Thanksgiving is a time for family get-togethers and indulging in a feast for the ages. Still, Thanksgiving cocktails are also fast becoming a holiday staple, hence Thanksgiving Eve.
Thanksgiving Eve is an unofficial holiday where people indulge in their favorite spirits. It’s also had the unintended effect of seeing 35% of all road fatalities involving driving under the influence.
But that hasn’t stopped people from enjoying the holiday responsibly. If you’re looking for some fall cocktails to slurp on with the family, or you’re ready to get creative and come up with your own concoctions, here’s where to start.
7 Thanksgiving Cocktails to Start the Holiday Season
Everyone knows about the staples of the Thanksgiving meal, including the 46 million turkeys expected to be cooked this year. But why not jazz up your party with some fun and fruity cocktails?
We’ve gathered ten of the best cocktail recipes to impress your guests this holiday season.
1. Pumpkin Martini
If you’d prefer to drink your dessert, the pumpkin martini is a twist on one of the most famous summer cocktails.
This boozy variation of pumpkin pie will have you taste fall flavors, and it’s sure to put a zip in your step.
· Prep Time – Five minutes
· Cook Time – 0 minutes
· Total Time – Five minutes
· Serves – One person
· Calories – 373 kcal
Ingredients
· Two tablespoons of crushed graham crackers.
· One tablespoon of granulated sugar.
· 1.5 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.
· 1.5 tablespoons of pumpkin puree.
· 1.5 ounces of Irish cream liqueur.
· 1.5 ounces of vanilla vodka.
· One cinnamon stick.
· Ice.
Instructions
1. Combine your graham crackers, sugar, and pumpkin spice in a small dish.
2. Pour a small amount of Irish cream liqueur into a second small dish and rim the glass.
3. Combine your remaining ingredients in an iced cocktail shaker.
4. Shake for at least 30 seconds and strain.
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Notes
· The rimming mixture can make four cocktails or more.
· Feel free to swap out the vodka with a spiced rum.
· Like all vodka cocktails, the strength will depend on your choice of vodka.
2. Fresh Cranberry Cocktail
Fall is cranberry season, and there’s no respectable Thanksgiving table in the land that won’t have the flavor of cranberries.
Check out this recipe that combines tartness and sweetness for a delicious combination.
· Prep Time – Three minutes
· Cook Time – 0 minutes
· Total Time – Three minutes
· Serves – One person
· Calories – 231 kcal
Ingredients
· ¼ cup of fresh cranberries.
· 1.5 ounces of vodka or bourbon.
· Fresh mint leaves.
· Lime wedge.
· One teaspoon of brown sugar.
· Five ounces of ginger ale.
· Ice.
Instructions
1. Place your ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
2. Muddle the cranberries and mint as you pour.
3. Shake for 10 seconds.
4. Place the mixture into an iced rocks glass.
5. Add ginger ale and garnish with mint.
Notes
· Use fresh cranberries instead of frozen ones.
· Eliminate the vodka to make a cranberry mocktail.
3. Pomegranate Poinsettia
Transform a classic holiday champagne cocktail recipe into a fall sensation. This pleasant cocktail relies on a specific brand of pomegranate liqueur, meaning you get a genuine one-of-a-kind taste.
· Prep Time – Three minutes
· Cook Time – 0 minutes
· Total Time – Three minutes
· Serves – One person
· Calories – 290 kcal
Ingredients
· One ounce of Pama pomegranate liqueur.
· One ounce of orange liqueur.
· One ounce of orange juice.
· Three ounces of champagne.
· Ice.
Instructions
1. Pour everything but your champagne into a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake your ingredients.
3. Add the champagne slowly while stirring.
4. Strain into a champagne flute.
Notes
· Any champagne can work with this cocktail, including prosecco.
· Opt for freshly squeezed orange juice.
5. Hot Buttered Rum
Warm your heart with this gently spiced option for Thanksgiving cocktails. With this spiced butter variation, you can add an extra kick to the classic version. As far as rum cocktails go, this recipe bursts with personality.
· Prep Time – Ten minutes
· Cook Time – 0 minutes
· Total Time – Ten minutes
· Serves – One person
· Calories – 270 kcal
Ingredients
· Two teaspoons of packed brown sugar.
· One tablespoon of butter unsalted.
· Pure vanilla extract.
· Two ounces of dark rum.
· One dash of ground nutmeg.
· One dash of ground cinnamon.
· One dash of ground allspice.
· Four ounces of hot water.
· Cinnamon stick.
Instructions
1. Mix butter, sugar, spices, and vanilla extract in a mug.
2. Pour in your rum.
3. Add your hot water.
4. Stir well.
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Notes
· Use more water to reduce the alcohol content.
· Try making your own butter for some extra fun.
6. Cranberry Fresh Punch
No party would be complete without a fresh punch. This gin drink allows you to serve a large gathering without spending all your time slaving away at the minibar.
With 40% of the gin market being made of London drys, this is where you should head when assembling this cocktail.
· Prep Time – Five minutes
· Cook Time – Zero minutes
· Total Time – Five minutes
· Serves – 14 people
· Calories – 153 kcal
Ingredients
· 2.25 cups of London dry gin.
· 1.5 cups of triple sec.
· ¾ of a cup of lemon juice.
· 2.5 cups of cranberry juice.
· ¼ of a cup of allspice dram.
· 1.5 cups of seasonal berries.
· Rosemary sprigs.
Instructions
1. Combine everything in a pitcher.
2. Stir well and refrigerate.
3. Serve with berries, ice, and rosemary sprig.
Notes
· This gin cocktail works best with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
7. Margarita Cocktail
No more popular cocktail exists than the margarita. This is the one if you’re seeking Thanksgiving cocktails that’ll work with any season.
Here’s how to make this tequila cocktail for your party.
· Prep Time – Three minutes
· Cook Time – 0 minutes
· Total Time – Three minutes
· Serves – One person
· Calories – 170 kcal
Ingredients
· 1.5 ounces of tequila.
· One ounce of triple sec.
· ¾ of an ounce of lime juice.
· Lime.
· Coarse salt.
Instructions
1. Rim a margarita glass with lime and salt.
2. Pour your liquids into a chilled cocktail shaker.
3. Shake and strain into your glass.
4. Garnish with a lime.
Notes
· The quality of your margaritas will depend on the liquor quality.
· Opt for freshly squeezed lime juice.
Conclusion
Here are your top seven Thanksgiving cocktails for a holiday to remember. But if you want to take your party even further, consider which weed strain goes best with each cocktail.
At Flavor Fix, we’re the number one hub for cocktails, cannabis, and delectable combinations that work. Check out our other guides to learn more now.
