Thanksgiving conjures up visions of turkey, stuffing and more fall desserts than you usually see all year. Between eating pumpkin pie and turkey legs, you might as well enjoy a fall-flavored cocktail. Whatever your favorite, you're sure to discover the perfect concoction among our 30 tasty Thanksgiving cocktail recipes.
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Our spirited list includes cocktails that make the best of warming fall flavors, such as apple, pumpkin spice and cranberry. Among the new products this Thanksgiving is Proper No. Twelve Irish Apple. It's triple-distilled like the original but with the unmistakable flavor of candied green apple. Whiskey pairs particularly well with the flavors of the season and is always a treat during the chilly fall months.
One indulgent cocktail recipe using Proper No. Twelve Irish Apple is the Proper Apple Pie Martini. We've outlined it below as a truly delicious option to sip on during your Thanksgiving activities.
Proper Apple Pie Martini Directions:
Ingredients:
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2 oz Proper Irish Apple
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2 oz Irish Cream Liqueur
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2 Dashes of cinnamon
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Graham cracker rim on glass
In a Boston shaker filled with ice, add 2 ounces Proper Irish Apple, 2 ounces Irish Cream Liqueur, and a dash of cinnamon. Shake and strain into a martini glass rimmed with crushed graham crackers. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon.
The martini is like sipping the most delicious apple pie in beverage form. The whiskey kick makes it extra special when you need to unwind after lots of Thanksgiving planning.
Try this and 30 other fun Thanksgiving cocktail recipes we've outlined below to make your holiday extra grand for everyone.
Apple Hot Toddy
The Food Network
Nothing warms during the Thanksgiving season like an Apple Hot Toddy. Apple cider, cinnamon and orange flavors contain comfort in every sip. Just add brandy to make this fall beverage a little bit more interesting. An Apple Hot Toddy becomes a lovely way to finish a Thanksgiving Day spent with those you love.
Here's the recipe from Food Network.
Pumpkin Espresso Martini
Erin Lives Whole
If you didn't think an espresso martini could get any better, you haven't tried a Pumpkin Espresso Martini. This popular variation adds extra creaminess and pumpkin spice flavor to pair with your best Thanksgiving desserts. It's like sipping a pumpkin pie with a kick and may become your favorite dessert martini going forward.
Check out the recipe here from Erin Lives Whole.
Autumn Rickey
Creative Culinary
While a traditional Lime Rickey may not scream Thanksgiving, this autumnal version does. It uses bourbon instead of gin and becomes a little sweeter with the addition of maple syrup. The lime keeps this cocktail refreshing after a hearty meal of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.
Get the recipe from Creative Culinary.
Autumn Leaves
The Spruce Eats
An Autumn Leaves cocktail not only has a beautiful name but also a unique flavor profile, too. Amateur mixologists will love the combination of pisco — a brandy made with Peruvian grapes — Drambuie scotch liqueur, Campari and citrus. Where do the autumn leaves come in? The red Campari, orange slices and golden scotch look like leaves falling from a November sky.
Find the recipe here from The Spruce Eats.
Mulled Wine
Gimme Some Oven
There's no reason to save mulled wine for Christmas when you can enjoy it on Thanksgiving. It's a "set it and forget it" cocktail that simmers over the stove while you prepare Thanksgiving dinner. There's nothing quite like the scent of oranges, cinnamon, mulling spices and brandy (oh, and the wine) to celebrate the season.
Here's the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
Spiced Pear and Elderflower Collins
Steve the Bartender
Do you need something beyond pumpkin spice and apple in your Thanksgiving cocktails? Grab a Spiced Pear and Elderflower Collins for a punch of sophisticated flavor. Elderflower is fruity and floral on its own, and it goes perfectly with the pear, cognac and spiced honey additions. It's a delicious way to say "cheers" after a big Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the recipe from Steve The Bartender.
Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour
Cookie + Kate
Don't just save cinnamon and maple for breakfast pastries or Thanksgiving pies. This cocktail pairs sour with sweet by using lemon and maple syrup. With the caramel, oaky bourbon and a hint of cinnamon, it's both simple and straight to the point. After all, you don't want to spend too much time on your post-Thanksgiving cocktail recipes.
Check out the recipe from Cookie + Kate.
Autumn Orchard
Bon Appetit
One of the best-kept secrets of fall has to be Calvados apple brandy. It's not overly sweet and is one of the smoothest brandies around. An Autumn Orchard partners Calvados with cognac and both pear and orange liqueurs. Bitters are the component in this orchard of fall tastiness.
Here's the recipe from Bon Appetit.
Maple Old-Fashioned
A Couple Cooks
Sometimes, all you need is one extra ingredient to turn an otherwise classic cocktail into a fall favorite. An Old-Fashioned already has a lot going for it: whiskey, bitters and orange peel. One teaspoon of maple syrup is all you need to bring some autumn sweetness to this otherwise potent cocktail.
Find the recipe here from A Couple Cooks.
Winter Aperol Spritz
How Sweet Eats
When it comes to autumn flavors, don't forget how well tart cranberries work in cocktails! The super trendy Aperol Spritz can transition to colder weather with just a few tweaks. Prosecco, Aperol, and orange are joined by cranberry juice and a sprig of rosemary. The bright-red color is almost as inviting as the taste.
Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.
Jack Rose
Serious Eats
Applejack is one of the most used apple whiskey/brandies around. The Jack Rose is the most well-known of Applejack cocktails. It's vintage, yet works just as well for people needing a cute cocktail in their lives today. The simplicity of Applejack, grenadine, lemon and bitters packs a punch, so make sure your Thanksgiving chores are done.
Check out the recipe from Serious Eats.
Brown Sugar Sazerac
The Feed Feed
Brown sugar makes Thanksgiving dishes better, from sweet potatoes to pie. An already-potent Sazerac gets a little more depth and sweetness with the simple addition of brown sugar. Any drink using rye, bitters and absinthe is meant for the person who made Thanksgiving taste wonderful for everyone.
Get the recipe here from The Feedfeed.
Concord Grape Royal
Food Network
For something different, try a Concord Grape Royal. It's a take on the Kir Royale, made with champagne and blackcurrant Crème de Cassis. This recipe is for those of us who love making their ingredients — in this case, Concord grape syrup. It's the perfect cocktail for a post-Thanksgiving brunch made with leftovers, of course.
Here's the recipe from Food Network.
Thanksgiving Cider Punch
Half Baked Harvest
When you need a punch bowl worth of Thanksgiving booze for guests, this Thanksgiving Cider Punch will work wonders. It's like a lighter, spicier mulled wine made with apple cider, champagne and ginger beer. The recipe calls for a Thanksgiving-appropriate cinnamon sugar rim to make everyone smile.
Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
Thanksgiving Margarita
The Soccer Mom Blog
In case you wondered, margaritas are not just for summer. It's super easy to adjust margaritas for fall with just a few ingredients. This version does so by adding apple cider and pear juice to the mix. Toss in a cinnamon stick, and your Thanksgiving fiesta is ready to get going.
Spiked Pumpkin Spice Latte
Crazy for Crust
Some of our favorite fall coffee drinks only get better when you turn them into cocktails. This Spiked Pumpkin Spiced Latte is no exception. It's still creamy and full of pumpkin flavor, while not requiring almost any make-ahead preparation. Vanilla vodka and cinnamon whiskey are combined with pumpkin pie spice creamer and strong coffee to put a pep in your step.
Here's the recipe from Crazy for Crust.
Cranberry Ginger Mojito
Simply Delicious
This Cranberry Ginger Mojito is like many other Thanksgiving cocktail recipes based on warm-weather drinks. The usual flavors of rum, lime and mint are still present but improved with the tart cranberry and spiced ginger. The result makes a terrific treat after your big Thanksgiving dinner.
Check out the recipe from Simply Delicious.
Pumpkin Nog
Very Best Baking
Don't wait until Christmas to enjoy eggnog, especially when it features pumpkin as this recipe does. Canned pumpkin puree and evaporated milk make the preparation fast. Extra vanilla ice cream that didn't make it to the top of your apple pie adds tons of creaminess. You may just make Thanksgiving pumpkin eggnog a new tradition every year.
Here's the recipe from Very Best Baking.
Proper No. Twelve Apple Smash
Proper No. Twelve Irish Apple
Another recipe that uses Proper No. Twelve Apple is an unexpected smash-style cocktail. It offsets the sweetness of the apple with lemon, pineapple and mint. The balance of flavors may be all you need after trying every variety of Thanksgiving pie for dessert.
Find the recipe here from The Hype Magazine.
Bourbon Negroni
Country Living
This Thanksgiving cocktail is best enjoyed before Thanksgiving dinner begins. Negronis are traditionally an aperitif to get your tummy extra excited for the meal ahead. Instead of gin, this version uses bourbon that's more suited to enjoying in autumn. It's also called a Boulevardier, but all you need to call it is delicious.
Caramel Apple Cocktail
The Salty Marshmallow
You didn't think we'd forget about incorporating caramel and apple into a cocktail for Thanksgiving, did you? Use Salted Caramel Baileys Liqueur for instant flavor or plain caramel as an alternative, along with apple vodka. Impress everyone by dipping the glass into caramel and cinnamon sugar for an added touch.
Here's the recipe from The Salty Marshmallow.
Amaretto Hot Chocolate
Sainsbury's Magazine
Hot chocolate is one of fall's most inviting treats, which is just as good (or better) when made with amaretto. Amaretto's almond notes warm you up when combined with dark chocolate and additional almond flavor. This hot chocolate is different enough to surprise your taste buds but close enough to the original to satisfy plenty.
Chai Tea With Bourbon
The Cookie Rookie
One flavor that we all enjoy during the autumn season has to be chai tea. It's already loaded with spiced flavors of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and clove. A healthy dose of bourbon helps the spice profile sing loud and clear all the way to your first sip.
Find the recipe here from The Cookie Rookie.
Autumn Shandy
Rachael Ray
When you don't know how to use leftover apple cider and beer after Thanksgiving dinner, try this Autumn Shandy. It's made with any kind of wheat beer and uses apple brandy, apple cider and an orange wedge. Simple and to the point — an Autumn Shandy says, "It's time to relax" with one sip.
Find the recipe from Rachael Ray.
Hot Buttered Whiskey
Wine Enthusiast
A Hot Buttered Whiskey functions like a hot-buttered rum, but with a slightly different taste. Whiskey is mixed into a batter made with butter, brown sugar and traditional Thanksgiving spices. Toss a cinnamon stick and star anise into this warm beverage for the best Thanksgiving afterparty ever.
Here's the recipe from Wine Enthusiast.
Baileys Chocolate Orange Martini
Baileys
While Christmas is known for chocolate oranges, Thanksgiving is just as good a holiday to enjoy this fantastic combination. This martini uses Baileys Irish Cream to help make the most luxurious of Thanksgiving cocktail recipes. Triple sec adds the orange, while milk and grated chocolate turn this drink into a dessert all on its own.
Get the recipe from Baileys.
Blood Sage Cocktail
Liquor.com
What do you do with all that leftover sage you used for your Thanksgiving turkey? Make a Blood Sage Cocktail, that's what! This truly unique creation uses seasonal blood orange and sage for a pairing you might have never thought of. Top the frothy cocktail with a sage leaf to say Happy Thanksgiving to all those you love.
Here's the recipe from Liquor.com.
Sweet Potato Pie Cocktail
Cooking.com
If there's one flavor you didn't think could be transformed into a cocktail, it's sweet potato. Guess what? Now you can, with a Sweet Potato Cocktail, also called the Casserole Cocktail. It starts with homemade sweet potato syrup featuring sweet potato, nutmeg and cloves. The syrup comes alive with bourbon, bitter orange Curaçao and lemon juice for freshness.
Check out the recipe from Cooking Channel.
Apple Bees Knees Cocktail
A Saucy Kitchen
One of the coolest vintage cocktails is the Bees Knees, famous for its honey flavor. This version keeps the honey syrup and adds apple juice and apple slices to remain fall-centric. Go retro this Thanksgiving while using up the excess apples you have left over after making pies.
Check out the recipe from A Saucy Kitchen.
Traditional White Sangria
Minimalist Baker
If you plan to make sangria this Thanksgiving, try something new with a white wine version. After all, white wine goes best with turkey (and it makes an unforgettable sangria). It shakes things up a bit with apple brandy, green apples, strawberries and nectarine (or peach). Your guests will be asking for more long after they've cleared their dinner plates.
Find the recipe from Minimalist Baker.
