10 Must-Try Thanksgiving Cocktails for 2024!

ByViolet ParkerEditorial Policy

Thanksgiving isn’t just about the turkey and stuffing (though I do love both those things). It’s also a chance to serve up some fun, festive cocktails that will keep the conversation flowing and the holiday spirit high. Whether you’re looking for a punch to serve a crowd or a cozy, spiced drink to sip by the fire, this collection of the 10 best Thanksgiving cocktails has you covered. These drinks are guaranteed to impress your guests, keep Aunt Karen’s holiday stories even more entertaining, and add a delicious twist to your Thanksgiving celebrations. Let’s jump straight in… 

1. Thanksgiving Margarita

thanksgiving margarita

A margarita is my all-time favorite cocktail, so of course I had to create one for the holiday season! This Thanksgiving Margarita has all the tangy goodness of the classic but with a seasonal twist, featuring cranberry juice and a dash of cinnamon. Perfectly refreshing yet cozy for fall. I hope you love this one just as much as I do! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups silver tequila
  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup triple sec
  • 1/4 cup simple syrup
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • Cranberries and lime wedges for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a shaker, combine tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, and a pinch of cinnamon.
  2. Shake well with ice and strain into salt-rimmed glasses over ice.
  3. Garnish with cranberries and lime wedges.

2. Pumpkin Pie Mimosa

pumpkin pie mimosa

Take your classic mimosa and give it a Thanksgiving makeover with this Pumpkin Pie Mimosa. It’s bubbly, sweet, and has all the flavors of your favorite fall dessert. Perfect for Thanksgiving morning or brunch! 

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 bottle prosecco or champagne
  • Pumpkin pie spice for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Mix the pumpkin puree, apple cider, and maple syrup in a pitcher.
  2. Pour the mixture into champagne flutes, filling about 1/3 of the glass.
  3. Top with prosecco or champagne and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.

3. Cranberry Orange Prosecco Punch

cranberry orange prosecco punch

This Cranberry Orange Prosecco Punch is a sparkling crowd-pleaser. With bright cranberry and citrus flavors, it’s perfect for sipping between bites of stuffing and turkey.

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle prosecco
  • 2 cups cranberry juice
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup vodka
  • 1/4 cup simple syrup
  • Fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, orange juice, vodka, and simple syrup.
  2. Stir well and top with prosecco just before serving.
  3. Garnish with fresh cranberries and orange slices.

4. Spiced Pear Bellini

spiced pear bellini

For a light and elegant Thanksgiving cocktail, the Spiced Pear Bellini is a perfect choice. It combines fresh pear puree with warming spices and bubbly prosecco. Perfect for an afternoon toast! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe pears, peeled and pureed
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 bottle prosecco or champagne
  • Pear slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Puree the pears with cinnamon and honey until smooth.
  2. Spoon the puree into champagne flutes, filling about 1/4 of the glass.
  3. Top with prosecco or champagne and garnish with pear slices.

5. Thanksgiving Punch

thanksgiving punch

This Thanksgiving Punch is a boozy blend of apple cider, cranberry juice, and rum, perfect for making in big batches for holiday gatherings! 

Serves: 8-10

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups cranberry juice
  • 1 cup dark rum
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • Cinnamon sticks and orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Combine apple cider, cranberry juice, rum, orange juice, and maple syrup in a large punch bowl.
  2. Stir well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and orange slices.

6. Pumpkin Spice Martini

pumpkin spice martini

For a cocktail that’s rich, creamy, and full of fall flavor, look no further than the Pumpkin Spice Martini. It’s the perfect blend of vodka and pumpkin spice for a dessert-like drink.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vanilla vodka
  • 1 oz Irish cream liqueur
  • 1 oz pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 oz maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • Cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a shaker, combine vodka, Irish cream, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice with ice.
  2. Shake well and strain into chilled martini glasses.
  3. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

7. Apple Cider Sangria

apple cider sangria

This Apple Cider Sangria brings together white wine, brandy, and fresh apple cider for a refreshing fall twist on classic sangria. It’s crisp and fruity with sweet notes of apple and spice, making it perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle white wine
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1/2 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 apples, sliced
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, combine wine, apple cider, brandy, and maple syrup.
  2. Add sliced apples and cinnamon stick, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

8. Harvest Rum Punch

harvest rum punch

Packed with spiced rum and seasonal fruits, this Harvest Rum Punch is a bold, fruity cocktail perfect for warming up on a chilly Thanksgiving night.

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup spiced rum
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1/4 cup simple syrup
  • Pomegranate seeds and orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a punch bowl, combine spiced rum, apple cider, orange juice, pomegranate juice, and simple syrup.
  2. Stir well and garnish with pomegranate seeds and orange slices.

9. Pumpkin Eggnog

pumpkin spice eggnog

Why settle for regular eggnog when you can add a pumpkin twist? This Pumpkin Eggnog is rich, creamy, and full of holiday cheer, perfect for sipping after dinner! 

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

  1. Whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy.
  2. In a saucepan, heat milk and cream, then gradually whisk into the egg mixture.
  3. Stir in bourbon, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice. Chill before serving.

10. Fall Spiced Whiskey Sour

fall spiced whiskey sour

This Fall Spiced Whiskey Sour takes the classic cocktail and gives it a seasonal twist with warm spices and a hint of maple syrup.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz bourbon
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • Lemon wedges and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon with ice.
  2. Shake well and strain into glasses over ice.
  3. Garnish with lemon wedges and cinnamon sticks.

And there you have it—10 delicious Thanksgiving cocktails that will take your holiday celebration to the next level! Whether you’re a fan of pumpkin spice, fruity sangrias, or creamy eggnog, these drinks are guaranteed to keep your guests in high spirits all day long. Enjoy!