I love to host Thanksgiving dinner. I always cook for the masses even when it is just my family of five on an average night, so Thanksgiving dinner gives me the excuse to go all out without feeling like I’ve cooked too much. Aside from cooking, coming up with and wow’ing my guests with one of my delicious signature Thanksgiving cocktails has to be one of the best parts!
Every year I change it up and try to do something outside of the box or just very fun, enjoyable and filled with holiday spirit and spirits…if you get what I am saying.
We aren’t big drinkers in quantity but we do enjoy a good quality drink every now and again. Creating spins on classics or finding a brand new cocktail recipe that is creative and also delicious is a win.
So I wanted to show you what is on the menu for my drink of choice for this year…and even years past.
My recommendation is to think of the preferred palates of guests or if you aren’t sure put out a short poll before your gathering.
Poll could include questions like…
- Pick your top choice alcohol (vodka, bourbon, rum, wine, prosecco)
- Pick a flavor (cranberry, cinnamon, apple, pumpkin)
- Pick a temp (chilled, warm)
This will give you an idea of what guests like and you could choose to do one or two signature drinks to satisfy your guests taste buds.
Delicious Signature Thanksgiving Cocktails
This year my husband and I have enjoyed Moscow Mules. They have so much big flavor and aren’t too boozy tasting. I like a variety of liquors but he typically sticks to just vodka and this is one vodka drink that has layers of different tastes. Not like your average, simple vodka drinks.
I wanted to take the average mule and bring some harvest holiday sparkle to it and this is what I came up with!
Cranberry Cider Mule
Ingredients:
- 4 oz vodka
- 4 oz apple cider
- 3 teaspoons fresh made cranberry sauce* or opt out for a splash of cranberry juice
- Cinnamon stick
- 1 can ginger beer
- Lime
- Ice
*To make cranberry sauce you will combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add in 1/2 of a 12 oz bag of washed cranberries. Allow to simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until the cranberries burst and cook down into a sauce. Allow to cool before adding into drink.
Directions:
- Fill a mixer about halfway with ice and then vodka, apple cider and cranberry sauce. Shake until mixer is ice cold on the outside.
- Strain mixture, divided equally, into two copper cups dressed with a generous amount of ice. (This should fill each cup about halfway)
- Top with ginger beer slowly, stir in with cinnamon stick and leave in drink if you’d like the extra spice.
- To keep things extra festive you can garnish your drink with a lime wheel and some fresh cranberries for show!
Bourbon Signature Thanksgiving Cocktails
Image credit: Half Baked Harvest
Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned by Half Baked Harvest
Spice Pear and Bourbon Sparkler by Bon Appetit
Bourbon Maple Leaf Cocktail by The Kitchen Is My Playground
Wine/Champagne Signature Thanksgiving Drinks
Image credit: Delish
Apple Cider Sangria by Delish
Autumn Aperol Spritz by Delicious Table
Harvest Punch by Instrupix
Orange Cranberry Mimosa by Recipes From A Pantry
Plum and Thyme Prosecco Smash by My Diary Of Us
Vodka Signature Thanksgiving Cocktails
Image credit: Vine Pair
The Marshmallow Mule by Vine Pair
Sparkling Rosemary Cider by Kitchn
Caramel Apple Butterscotch Cocktail by Aspiring Winos
Other Fun Signature Thanksgiving Cocktails
Image credit: Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons
Pumpkin White Russian by Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons
Boozy Salted Caramel Apple Cocktail by Mom Trends
Thanksgiving Margarita by The Soccer Mom Blog
Pomegranate & Purple Basil Gin Smash by Bakers Royale
Boozy Pecan Pie Cocktail by Kimspired DIY
A lot of these recipes can easily be turned into mocktails if you would prefer to have a signature drink without the booze involved or if you’d like to include the kiddos in your special toast!
Something that really jazzes up the drink is your choice of glassware and also what you garnish with. You can take a simple drink and make it festive really easily.
I thought I would include some of my favorite items to bring your Thanksgiving cocktail to the next level!!!
- Stemless non breakable gold rimmed glasses
- Stemless Champagne Flutes
- Thanksgiving Cocktail Picks
- Give Thanks Cocktail Napkins
- Glass Pumpkin Cocktail Dispenser
Some other ways to really jazz up your drink is to add berries or herbs into your ice cubes before you freeze.
You could try lemon zest or peels, bits of cloves, sprigs of thyme, cranberries or apple chunks.
The options are endless!!!
Of course it is Thanksgiving so the amount of food will be large but always make sure to have snacks to go with your drinks. The balance of consumption is crucial so that your guests can enjoy your hard work in crafting cocktails safely and responsibly!
You Might Also Like…
- 2 Peppermint Patty Drinks You Have to Try!
- Free Printable Thanksgiving Menu Planner
- Thanksgiving Appetizers You Don’t Want to Miss!
Love, light and a little grace…
-Olivia
Olivia Whalen is mama to three young girls who is devoted to creative learning, exploration and free range imagination. Olivia enjoys thinking outside of the box when it comes to preparing homemade baby food or meals for her family. She most enjoys allowing the little minds in her life to flourish and with that you will see her write about creative kid crafts, recipes that fit a family budget and keep everyone asking for more, tips and tricks for a tiny babe, and beginner homesteader fun! Some of her hobbies include gardening, hiking, reading, cooking or just basking in motherhood.