Thanksgiving is known as a festival for food, and there's no better to way to get in the holiday spirit than by serving up some great spirited drinks. So check out our holiday hack list of easy-to-make Thanksgiving cocktails to serve this year.
Caramel Appletini
The hostess with the mostess should certainly mix up a signature holiday martini for their Thanksgiving feast. Take the childhood nostalgia of the smell of warm apple pie and put an adult twist on it with the Caramel Appletini.
This is no regular apple martini. Use 1 oz. Baileys Caramel Irish Cream and 1/2 oz. Smirnoff Green Apple Flavored Vodka to give a fresh spin on a classic drink. Shake alcohol and pour into martini glass before garnishing with a slice of apple and caramel drizzle.
Cranberry Cocktail
When it's time for appetizers, it might as well be time to start the drinking. Start off with a light and fruity cocktail inspired by a Thanksgiving staple and the toasty warm essence of the holidays, Martha Stewart's Cranberry Cocktail.
This beverage includes 2 cups of red wine (think Pinot Noir), 1 cup pure maple, syrup, 1/2 cup brown sugar, vanilla and of course, cranberries. You will have to bake cranberries while boiling other ingredients, so make sure you save time for preparation. You can also garnish this cocktail with Santa decorations to serve throughout the holidays.
Apple Cider Margarita
No drink makes us happier during happy hour than a margarita. While your guests enjoy finger foods, it's the perfect time to introduce another festive beverage. Spice things up before the anticipated dinner with Apple Cider Margaritas.
In a cocktail shaker, add 6 oz. apple cider, 4 oz. silver tequila, 2 oz. triple sec and juice from 1 lime. Sprinkle in a pinch of brown sugar, shake and serve with an apple slice or cinnamon stick garnish.
Perfect Pear Cocktail
Turkey time calls for a drink that will cause a taste bud explosion. What better drink to sip alongside your family dinner than the Perfect Pear Cocktail: Bacon Edition.
Bake bacon strips sprinkled with 2 tbsp. of brown sugar at 325 degrees F until crispy. Mix together 1 1.2 oz. rum, 3 1/2 oz. pear nectar, 1 tsp fresh lemon juice, 3 drops old fashion bitters and a pinch of salt in a cocktail shaker and serve over ice. Garnish with the sweet and savory bacon strips.
Pinot Punch
Pour the perfect cocktail for Pinot lovers with the Pinot Punch. This drink is great to sip on during the main meal and the ideal drink for wine lovers to enjoy throughout the festivities.
Combine 2 oz. Pinot Grigio, 1/2 oz. pomegranate juice and 3/4 oz. brown sugar syrup into an ice shaker. Pour into glasses and garnish with muddled cranberries and sage leaves.
Smashing Pumpkin
Halloween may be over, but pumpkin won't be excluded from the Thanksgiving menu this year. This cocktail is the perfect choice for pumpkin-loving guests.
To make the Smashing Pumpkin, pour 2 oz Stoli Vanil, 1 tbsp. pumpkin puree, 1 oz. cream and 1 tsp. simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Pour over ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Eggnog (Coqutio)
Where would the holidays be without some eggnog? A staple for Thanksgiving, this recipe follows a Puerto Rican version called Coquito.
Coqutio is part of the Puerto Rican tradition where carolers visit neighbors leading up to Christmas Eve. The carolers are greeted with the frothy drink spiked with rum. To make this spin on eggnog, beat 12 oz evaporated milk and 2 large eggs and simmer over medium heat. After it cools, pour mix into blender with 13 oz. coconut milk, 12 oz. of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup white rum, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Let it refrigerate in a pitcher before serving.
Shoot a Wild Turkey
This cocktail will be a crowd pleaser, especially among the Wild Turkey drinkers. Not only does this drink have a fun name, but it also includes marshmallows!
To make the Shoot a Wild Turkey, add 2 oz. Wild Turkey, 1 oz. butterscotch schnapps, 1/2 cup canned sweet potatoes and 1 tsp nutmeg into a blender. Pour the smooth liquid into shooter glasses (this will serve 2) and garnish with mini marshmallows. Take this as a shot in one gooble gulp.
Apple-Brandy Hot Toddies
If the weather outside is frightful, then it's time for a delightful and warm alcoholic beverage. Keeping to the fall theme, this hot toddy is a remix on an easy-to-make beverage.
A hot toddy is a shot or two of any strong spirit added to a hot water. For this drink, boil 1 1/2 cups of water, stir in 2 tbsp. honey and then stir in 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and 2 cups of apple brandy (try Calvados). Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve hot in a mug.
Hoppin' Hot Scotch
You may feel as stuffed as the turkey after eating healthy portions of your favorite home-cooked holiday foods, but before you know it, it's time to whip out that dessert. Don't stop the drinking festivities or miss out on the sugar, just try this holiday drink specialty, the Hoppin' Hot Scotch.
Think of it as the grown-up version of hot chocolate. All you need is 2 oz. of butterscotch schnapps, 8 oz. of hot chocolate (using water or milk) and 1/2 oz. amaretto. Spike the hot chocolate with the schnapps and add whipped cream on top. We guarantee this hot chocolate will hit the spot.
Now that you know everything there is to know about Thanksgiving cocktails, head over here to read about our favorite Thanksgiving cooking hacks.
