28 Thanksgiving Cocktails to Try Tonight

Published By: Debbie Luna
Last Updated:
October 27, 2026

Okay, I'll be honest: when I first started hunting for Thanksgiving cocktails, I figured the pickings would be pretty slim. Maybe a basic apple martini, a cranberry margarita, or some hot spiced something. Turns out, there are 29 ridiculously good drinks here that will carry you through the whole holiday season.

1. Spicy Blackberry Margarita Sour

This drink tastes exactly how the name sounds. It is a classic sour packed with the tart flavor of blackberries. But hiding just beneath the surface is a secret ingredient: fresh jalapeno slices! They do not add much flavor, but they definitely bring the heat. This cocktail is unlike anything else on this list, and I highly recommend trying it at least once.

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2. Toasted Pecan Old-Fashioned

An old-fashioned is a pretty grown up drink, and for the longest time, it was not my thing. It is mostly whiskey with some sugar and bitters, plus a splash of water to mellow everything out, so the alcohol is very prominent. It is usually the kind of cocktail you learn to appreciate as your tastebuds mature.

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3. Apple Cider Bellini

Bellinis are basically peach flavored mimosas. Both drinks use fruit puree or juice mixed with sparkling wine, and both are perfectly acceptable to enjoy with breakfast. What I love most about this recipe is the addition of apple vodka. It not only adds a little extra warmth but really helps boost that fresh apple taste.

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4. 3-Ingredient Pomegranate Ginger Smash

Since this little number mixes vodka with ginger beer, you could totally get away with calling it a pomegranate mule. Whatever name you go with, it is still incredibly vibrant and fresh. It relies on 100% pomegranate juice to deliver that big, bold flavor.

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5. Cranberry Apple Sangria

You have definitely had sangria before, but did you know it can make some fantastic Thanksgiving drinks? This festive recipe flips the whole idea of sangria upside down. It is packed with apples, cranberries, oranges, cinnamon, and cloves. You will use pinot grigio as the base, which has lovely hints of lime, pear, and green apple, and the final result is lip-smackingly good.

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6. The Fall Dark and Stormy

A Dark and Stormy is not usually one of the more classic Thanksgiving cocktails you see on a table. But this version puts a lovely autumnal twist on the traditional recipe. With apple cider, ginger beer, and cinnamon in the glass, it pretty much covers all your fall favorites at once.

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7. Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

I like a good whiskey sour, but I almost always mix mine with bourbon and orange juice because my sweet tooth is not a huge fan of straight whiskey. This version, though, includes some lovely sweet maple syrup, so it is just right for me. You can easily play with the ratio of lemon juice to maple syrup to get it exactly how you like it.

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8. Hot Buttered Rum

I love, love, LOVE hot buttered rum! If I could, I would happily sip it all fall and winter long. Honestly, it is just so warm, comforting, and soothing. It tastes amazing and even has some medicinal qualities to it. Whether you whip up a batch for your Thanksgiving table or just make one for yourself before bed, it is pure perfection.

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9. Pecan Pie Martini

I usually go straight for the fruity drinks with the little umbrellas, so creamy cocktails are not always my first choice. But this pecan pie martini completely changed my mind from the very first sip. I had no idea pecan flavored vodka was even a thing until now. Let me tell you, it is incredible when you shake it up with Irish cream, vanilla vodka, and heavy cream.

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10. Honey Ginger French 75

A French 75 combines gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and sugar, which basically makes it a fancy adult lemonade. Its name comes from the 75mm Howitzer field gun used in WWI, a piece of equipment known for its incredible accuracy and speed. This cocktail is kind of the same way because it gives you quite the kick after just a few sips.

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11. Cranberry Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is a classic Brazilian cocktail that has been around since the 19th century. Traditionally, it is made with cachaça, lime, sugar, and ice. This holiday version keeps all of that but throws in some cranberry simple syrup and fresh cranberries. The result is a semi-sweet drink that feels totally festive for the season.

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12. Earl Grey Tea Cocktail

With gin, lavender, lemon, and Earl Grey tea all in the mix, this cocktail is highly fragrant and has a somewhat perfumey quality to it. If you are not a fan of that botanical, floral flavor profile, this one might not be your favorite. Gin is super floral on its own, and when you combine it with lemon and lavender, this drink smells like a pretty bouquet of wildflowers.

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13. Cinnamon Bourbon Hot Toddy

Do not act like you do not already know what I am about to say, but I LOVE THIS DRINK! Seriously, the hot ones are my absolute favorites when the weather gets cold. It is a soothing, warming cocktail that is sweetened with honey and gently spiced with cinnamon. It looks, smells, and tastes fantastic, and it is completely impossible to resist.

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14. Chocolate Almond Autumn Negroni

Negronis can be pretty intense drinks. They are extremely dry and can even lean somewhat bitter depending on how you make them. This particular Negroni is no exception, but I really do like it. It features chocolate and almond liqueurs along with chocolate bitters, and they pair beautifully with the gin, Campari, and vermouth.

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15. Maple Old-Fashioned

A lot of people will stir a teaspoon of sugar into their old-fashioned to help cut the bitterness, but using maple syrup is honestly genius. The syrup adds hints of vanilla, caramel, and sometimes even prunes to the drink. If maple is not your jam, honey or agave nectar are great swaps too. It is a quick and easy recipe you will want to add to your Thanksgiving lineup.

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16. Cranberry Margarita

I will not even try to hide it, I am a total margarita fanatic. There is nothing more comforting to me than tequila with fresh lime juice and a dash of orange. I also love playing with margarita variations, from banana and blueberry to sriracha mango and even jalapeño. So there was no way I could make a cocktail list without one, and this cranberry version is probably the most Thanksgiving worthy of them all.

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17. Caramel Apple Martini

Are you the kind of person who throws on a chunky sweater and heads straight to the closest orchard? If so, I promise these decadent Thanksgiving cocktails are going to blow you away. Caramel apple is basically synonymous with Thanksgiving and the chilly winter months. So what could be better than getting those exact same flavors in a boozy drink? If you are craving the richness of caramel apples, absolutely nothing!

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18. Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy

Hot toddies are typically loaded with whiskey, honey, and a whole bunch of warm spices, making them the ultimate cozy warmer on a chilly day. This gorgeous version takes all that comfort and gives it a bright, fruity twist. You will use bourbon here, which is a bit sweeter than your standard whiskey. A small orange gets added to the pot to perfectly balance out the slightly tart cranberries.

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19. Pear Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe

We all tend to obsess over apples and pumpkins when the weather turns cold, but pear is just as delicious and pairs beautifully with warm spices. For this one, you will muddle a few pear slices with lemon juice, simple syrup, and vanilla extract to build that unique flavor. If you love this combination, you might even consider making a pear infused simple syrup next time.

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20. Spiced Citrus Mulled Wine

Mulled wine is the absolute quintessential Thanksgiving cocktail. It is warm, sweet, strong, and bursting with incredible flavor. Plus, it is super easy to make in a big batch, which makes it perfect for serving a crowd. Red wine is the base here, and I like to reach for something fruity to really complement the citrus notes.

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21. Pumpkin Pie Martini

No list of Thanksgiving cocktails is complete without the pumpkin pie martini. It is a total seasonal classic, and no drinks table should be without it. This one is sweet, creamy, and loaded with legitimate pumpkin pie flavor. Top it with homemade whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon, and you are all set.

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22. Kir Cocktail

I think this might be the easiest recipe on the whole list. Seriously, blink while someone is making this cocktail and you will miss the whole process! It takes mere moments to whip up, and it tastes incredible. Blackcurrant liqueur is so underrated with its lovely deep flavor, and it works beautifully for a more intense, cold weather drink.

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23. Spiced Pear Gin Fizz

The spiced pear gin fizz is easily one of my top picks for Thanksgiving sips. It is crisp and citrusy, with plenty of spices and a lovely pear flavor running through it. Add that spiced, sugared rim, and you have a drink that is completely irresistible. It also looks absolutely stunning, so it will definitely be the star of your drinks table.

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24. Pomegranate Mule

Looking for a fresh spin on an old favorite for your Thanksgiving drink ideas? You have to try a pomegranate Moscow mule. It is every bit as crisp and refreshing as the original version, but it comes with a tangy, fruity kick of pomegranate. It does not make the drink cloyingly sweet either. If anything, it might actually pack a little more of a punch.

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25. Pumpkin Spice White Russian Cocktail

This drink really speaks to the pumpkin spice latte lover living inside me! I cannot help what I adore, and I will pick flannel and pumpkin spice any day of the week. But this is not just pumpkin spice creamer tossed with vodka. It is like a frosty, boozy pumpkin spice latte, all thanks to the coffee liqueur in the mix.

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26. Pomegranate Ginger Sparkler

This recipe is more or less a pomegranate mimosa, using sweetened pomegranate juice mixed into sparkling wine. But that little touch of ginger in the mix makes all the difference. You will start by making an enhanced pomegranate juice using pomegranate juice, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, and ginger.

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27. Apple Cider Mimosas

I have been to plenty of bottomless mimosa brunches, and I almost always reach for blueberry juice in my glass. It never once crossed my mind to swap in apple cider, which feels kind of silly now. This tastes like sparkling cider that got a serious upgrade. The apple flavor is so much bolder, and the thicker cider mingles perfectly with the bubbles.

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28. Red Wine Pomegranate Punch

Just like mulled wine, this punch is absolutely ideal for serving a crowd. Make a big batch and let everyone serve themselves so you can actually enjoy the day with your guests instead of running to the kitchen every half hour. You can also feel free to toss in extra fruit. I used a bag of mixed berries and threw in a bunch of cherries to give it an extra fruity kick.

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29. Cranberry Martini

Martinis are known for being pretty intense and definitely not sweet, especially if you like yours dirty with plenty of salty olives. But cranberries are not super sweet either, and their tart flavors help keep this drink feeling true to the original spirit. This version also includes a splash of Cointreau, which adds a touch of bitterness while giving it a bright citrus lift at the same time.

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Debbie (Deb) started powerlifting and Olympic lifting in High School as part of her track team's programming; She continues to train in order to remain athletic. Inspire US allows Deb to share information related to training, lifting, biomechanics, and more.
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