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6 Thanksgiving Cocktails for a Cozy Holiday

By Alec Espiritu · · 3 min read

Three Thanksgiving cocktails on a wooden table: an Old Fashioned in a rocks glass, a pink Sea Breeze over ice with a lime wheel, and a steaming…

Quick answer: the best Thanksgiving cocktails to make at home are the Old Fashioned, Sea Breeze, Jack Rose Cocktail, Mulled Wine, Sangria and an alcohol-free Apple Cider Punch. The easiest is the Sea Breeze: three ingredients over ice.

The kitchen is about to get very busy. You have the turkey, the potatoes and the pie to think about. You do not need a drink that takes three stovetops and a chemistry degree.

These six are picked for variety and ease. Some are for sipping slowly after the meal, some are for warming up on a cold porch, and one is for the person who is driving or skipping the alcohol. They all fit the season without trying too hard to be cute.

Classic Thanksgiving cocktails

Old Fashioned

Bourbon, sugar and bitters, stirred over one big cube. It's strong and simple, and it's the drink for after dinner when the plates are cleared.

What you need: 1½ oz bourbon, ¼ oz simple syrup, 2 dashes Angostura bitters, an orange peel and a cherry.

Sea Breeze

Vodka, cranberry and grapefruit. It's light and tart, so it works before the heavy meal starts, and the cranberry keeps it on theme.

What you need: 1½ oz vodka, 4 oz cranberry juice and 1 oz grapefruit juice, over ice.

Jack Rose Cocktail

The apple drink on the list: apple brandy, grenadine and lime. Smooth and a little sweet, and it goes well with the fruit on the table.

What you need: 1½ oz apple brandy, ½ oz lime juice and ¼ oz grenadine, shaken and strained.

Warm and big-batch Thanksgiving drinks

Mulled Wine

You heat it up and the house smells like a bakery. It's the one for a cold evening, and it holds well on the stove.

What you need (makes a batch): about 25 oz (760 ml) red wine, 24 oz water, 12 oz simple syrup, 12 cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks, 2 oz brandy and lemon peel.

Sangria

Made by the pitcher, so it's easy to set up before the guests arrive and it serves a crowd.

What you need (makes a pitcher): 11 oz red wine, 8 oz orange juice, 8 oz lemon juice, 6 oz simple syrup, a clove and a cinnamon stick.

Apple Cider Punch

Spiced, sweet and warm. It contains no alcohol as written, so it's the one to set out for everyone. Check the labels if you need to be sure.

What you need (makes a big batch): about a gallon of apple cider, 8 oz brown sugar, 6 oz lemonade, 6 oz orange juice, 6 whole cloves, 6 whole allspice, ¼ oz nutmeg and 3 cinnamon sticks.

More Thanksgiving cocktail ideas

The full list is on our Thanksgiving cocktails page.

Making Thanksgiving drinks feel like a holiday

  • Use glassware that matches the drink. A clear glass for the Sea Breeze shows off the color.
  • Garnish simply. A twist of orange peel or a cinnamon stick is enough.
  • Keep the warm drinks in a slow cooker or a pot on low so they stay hot all evening.
  • Set the alcohol-free punch out in its own pitcher so people can pick easily.

Thanksgiving cocktail questions

What is the best cocktail for Thanksgiving?

The Old Fashioned is the classic for after dinner. For before the meal, a Sea Breeze is lighter and has cranberry in it.

What is a good big-batch drink for Thanksgiving?

Mulled Wine or Sangria for wine drinkers, and Apple Cider Punch if you want a pitcher everyone can have. All three can be made ahead.

What can I serve guests who don't drink alcohol?

Apple Cider Punch or Cranberry Punch. Both contain no alcohol as written. Check the labels if you need to be sure.

What cocktail goes with turkey?

Something with fruit and a little tartness, like a Jack Rose Cocktail or a Sea Breeze, keeps up with a rich meal without overpowering it.

Cheers, and happy Thanksgiving.

Every cocktail in this post