Best DIY Thanksgiving cocktails

Thanksgiving is almost here. Instead of serving your usual drinks this year, how about mixing it up? Need some inspiration? Here are five Thanksgiving-inspired festive cocktails 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 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. 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

3. 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 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

4. 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 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

5. 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 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
References
  1. "36 Festive Thanksgiving Cocktails to Liven up the Table," Delish, October 1, 2019.
  2. "Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes," Food & Wine, n.d.

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