Thanksgiving Cocktails You Can Make At Home
Thanksgiving is all about family, friends and a feast that stretches across the table. As mobile bartenders, we also know the drinks matter just as much as the sides. The right Thanksgiving cocktails set the tone as guests walk in, carry them through turkey and stuffing and keep the party going during dessert.
This roundup pulls together our favorite bartender tested Thanksgiving cocktails that already live in our recipe library. You will find cranberry drinks, apple cider cocktails, pumpkin spice treats and big batch recipes you can build in a pitcher before guests arrive. Click through to each drink for the full recipe, measurements and step by step photos.
Featured Thanksgiving Cocktails
Short on time and just want the hits for Thanksgiving? Start with one of these fall favorites, from bourbon sours and pumpkin spice drinks to apple cider mules and cozy hot toddies.
Cranberry Thanksgiving Cocktails
Cranberries are a Thanksgiving classic. They add color, tartness and just the right amount of holiday energy to a drink. These cranberry cocktails work well as a pre dinner welcome drink or all night sippers.
Cranberry Bourbon Sour
If you want a Thanksgiving bourbon cocktail that feels cozy without being too heavy, start with our Cranberry Bourbon Sour. It mixes bourbon with cranberry, lemon and a touch of sweetness for a bright, balanced drink that pairs well with turkey and roasted vegetables.
Cranberry Citrus Punch
Hosting a crowd. Build a pitcher of Cranberry Citrus Punch. It layers cranberry with orange, lemon and a bit of sparkle. You can serve it zero proof for the whole family or set out vodka, rum or gin so guests can spike their glass.
Cranberry Mimosa
For Thanksgiving brunch or a lighter start to the day, pour a round of Cranberry Mimosas. They use cranberry juice and sparkling wine for a tart, bubbly drink that looks great in a toast photo and takes less than a minute per glass.
Spiced Rum and Cranberry
When you want something simple that still feels like a proper holiday cocktail, try our Spiced Rum and Cranberry. It is only a few ingredients, very easy to batch and the spiced rum brings warm baking spice notes that fit right in with the rest of the meal.
Apple Cider Cocktails For Thanksgiving
Apple cider might be the unofficial flavor of fall. These cocktails highlight cider in different ways, from tequila based drinks to refreshing mules.
Apple Cider Margarita
Our Apple Cider Margarita is a fun twist on the classic margarita. It swaps part of the lime and orange for spiced cider so you still get that familiar structure with a very fall forward flavor. Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar and it feels like a holiday in a glass.
Apple Cider Mule
If your family loves Moscow Mules, the Apple Cider Mule is an easy upgrade for Thanksgiving. Vodka, ginger beer and cider come together in a copper mug for a drink that is crisp, spicy and very easy to sip before dinner.
Caramel Apple Mule
For guests who like a sweeter drink, the Caramel Apple Mule leans into dessert territory. It layers cider with caramel and ginger beer so it tastes like a caramel apple with a kick.
Apple Cider Spritz
The Apple Cider Spritz is a lighter option that still reads as festive. It combines cider with sparkling wine and a touch of citrus, which makes it a good match for rich sides like stuffing and mac and cheese.
Pumpkin Spice And Dessert Cocktails
When the pies come out, switch to dessert style cocktails. These pumpkin and cream based drinks feel like an extra treat after dinner.
Pumpkin Spice Martini
Our Pumpkin Spice Martini is a Thanksgiving favorite at events. It is rich, creamy and tastes like pumpkin pie with a little more attitude. Serve it in a chilled martini glass and garnish with nutmeg or a cinnamon stick.
Pumpkin Spice White Russian
For guests who love coffee flavored drinks, the Pumpkin Spice White Russian combines coffee liqueur, vodka and pumpkin spice cream. It is smooth, a little decadent and an easy way to replace or complement dessert.
Big Batch Thanksgiving Cocktails For A Crowd
Batch cocktails are the secret to enjoying your own party. Mix them before guests ring the bell, then just add ice and garnish during the night. These recipes all scale well and work in a pitcher or drink dispenser.
Fall Sangria
Our Fall Sangria is built for holiday gatherings. It uses wine, cider and seasonal fruit like apples, pears and oranges. Stir it together a few hours ahead so the flavors meld, then add sparkling water right before serving if you want some bubbles.
Spiced Rum Punch
For a rum based option, try the Spiced Rum Punch. It brings in warming spices and fruit so it feels right at home next to the turkey and gravy. Serve it in a punch bowl with citrus wheels and cinnamon sticks floating on top.
Cozy Sippers For After Dinner
Once the dishes are stacked and everyone is moving to the couch, switch to slow, warming drinks that stretch out the night.
Maple Old Fashioned
The Maple Old Fashioned takes the classic Old Fashioned and swaps simple syrup for maple syrup. It is a small change that makes the drink feel very fall focused and pairs nicely with pecan pie or pumpkin pie.
Hot Toddy
When the temperature drops, a Hot Toddy is hard to beat. Whiskey, hot water, honey and lemon create a soothing drink that feels like a warm blanket in a mug. We like to serve these outside around a fire pit once the plates are cleared.
Rosemary Gin Fizz
If you want something a little fresher after a rich meal, the Rosemary Gin Fizz uses gin, citrus and rosemary syrup for a savory, herbal cocktail. It feels lighter than a cream based drink but still reads as very seasonal.
How To Plan Your Thanksgiving Bar
For most Thanksgiving gatherings we recommend choosing:
- One cranberry based cocktail, like Cranberry Bourbon Sour or Cranberry Mimosa.
- One apple or cider drink, such as Apple Cider Margarita or Apple Cider Mule.
- One big batch option like Fall Sangria or Spiced Rum Punch.
- One dessert or after dinner drink, such as Pumpkin Spice Martini or Maple Old Fashioned.
If you are not sure how much alcohol to buy for your guest count, use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator. It will estimate bottles by headcount and drink style so you can stock up once and avoid emergency store runs in the middle of cooking.
Want to enjoy the day and let someone else handle the bar. Visit our bartender booking page to learn more about hiring Bartend Long Island for Thanksgiving and holiday house parties.
Thanksgiving Cocktails Your Guests Will Remember
Whether you lean toward cranberry drinks, bourbon based sippers or creamy dessert cocktails, building a small but intentional drink menu will make your Thanksgiving feel more put together. Use these recipes as a starting point, choose a few that match your crowd and prep what you can the day before. Your guests will remember the details and you will have more time to actually enjoy the holiday.
Thanksgiving Cocktail FAQs
What are some good Thanksgiving cocktails?
Some of the best Thanksgiving cocktails highlight cranberry, apple cider, pumpkin spice, and warming fall flavors. Our most popular drinks at holiday events include the Cranberry Bourbon Sour, Pumpkin Spice Martini, Apple Cider Margarita, Maple Old Fashioned, and Hot Toddy. These cocktails pair naturally with turkey, stuffing, and classic Thanksgiving sides.
What cocktail pairs well with turkey?
Turkey pairs best with cocktails that are bright, citrus-forward, and have enough acidity to cut through rich, savory dishes. Our favorites include the Cranberry Bourbon Sour, Rosemary Gin Fizz, and Apple Cider Spritz. These drinks balance the heaviness of turkey with freshness and fall flavor.
What alcohol do people drink on Thanksgiving?
Bourbon, spiced rum, apple-based spirits, and fall liqueurs are the most popular choices on Thanksgiving. At events we bartend, guests frequently choose bourbon cocktails, apple cider drinks, pumpkin spice cocktails, or big-batch rum punches that pair well with a festive fall meal.
What is the 2:1:1 rule for cocktails?
The 2:1:1 rule is a classic cocktail formula: two parts spirit, one part sweet, and one part sour. It is the foundation of drinks like whiskey sours, margaritas, daiquiris, and many Thanksgiving cocktail riffs. Once you understand this ratio, you can easily create balanced fall variations with cranberry, maple, or apple cider.
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