple cider pomegranate moscow mule is fruity, fizzy, and full of fall flavor compared to the traditional moscow mule, Made with vodka, apple cider, sparkling pomegranate juice, and ginger beer, it’s bright, refreshing, and lightly spiced with a hint of cinnamon.
19 — Persimmon Pumpkin Punch
Vibrant and spiced, try our unique persimmon pumpkin punch. It blends rum, orange and apple juice, and a homemade persimmon syrup with pumpkin purée and warm spices for a rich, aromatic drink. Garnished with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a cinnamon stick, it’s a beautifully balanced punch that captures the essence of autumn in every sip.
20 — Thanksgiving Mimosa
This Thanksgiving mimosa infuses cinnamon, figs, sage, and cloves for a spiced orange juice that pairs beautifully with bubbly Champagne. For a festive touch, set up a mimosa bar with different juices, fruits, and garnishes so guests can create their own holiday sips.
21 — Crimson Passions Punch
Bright, aromatic, and perfectly balanced, this crimson passions punch is a stunning cocktail made to impress a crowd. Combining gin, Lillet Blanc, passion fruit juice, and lemon for a refreshing citrusy base, it’s finished with sparkling wine for a festive fizz. Accented with rosemary, pink peppercorns, and sea salt, this elegant punch delivers a sophisticated mix of sweet, tart, and herbal notes. You can even decorate your punch bowl with a floral punch bowl wreath.
22 — Apple Pie Jello Shots
Get the party started with some apple pie jello shots. Made with apple cider, apple whiskey, and a splash of cinnamon whiskey, they capture all the warm, spiced flavors of homemade apple pie in a playful party-ready form. Topped with whipped cream, pie crust cutouts, and a sprinkle of cinnamon, they’re the perfect bite-sized treat for Thanksgiving celebrations. Because who doesn’t love party shots?
24 — Chai Espresso Martini
If you love espresso martinis, then you’ll love this chai espresso martini recipe. Vodka, coffee liqueur, and a homemade chai concentrate come together for a smooth, aromatic cocktail with notes of cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla. Pair it with a decadent chai crepe cake.
Easy Punch Recipes
For more easy cocktails to serve for a crowd, check out some of our favorite punch recipes below —
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