Thanksgiving is upon us and that means FOOD, family, cozy weather and obviously something nice to sip on.
I don't know about you but I think the drinks deserve just as much attention as everything sitting on the table.
Especially when there is bourbon, cranberry, apple cider and all those warm spices involved.
A good Thanksgiving cocktail can make the evening feel a little more festive without you having to do too much.
And because we are already doing enough in the kitchen during Thanksgiving, I am all for drinks that look impressive without feeling overly complicated.
So, if your Thanksgiving bar cart is looking a little empty, here are some cozy cocktail ideas worth bringing out this season.
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25 Cozy Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes That Taste Like Fall
1. Spiced Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
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| @thristytales |
Apple cider and bourbon during Thanksgiving just makes sense.
Add a cinnamon stick and you have that warm fall look without trying too hard.
I would happily sip this one once dinner is out of the way.
2. Cranberry Rosemary Gin Fizz
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| @burpeegardening |
Cranberry gives this drink the festive color while rosemary makes it look extra pretty.
The combination feels light enough for anyone who doesn't want a heavy cocktail before dinner.
3. Pumpkin Spice White Russian
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| @jackiesmall |
Pumpkin spice has entered the cocktail chat and honestly, I am not mad about it.
This creamy drink has all those cozy fall flavors that work beautifully during Thanksgiving.
Serve it after dinner and it could practically pass for dessert.
I said practically!
4. Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned
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| @theendlessmeal |
Maple syrup with bourbon is such a good autumn combination, especially with a little orange peel on top.
5. Sparkling Pomegranate Prosecco Punch
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| @sugar&charm |
Want something sparkly for the Thanksgiving table?
Pomegranate and Prosecco make a gorgeous pair, and those little red seeds floating around make the drink look SO much fancier than it needs to be.
Gold-rimmed glasses would make this even prettier.
6. Warm Mulled Wine
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| @kellydrummond |
Nothing says chilly weather quite like warm wine filled with cinnamon, cloves and star anise.
If Thanksgiving evening gets cold where you live, this is one to keep in mind.
7. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Whiskey Sour
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| @cookie&kate |
This one is for the whiskey lovers.
Brown sugar brings the sweetness, cinnamon gives it that Thanksgiving feeling and the frothy top makes it look like something you ordered at a nice bar.
I would definitely save this for later in the evening.
Add a pretty glass and you're done.
Simple!
8. Harvest Moon Tequila Sangria
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| @kayla'skitchen&fix |
Tequila isn't usually the first thing I think about during Thanksgiving, which is exactly why I like this idea.
Add oranges and cinnamon to bring everything back into fall territory.
9. Caramel Apple Vodka Martini
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| @desserts&drinks |
Caramel apple but make it a cocktail?
Absolutely.
A sugar rim and a fresh apple slice make this one look extra cute, especially if you want something a little sweeter.
10. Spiced Pear And Ginger Mule
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| @jennifermeyering |
Pear deserves more attention during fall if you ask me, and pairing it with ginger in a cold copper mug is a very good place to start.
11. Hot Buttered Rum
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| @alimartin |
This is old-school cozy in the best way.
The warm rum, cinnamon and melted butter make it perfect for one of those Thanksgiving nights where everyone is sitting around talking long after dinner.
It is rich, so I wouldn't bring this one out too early.
Save it for when everyone is ready to relax.
12. Cranberry Orange Champagne Cocktail
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| @homebodyeats |
If you like lighter drinks, cranberry and orange with champagne is such an easy win.
The colors alone look beautiful beside a Thanksgiving table.
13. Smoky Mezcal And Honey Cocktail
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| @betterhomes&gardens |
This one is darker and a little more dramatic.
Honey brings in sweetness while mezcal adds that smoky taste that feels right at home during fall.
A charred-looking rim would really complete the vibe.
14. Vanilla Chai Spiced Rum Toddy
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| @wheretianatravels |
Chai, vanilla and rum sound like something I would happily wrap both hands around on a cold night.
15. Frozen Pumpkin Pie Cocktail
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| @inspiredbycharm |
Not every Thanksgiving drink needs to be warm.
This creamy pumpkin pie cocktail is basically for anyone who wants dessert AND a drink at the same time.
Top it with whipped cream and nutmeg because at this point, why hold back?
It is Thanksgiving.
16. Blackberry Sage Bourbon Smash
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| @deniswoodward |
The dark blackberry color is what gets me with this one. Fresh sage adds a very fall-looking touch and bourbon keeps everything warm and cozy.
17. Spiced Apple Mocktail
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| @themindfulmocktail |
Someone at the table will probably want something without alcohol, so having a pretty option ready is always a good idea.
Apple, cinnamon and star anise still give it all the cozy Thanksgiving vibes.
Serve it warm or over ice depending on the mood.
Nobody should be stuck drinking plain water while everyone else gets the fancy glasses!
18. Sweet Potato Pie Bourbon Cream
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| @foodnetwork |
Sweet potato in a cocktail sounds unusual but Thanksgiving is probably the perfect time to try it.
This creamy drink leans more toward dessert, especially with cinnamon on top.
19. Rosemary Grapefruit Vodka Spritz
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| @foxeslovelemons |
Not everything has to be brown, orange or deep red this season.
A pink grapefruit spritz adds something bright to the table while rosemary still keeps the drink feeling seasonal.
I love this one for an earlier Thanksgiving gathering.
20. Toasted Pecan Amaretto Sour
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| @amanda'scookin' |
Pecan pie fans, come here.
The toasted pecan rim gives this drink that nutty fall look before you even take the first sip.
21. Cinnamon Plum Dark Rum Cocktail
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| @well&full |
Dark rum and plum feel a little moody and I mean that in a good way.
Cinnamon brings in the holiday flavor while the deep red color makes this drink look gorgeous in a simple glass.
This is definitely one for slow sipping.
Very Thanksgiving evening.
22. Fig And Balsamic Whiskey Cocktail
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| @janice |
Fig and whiskey already sound rich enough, but adding balsamic takes things in an unexpected direction.
If you like cocktails that aren't overly sweet, this is worth trying.
23. Butterscotch Schnapps Hot Cocoa
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| @aleciablair |
Hot chocolate after Thanksgiving dinner?
Yes.
Hot chocolate with butterscotch schnapps, whipped cream and a little sparkle on top?
Even better.
This is the drink I would bring out when everyone has officially given up pretending they aren't having more dessert.
24. Spiced Persimmon Rum Punch
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| @theviewfromgreatisland |
Persimmon has such a pretty golden-orange color that it already looks made for fall.
Pair it with rum and a few thin fruit slices for a cocktail that looks beautiful sitting on the table.
25. Midnight Mulberry Sparkling Sangria
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| @plattershare |
I saved one of the prettiest for last. That dark purple mulberry color with sparkling bubbles is such a nice change from the usual Thanksgiving drinks.
Put it in a gold-rimmed glass and suddenly everyone wants one.
Can't blame them.
Conclusion
And that is all we have today on cozy Thanksgiving cocktails to sip your way through the holiday.
From warm bourbon and apple drinks to sparkly cranberry, pomegranate and even pumpkin cocktails, there really is something for every kind of Thanksgiving mood.
Personally, I would have one lighter option ready before dinner and bring out the richer drinks once everyone is full and relaxing.
Because if there is ever a day to enjoy good food AND a cute cocktail, Thanksgiving is definitely it.
