15 Best Thanksgiving Alcoholic Drink Recipes

Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food—the drinks deserve some attention too. Whether you’re welcoming guests, toasting with family, or just relaxing after a big meal, the right cocktail can make the moment even better. I like to keep my Thanksgiving drinks seasonal, simple, and easy to batch for a crowd. Apple, cranberry, pumpkin, cinnamon, and bourbon show up a lot in my kitchen this time of year, and these drinks reflect that.

This list includes cozy warm drinks, fizzy fall cocktails, and fun twists on classics—each one perfect for your holiday table or pre-dinner mingle. You don’t need any complicated ingredients, and many of them can be prepped ahead of time, which is a big win when the oven’s already working overtime.

Here are my favorite Thanksgiving alcoholic drink recipes to make the day a little more festive and flavorful.

1. Apple Cider Mimosa

A Thanksgiving brunch favorite in my house. It’s crisp, bubbly, and gives off total fall vibes without being too heavy.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz apple cider
2. 4 oz champagne or prosecco
3. Cinnamon sugar (for glass rim, optional)
4. Apple slice for garnish

Steps:

1. Rim glass with cinnamon sugar (if using).
2. Pour cider into flute, then top with bubbly.
3. Add apple slice and serve chilled.

2. Cranberry Moscow Mule

Tart and fizzy with a gingery punch—this one’s easy to sip and looks great in a copper mug.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz vodka
2. 2 oz cranberry juice
3. 1/2 oz lime juice
4. Ginger beer to top
5. Fresh cranberries and lime wedges

Steps:

1. Fill mug or glass with ice.
2. Add vodka, cranberry juice, and lime.
3. Top with ginger beer and garnish.

3. Spiked Pumpkin Chai

Warm, cozy, and lightly spiced—this is one I love serving in mugs after dinner. Feels like dessert in a cup.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup brewed chai tea
2. 1 oz spiced rum
3. 1 oz pumpkin spice creamer or half & half
4. Whipped cream and nutmeg for topping

Steps:

1. Brew chai and stir in rum and creamer.
2. Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream.
3. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

4. Maple Bourbon Smash

This is bold and smooth, with a touch of sweetness from the maple syrup. A great welcome drink for guests.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz bourbon
2. 1/2 oz maple syrup
3. 1/2 oz lemon juice
4. Dash of cinnamon
5. Orange peel and thyme for garnish

Steps:

1. Shake bourbon, syrup, lemon juice, and cinnamon with ice.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with orange peel and thyme sprig.

5. Apple Pie Sangria

Sweet, spiced, and great for a group. I like to make this the night before and let the flavors settle in.

Ingredients:

1. 1 bottle white wine
2. 1/2 cup apple cider
3. 1/4 cup caramel vodka or spiced rum
4. 1 sliced apple
5. 1 sliced pear
6. 1 cinnamon stick

Steps:

1. Add fruit and cinnamon stick to a pitcher.
2. Pour in wine, cider, and vodka.
3. Stir, chill overnight, and serve over ice.

6. Sparkling Cranberry Punch

This one’s light and festive with just the right amount of sweetness. I like to serve it in a big pitcher so guests can help themselves.

Ingredients:

1. 1 bottle sparkling wine or prosecco
2. 1 cup cranberry juice
3. 1/2 cup orange juice
4. 1/4 cup orange liqueur
5. Fresh cranberries and orange slices

Steps:

1. Add juices and liqueur to a pitcher.
2. Stir and chill until ready to serve.
3. Top with sparkling wine and add fruit just before serving.

7. Hot Buttered Rum

This cozy classic is one of my go-tos for chilly evenings. It’s rich, spiced, and perfect for sipping slowly.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz dark rum
2. 1 tbsp spiced butter (mix softened butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg)
3. 1/2 cup hot water
4. Cinnamon stick for garnish

Steps:

1. Place spiced butter in a mug.
2. Add rum and hot water.
3. Stir until melted and garnish with cinnamon stick.

8. Pumpkin Pie Martini

Creamy, sweet, and tastes like dessert. I serve this one when I want something fun and fall-themed after dinner.

Ingredients:

1. 1 oz vanilla vodka
2. 1 oz pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin spice creamer
3. 1 oz Irish cream
4. Crushed graham cracker for rim (optional)

Steps:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Rim a martini glass with graham cracker crumbs (optional).
3. Strain into the glass and serve cold.

9. Apple Cinnamon Bourbon Cocktail

This one’s smooth with a bit of a kick. The cinnamon balances the apple perfectly.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz bourbon
2. 1/2 oz cinnamon syrup or pinch of cinnamon
3. 2 oz apple juice
4. Apple slice and cinnamon stick

Steps:

1. Shake bourbon, syrup, and apple juice with ice.
2. Strain into a glass over ice.
3. Garnish with apple and cinnamon stick.

10. Mulled White Wine

A nice twist on the usual red mulled wine. It’s softer and pairs well with poultry.

Ingredients:

1. 1 bottle white wine
2. 1/4 cup brandy
3. 1/4 cup honey
4. 1 sliced lemon
5. 1 sliced apple
6. 2 cinnamon sticks
7. 3 whole cloves

Steps:

1. Combine everything in a pot over low heat (don’t boil).
2. Simmer for 20–30 minutes.
3. Serve warm with fruit.

11. Pear Prosecco Cocktail

Light, crisp, and great for toasts. I like this one to balance out heavier Thanksgiving flavors.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz pear nectar
2. 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
3. Prosecco to top
4. Thin pear slice for garnish

Steps:

1. Add pear nectar and liqueur to a glass.
2. Top with chilled prosecco.
3. Garnish with pear slice.

12. Cinnamon Maple Hot Toddy

When I’m feeling chilly and want something warming, this is my top pick. Soothing and full of fall flavor.

Ingredients:

1. 1 1/2 oz bourbon
2. 1 tbsp maple syrup
3. 1/2 oz lemon juice
4. 1/2 cup hot water
5. Cinnamon stick and lemon wheel

Steps:

1. Combine bourbon, maple, and lemon in a mug.
2. Add hot water and stir.
3. Garnish with cinnamon stick and lemon wheel.

13. Spiced Red Wine Spritzer

A lighter take on a mulled wine that still brings the fall flavors without being too heavy.

Ingredients:

1. 1 bottle red wine
2. 1/2 cup orange juice
3. 1/4 cup brandy
4. Club soda to top
5. Orange slices and star anise

Steps:

1. Mix wine, orange juice, and brandy in a pitcher.
2. Chill, then top with club soda before serving.
3. Garnish with orange and star anise.

14. Pumpkin Beer Shandy

A super simple Thanksgiving beer cocktail with a sweet-spicy edge. It’s great with appetizers or salty snacks.

Ingredients:

1. 1 bottle pumpkin ale
2. 1/2 cup apple cider

Steps:

1. Mix cider and beer in a chilled glass.
2. Stir gently and serve cold.

15. Caramel Apple Mule

This mule has a sweet finish and lots of fall flavor. The caramel vodka gives it a fun twist that always surprises people.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz caramel vodka
2. 1/2 oz lime juice
3. 3 oz ginger beer
4. Apple slice for garnish

Steps:

1. Add vodka and lime juice to a mug with ice.
2. Top with ginger beer and stir.
3. Garnish with an apple slice.