15 Best Thanksgiving Cocktails – Recipes from Love and Lemons

Our best Thanksgiving cocktails! Find simple classics like an Old Fashioned as well as fun and festive fall drinks. You and your guests will love them!

I love adding a few Thanksgiving cocktails to my holiday menu every year. Sometimes I stick to the classics, serving mulled wine or dry martinis. Other years, I lean into the season and make Thanksgiving drinks full of fall flavors — think cranberry margaritas or apple cider sangria. Either way, they add the perfect festive finishing touch to the meal.

I’ve rounded up my best Thanksgiving cocktail recipes below. Check them out if you’re looking for drink ideas for your party. I hope you find some that you (and your guests) love!

Our Best Thanksgiving Cocktails

Apple Cider Sangria

This apple cider sangria is one of my favorite Thanksgiving cocktails because 1) it serves a crowd, 2) it’s full of hearty flavors, and 3) you can make it in advance. It tastes better after a night in the refrigerator!

Cranberry Margarita

Save the classic margaritas for summer: this cranberry margarita is perfect for the holiday season. Top it off with festive toppings like fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs.

Whiskey Sour

Sweet, tangy, rich and refreshing, this classic cocktail is easy to make with 4 simple ingredients. Want to save room for the big meal? Skip the egg white for a lighter drink.

Old-fashioned cocktail

With notes of orange and spice, an old fashioned is one of Jack’s favorite fall drinks. Make it with bourbon for a woodier flavor or rye for a spicier finish.

hot toddy

Sipping this cozy cocktail is a great way to warm up on a cold night! For a fun twist, replace the hot water with freshly brewed ginger tea.

Espresso Martini

Worried about falling asleep after your holiday feast? Sip an espresso martini for an extra energy boost! This sweet and creamy drink has been very popular in recent years. All your guests will want one too!

Apple cider cocktail

This 5-ingredient cocktail is one of my favorite drinks to make for fall entertaining. Made with warm spices, bourbon and apple cider, it’s bright, boozy and festive.

Manhattan Cocktail

If Jack isn’t drinking an old fashioned on Thanksgiving, he’ll be sipping a Manhattan. The bitters and sweet vermouth give it a bold, aromatic flavor, perfect for fall.

Moscow mule

Served in cute copper mugs, Moscow Mules are such a fun Thanksgiving cocktail. They’re easy to make with 3 ingredients: mix them to order or let guests mix their own!

Negroni

In Italy, a negroni is usually served as an appetizer. Its bitter, lemony flavor is supposed to whet your appetite. What better cocktail to sip before your Thanksgiving feast?

Mulled wine

The best batch cocktail for parties! Let this richly spiced red wine simmer on the stove while you put the finishing touches on dinner. It will make your kitchen smell amazing!

Cosmopolitan cocktail

I think any cranberry cocktail is fair game for Thanksgiving, Cosmos included! If you don’t want to shake them individually for your guests, prepare a large batch and chill it in advance.

Red sangria

Just like my apple cider sangria, this red sangria is a great make-ahead Thanksgiving cocktail. Replace the raspberries with cranberries to make the holidays even more festive.

Paloma Cocktail

Are sparkling citrus cocktails your favorite? There’s no reason why you shouldn’t make classic palomas for Thanksgiving. I use fresh grapefruit juice instead of soda for a brighter citrus flavor.

Gin Martini

So cool, so chic: you can never go wrong with a gin martini. Add a lemon zest or garnish with olives to treat guests to a bonus appetizer!

Best Thanksgiving Cocktails: Apple Cider Cocktail

Preparation time: 5 minutes minutes

Total duration: 5 minutes minutes

Serves 1

This apple cider and bourbon cocktail is one of our favorite Thanksgiving drinks!

• Ice
• 2 ounces bourbon
• 2 ounces apple cider
• 2 hyphens Angostura Bitters
• 2 ounces ginger beer
• A lemon juice, optional

For the garnish

• Cinnamon stick
• Star anise
• Apple slice
• Sprig of fresh thyme

Cooking methodStop your screen from going dark

• Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes. Add the bourbon, apple cider, bitters. Top with ginger beer and stir gently. Add a squeeze of lemon, if desired.

• Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise, a slice of apple and/or fresh thyme and serve.