The 10 Best Drink Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner

Best DIY Thanksgiving mocktails and cocktails

Thanksgiving is almost here, and it’s the perfect opportunity to gather with family and friends to celebrate the season of gratitude and abundance. While turkey and stuffing often take center stage at the dinner table, the drinks you serve can elevate the entire dining experience. Instead of sticking to the usual beverages, why not mix it up this year? Embrace the vibrant flavors of fall by incorporating seasonal ingredients like apples, cranberries, and pears into your drink recipes. From refreshing mocktails for the non-drinkers to indulgent cocktails, there’s something here for everyone.

This Thanksgiving, let your beverage choices reflect the spirit of the season. Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering or an intimate dinner, these ten Thanksgiving-inspired festive mocktails and cocktails are sure to impress your guests and enhance your holiday celebration. Need some inspiration? Here are ten delightful recipes to try:

1. Pumpkin spice mules

This yummy cocktail screams fall and is guaranteed to become a Thanksgiving staple quickly. This recipe yields two servings.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pumpkin pie vodka
1/4 cup apple cider
1 12-oz can of ginger beer
Pumpkin spice and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Directions:

Fill two copper mugs with ice
Divide the vodka and apple cider between the mugs
Top the mugs off with ginger beer
Sprinkle a little pumpkin spice on top
Garnish with a cinnamon stick

2. Apple cider shandy

This nonalcoholic recipe calls for a twist on traditional apple cider — add lime juice and fruity garnish for some pazazz. This recipe makes two servings.

Ingredients:

6 ounces of green apple cider
6 ounces sparkling apple cider
2 tablespoons lime juice
green apple slices

Directions:

Combine the green apple cider and sparkling apple cider in a glass
Top it off with fresh lime juice and garnish with green apple slices

3. Pecan pie martinis

This delicious cocktail tastes just like a boozy version of homemade pecan pie. This recipe makes three servings.

Ingredients:

6 ounces rumchata
6 ounces creme de cocoa
3 ounces bourbon
3 tablespoons caramel, melted
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Cool whip
Cinnamon

Directions:

Place the melted caramel and chopped pecans on separate plates
Dip the rim of each glass first into the caramel and then into the chopped pecans to coat
In a large cocktail shaker, combine the rumchata, creme de cocoa, and bourbon
Fill with ice and shake until cold for about 30 seconds
Pour into martini glasses and top with cool whip and a sprinkle of cinnamon

4. Hot spiced tea

When the temperature starts to drop, it’s time to reach for something hot. This spiced tea is made using fresh cinnamon sticks, chai tea, and cloves to give off major holiday vibes. This recipe yields 16 servings.

Ingredients:

6 chai tea bags
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Bring four cups of water to a boil in a large pot, and then remove from heat
Add the chai tea bags and let seep for a few minutes
Discard the tea bags, and stir in cloves, cinnamon sticks, and 8 cups additional water
Bring mixture to a boil over high, and reduce heat to medium
Simmer until sugar dissolves and mixture is fragrant (about five minutes)
Remove spices using a fine mesh strainer and discard
Stir in pineapple, orange, and lemon juices
Serve immediately in mugs

5. Cranberry mimosas

Nothing says the holidays like cranberries! This Thanksgiving cocktail combines fresh cranberries with champagne. This recipe yields one serving.

Ingredients:

1 lime, halved
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup sweetened cranberry juice
1 bottle champagne
12 fresh cranberries
4 small sprigs of fresh rosemary

Directions:

Rim the champagne flute with lime and dip it in sugar
Pour 1/4 cup cranberry juice into each glass and top with champagne
Poke a hole through the fresh cranberries using a toothpick
Thread the rosemary skewer through the cranberries and garnish the mimosa

6. Pear, pumpkin, and ginger juice

This nonalcoholic drink screams everything fall with seasonal fruits (plus it’s loaded with antioxidants). This recipe serves two people.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup pumpkin, peeled and deseeded
1 ripe pear
8 ounces orange juice
1 inch sliced ginger
1/2 cup water

Directions:

Cut the pumpkin into small chunks
Place the pumpkin in a blender along with the pear, orange juice, ginger, and 1/2 cup of water
Blend until smooth and then pour into glasses

7. Apple cider sangria

Fall is officially apple season. Celebrate Thanksgiving with this spiced apple sangria that combines fresh apples with oranges. This recipe yields eight servings.

Ingredients:

1 Granny Smith apple, sliced
1 Honeycrisp apple, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 orange, sliced
2 cups apple cider
1 12-ounce can of ginger beer
1 bottle of white wine

Directions:

Fill a large pitcher with sliced fruit
Add the apple cider, ginger beer, and white wine
Stir the mixture and pour into serving glasses

8. Sparkling cranberry limeaide

This is the perfect refreshing mocktail for Thanksgiving — the cranberry and lime flavors complement each other perfectly. This recipe makes 16 servings.

Ingredients:

5 ounces frozen limeaid concentrate
64 ounces cranberry juice
2 liters Sprite
Fresh cranberries
Lime slices

Directions:

Add the limeaid concentrate to a large pitcher
Pour in the cranberry juice and stir together
Pour in the soda and give another stir
Garnish with fresh cranberries and lime slices
Serve immediately

9. Pear and thyme fizz

This sophisticated yet tasty and unique fall cocktail uses apples, pears, and thyme. This recipe yields six servings.

Ingredients:

2 cups apple juice
1 pear, thinly sliced
12 sprigs of fresh thyme
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur
1 bottle of sparkling wine

Directions:

In a large pitcher, combine the apple juice, pears, thyme, and liqueur
Stir together and refrigerate for four hours
Divide between six champagne flutes, discarding the thyme
Fill the remainder of each glass with champagne
Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh thyme

10. Pear apple cider

This nonalcoholic drink is a twist on classic apple cider, adding extra depth with pears. This recipe makes eight servings.

Ingredients:

3 ripe pears, sliced
3 apples, sliced
1/2 gallon pear juice
1/2 gallon apple juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cinnamon sticks
2 cloves

Directions:

Place the sliced pears and apples at the bottom of a big pot
Add all the remaining ingredients into the pot and stir
Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes
Use a strainer to remove the pears, apples, cinnamon sticks, and cloves
Serve warm

Add an extra layer of joy to your festivities

As you prepare for this Thanksgiving, remember that the right drinks can add an extra layer of joy to your festivities. These DIY mocktails and cocktails not only celebrate the flavors of the season but also create memorable experiences for your guests. Whether you choose to serve a cozy hot spiced tea or a sparkling cranberry mimosa, each drink brings a unique twist to your holiday table.

So, gather your ingredients, get creative, and toast to a season filled with warmth, love, and gratitude. Cheers to a fantastic Thanksgiving filled with good food, great company, and, of course, delicious drinks! Happy mixing!