
21 Thanksgiving-Inspired Cocktail Recipes to Spice up Your Holiday Dinner
By Lizzy RosenbergNov. 24 2020, Published 4:10 p.m. ET
Though Thanksgiving may look a bit different this year amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (also known as COVID-19), you and your friends/family can still celebrate with these delicious cocktails. Whether you're celebrating with your immediate household or hosting a virtual dinner, Distractify rounded up some of the best drinks for your Thanksgiving feast.
21 Thanksgiving cocktail recipes you need to try!
From ciders to old-fashioneds, and even sangria, check out these Thanksgiving cocktail recipes. There are so many fall-inspired sips out there that you definitely won't want to miss.
1. Montaukila Pomegranate New Old Fashioned

Warm up a bit with this (new) old fashioned recipe! Muddle fresh pomegranate seeds, a dash of chocolate chile bitters, and a dash of simple syrup. Then, mix in two ounces of Montaukila Anejo (tequila), a splash of club soda and fill with ice. Stir, strain, and enjoy!
2. Media Noche

If you're looking for the perfect dessert drink post-turkey, this recipe is for you. A twist of the classic espresso martini, add two parts D’USSE VSOP Cognac, one and one-half parts of Café Bustel Espresso (chilled), three-quarter part simple syrup, half and half, and coconut milk. Shake these ingredients with ice and strain into a glass. For an even sweeter experience, garnish your rim with coconut. Yum!
3. Apples to Apples

While the kids' table sips apple juice, you'll be sipping the adult version, Apples to Apples.
Combine one shot of Don Papa rum, an ounce of apple juice, half an ounce of spiced maple syrup, half an ounce of lemon juice, and half an ounce of egg whites with ice. Shake vigorously before finely straining into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with pink peppercorn and a rosemary sprig.
4. “Krasnyy Sour” for Thanksgiving

Cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving staple, so the Krasnyy Sour is bound to complement the entirety of your feast.
To create these for your guests, combine two ounces of Russian Standard Vodka with an ounce of fresh lemon juice, two teaspoons of cranberry jelly, and half an ounce of simple syrup. Shake with ice, and garnish with a lemon peel.
5. Thanksgiving Ginger Diplo

For an extra festive ~lewk~ opt for the Thanksgiving Ginger Diplo.
Combine a shot of Diplomático Mantuano Rum with three ounces of ginger ale, and a dash of cocoa bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled, and strain into a rocks glass before garnishing with rosemary and cranberries.
6. BACARDÍ Treacle

If you're craving a subtle taste of fall, combine two and a half parts BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho with .25 parts sugar syrup, one part apple juice, and two dashes of orange bitters. Build over rocks of ice, and garnish with an apple slice.
7. Cascade Cider

Wash down all that apple pie and vanilla ice cream with a Cascade Cider.
First, shake a shot of Cascade Blonde American Whiskey with three ounces of cider over ice. Strain into a glass and squeeze a small orange wedge into the drink. Drop it into the cup, and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
8. Botanical75

Those seeking out a ~light~ pre-feast sip will enjoy the Botanical75.
Combine a shot of Ketel One Botanical cucumber and mint with half an ounce of elderflower liqueur, and one ounce of lemon juice. Shake it with ice for 10 seconds, and strain into a champagne flute. Top with a shot of brut sparkling wine, and garnish with a cucumber slice.
9. Autumn Old Fashioned

Get ready for an herbal twist on the classic cocktail.
Start out by combining two and a half ounces of Monkey 47 Gin, .25 ounces of Autumn Spice Syrup (four bags of chai tea steeped with sugar), a dash of Angostura Bitters and ice in a mixing glass. Stir for seven seconds, and pour over more ice. Then, garnish with an orange twist and cloves.
10. Sparkling Fall Sangria

Reminiscent of the Spanish drink, this fall twist is bound to keep you satisfied while you're curled up by the fire this Thanksgiving.
Combine three bottles of Bai Ipanema Pomegranate, one bottle of Prosecco, one bottle of red wine, one cup of brandy, three sliced apples, two cups of figs (halved), and one cup of pomegranate seeds in a large pitcher. Stir, and serve over ice.
11. Stelvio Pass

This recipe from NYC cocktail bar, Death & Co, is bound to be a hit.
In a wine glass, combine one ounce of Braulio, half an ounce of Zacapa Rum, two teaspoons of Framboise, one teaspoon of simple syrup, two ounces of Lambrusco, and one ounce of soda. Then, garnish with an orange slice.
12. Black Russian

For the Black Russian, start out by filling a rocks glass with ice, combining one part Kahlúa with two parts Absolut Vodka. Mix and enjoy with a cherry on top.
"The dude abides."
13. Harvest Old Fashioned

This is bound to warm you up on a blustery November night.
Combine a shot of Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey with half an ounce of Clarified Sweet Potato and half an ounce of Amaro in a rocks glass and enjoy.
14. Sparkling Pumpkin Pie

A little sweetness never hurt nobody.
Pour two ounces of honey whiskey, half an ounce of lemon juice, and a teaspoon of pumpkin puree into a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a rocks glass and add four ounces of Sparkling Ice Crisp Apple, before topping with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
15. The Glenlivet Punch

Combine three parts The Glenlivet 14 Year Old with one part orange juice, one part lemon juice, one part maple syrup, one part ginger ale, and 48 dashes of angostura bitters in a punch bowl with ice. Garnish with lemon wheels, orange half wheels, grated cinnamon and cinnamon sticks.
16. Steel Reserve's Alloy Series

OK, while these aren't cocktails — per se — they're the perfect drinks to make your family laugh.
Each can contains malt liquor with fruity flavors like Spiked Strawberry Burst and Blue Raspberry, boasting different awkward situations that could happen while you're home for the holidays, from "when you slide into your friend's sister's DMs" to "when your uncle wants to talk politics." If you do decide to serve them, pour into a glass with ice for a little extra ~class.~
17. How About Dam Apples

This is the perfect aprés-dinner drink.
Shake one part Damrak Gin with one part Apple Brandy, one part lemon juice, one part cinnamon syrup, and a half part of Galliano L’Autentico. Strain the liquid and garnish with cinnamon shavings.
There are so many fall drinks out there, and these are clearly the best of the best. Your family (and your tastebuds) will definitely thank you.
18. Honey & Spice Rock

If you're looking for a simple drink that will really spice up your holiday, try this Honey & Spice Rock recipe. To make the infused cube drink, you first need an ice mold. Then, add purified or boiled water (cooled), honey water (1 part honey, 1 part water), ginger, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns, and freeze the mold. When you're ready to drink, add two parts of D’USSE XO Cognac to a honey & spice infused ice cube. Enjoy.
19. Cranberry Cooler

This drink is perfect for any Thanksgiving meal! The Cranberry Cooler (a rum cocktail made by NYC mixologist Ben Rojo), combines Don Papa Rum (1 1/2 part), spiced cranberry-pomegranate honey syrup (half part), grapefruit juice (one part), and lemon juice (one-fourth part). Combine the ingredients and shake with ice. Finally, strain your mixture into a glass over crushed ice and garnish with pomegranate seeds and mint sprig.
20. Cinnamon Apple Smash

Looking for a boozy apple cider for this Thanksgiving? We have the perfect recipe! Mix together 1 1/2 parts of King St. Vodka (by actress Kate Hudson), half an orange (juiced), and three-quarter parts Fall Spiced Brown Sugar Simple Syrup. Shake over ice and strain into a glass. Top this delicious cocktail off with sparkling apple cider and enjoy!
21. Spiced Up Cider

Fill a glass with ice and combine BACARDÍ Spiced Rum (1 1/2 parts), lime juice (half part), cinnamon syrup (half part), and shake.
Ingredients:
• 1.5 oz BACARDÍ Spiced Rum
• 0.5 oz Lime Juice (fresh pressed)
• 0.5 oz Cinnamon Syrup
• 3 oz Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider
Method: Fill a highball glass with ice. Combine and shake BACARDÍ Spiced Rum, Lime Juice and Cinnamon Syrup, and strain into the highball glass with ice. Top with Sparkling Apple Cider and garnish with a lime wedge.