Now that the holiday season is here, you’re probably spending a lot of time thinking about food and drink. You may be planning a big get-together with lots of friends and family, or you might be keeping it small and simple for just a few close relatives. Whichever way you choose to celebrate, with Thanksgiving on the horizon, you may find yourself scrambling to figure out your menu.
Cooking Thanksgiving dinner is a challenge, but it’s a fun one! Let us help you plan your alcoholic beverages for the Thanksgiving holiday with some of our favorite recommendations. There’s a little something for everyone on this list, so take your time, consider the options, and determine which cocktails are best for your upcoming holiday celebration.
Bourbon Apple Cider
Ingredients:
● 3oz bourbon, any variety
● 1-1/2 cup apple cider
● 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
● ¼ tsp cinnamon (or more, to taste)
● 2 tsp honey
Directions:
● Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
● Pour the bourbon, cider, vanilla, cinnamon, and honey over the ice in the shaker.
● Seal and shake for 20 seconds or until combined and chilled through.
● Rub additional honey on the rims of two glasses. Dip the glasses in additional ground cinnamon to coat the rims.
● Using a strainer, pour the drink evenly between two glasses. Do not add additional ice.
● Serve immediately.
Apple Mimosa
Ingredients:
● 1 bottle champagne (or sparkling white wine)
● 2 tbsp sugar
● 1 cup apple cider
● 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Directions:
● Use a fork to combine the sugar and cinnamon on a shallow plate.
● Dip two champagne glasses in water to coat the rims. Dip the wet rims into the cinnamon sugar to cover.
● Pour the two champagne glasses about ¼ full of apple cider.
● Top off both drinks with champagne until the glasses are nearly full.
● Optionally, you may want to garnish this drink with a thin apple slice. However, the drink is also very elegant as-is, and doesn’t necessarily need a garnish.
● Serve immediately.
Pecan Pie Martini
Ingredients:
● 3oz bourbon
● 6oz crème de cocoa
● 6oz rumchata
● ¼ cup chopped pecans
● 3 tbsp liquid caramel
● 3 whole pecans
● Cool whip
● Ground cinnamon
Directions:
● Pour liquid caramel into a shallow bowl or plate. Arrange chopped pecans on a separate shallow plate.
● Dip three martini glasses into the caramel to coat the rims, and then into the pecans to cover thoroughly.
● Add crème de cocoa, rumchata, and bourbon to a cocktail shaker, and then fill the rest of the way with ice.
● Seal and shake for 30 seconds or until mixed and chilled through.
● Pour the drink evenly into each of the three martini glasses and top with whipped cream.
● Finish with a whole pecan and some ground cinnamon on each drink.
● Serve immediately.
Apple Ginger Spritzer
Ingredients:
● 1 inch fresh ginger root
● ¼ cup honey
● 6 fresh sage leaves (and more for optional garnish)
● 4oz orange liqueur
● 8oz vodka, any variety
● ¼ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
● 1-1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice
● 12oz sparkling water
● Orange zest
● Apple slices
Directions:
● Add honey and ginger to a small pot over high heat along with a half-cup of water.
● Bring to a boil, and then let boil for 5 minutes.
● Add 6 sage leaves and remove from the heat immediately.
● Let the mixture cool, and then remove the ginger and sage pieces.
● Once the syrup is cooled, add it to a pitcher along with the orange liqueur, vodka, lemon juice, and apple cider (or juice).
● Chill at least 3 hours or overnight.
● Add sparkling water to the punch mixture and stir well to combine.
● Serve garnished with orange zest and apple slices optionally.
● Enjoy this drink chilled.
Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
● 6oz hot black coffee, freshly brewed
● 2 tbsp maple syrup (more or less is okay, depending on desired sweetness)
● 1-1/2 oz Irish whiskey of choice
● ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
● ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
● Shaved dark chocolate
● Ground cinnamon
Directions:
● Place the coffee in a coffee mug and add the maple syrup. Stir until the syrup is dissolved in the coffee.
● In a cocktail shaker, combine whipping cream and vanilla extract.
● Seal the shaker and shake for 2 minutes, or until soft peaks form.
● Top the coffee with a scoop of fresh vanilla whipped cream and garnish with shaved chocolate and cinnamon.
● Serve warm.
Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mule
Ingredients:
● ¼ cup apple cider
● ½ cup pumpkin pie flavored vodka
● 12oz ginger beer (or substitute ginger ale for a less boozy variation)
● Cinnamon sticks
● Pumpkin pie spice, ground
Directions:
● Fill two copper mule mugs with ice to the rim.
● Add equal parts apple cider and vodka to both mugs evenly.
● Top both mugs with ginger beer until they are filled.
● Optionally, stir gently to combine; this is not required, but it may improve the flavor of the drink when you first serve it. Do not over-stir.
● Garnish the drinks with a cinnamon stick and some ground pumpkin pie spice sprinkled on top.
● Serve immediately, before the ice begins to melt.
With so many delicious cocktails to choose from, you may have trouble narrowing down the options and picking just one or two! Depending on how many people you’ll be serving at your party or dinner, you might want to make several cocktail variations so your guests can choose the one they’d like the best. Of course, there’s also nothing wrong with just picking one and making sure it’s perfect before serving it to your friends and family members.
There are a lot of ways to go about preparing Thanksgiving cocktails. Just remember to gather all your ingredients ahead of time, make a practice round or two to ensure you’ve got the proportions and ingredients correct, and don’t be afraid to do a little taste testing, too! In no time, you’ll have the perfect cocktail for your Thanksgiving dinner, and you’ll be sure to wow all your guests with the delicious flavors and fun drink options.
