52 Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes We Can All Be Grateful For

By Mary Shannon Wells
Updated August 12, 2020
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Thanksgiving is all about being grateful. Of course, we’re especially thankful for the food on the table. After piling roasted turkey, countless Thanksgiving side dishes, and plentiful pies on our plates, we never leave a holiday gathering any less than uncomfortably full. But there’s one thing you should never forget to serve on Thanksgiving and that’s an amazing cocktail. With these delicious and festive recipes, your drink menu won’t be an afterthought. Don’t settle for a cooler of beer this year. Step up your drink game with these incredible concoctions. From bourbon to rum and sparkling to spiced, these cocktails will get the party started. Serve up some fall flavor with our favorite spiked cider recipes, and ensure everyone gets a glass with big-batch recipes. Whether your family likes to celebrate Thanksgiving with brunch, football watching, or a formal dinner, there’s a recipe here that will fit the bill. These are the best cocktails for celebrating with family and friends.

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Thanksgiving Rum Punch

Credit: Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

Recipe: Thanksgiving Rum Punch

This spiced holiday punch will ensure every guest has a good time.

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Spicy Bourbon-Citrus Punch

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Spicy Bourbon-Citrus Punch

This refreshing punch will be the talk of Turkey Day!

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Cranberry Sangría Punch

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Cranberry Sangría Punch

Fresh cranberries and Granny Smith apples take this cocktail into holiday mode.

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Cranberry Margaritas

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cranberry Margaritas

Margaritas? In the winter? With this cheerful recipe, absolutely.

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Aperol Bourbon Fizz

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Aperol-Bourbon Fizz

If your family loves bourbon cocktails, warm up to this sipper this Thanksgiving.

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Clementine Whiskey Sour

Credit: Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Recipe: Clementine Whiskey Sour

Your guests will fall in love with this fresh twist on a classic whiskey sour.

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Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch

This herb-infused cocktail has cozy fall flavors but is still refreshingly cold.

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Spiced Hard Cider Fizz

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Spiced Hard Cider Fizz

This fizzy cocktail is perfect for Thanksgiving because of fall flavor from spiced simple syrup and apple cider.

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Fizzy Cider Punch

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Fizzy Cider Punch

Replace mimosas with this holiday-ready cocktail at Thanksgiving brunch.

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Gingered Seelbach Cocktail

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Gingered Seelbach Cocktail

This pretty champagne cocktail is for your dressy Thanksgiving dinner.

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Hot Toddy

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Hot Toddy

If Thanksgiving is going to be a cold one, warm your guests up with the comfort of an old-school Hot Toddy.

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Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Cherry Bourbon Cheerwine

Southern-favorite Cheerwine gets party-ready with this fun cocktail recipe.

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Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Spiced Orange-Bourbon Punch

This holiday punch recipe has a high yield, so be sure you invite plenty of guests to help empty the punch bowl.

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Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch

This drink recipe was made to serve a crowd, so it’s perfect for a big holiday gathering.

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Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

Recipe: Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz

This sparkling cocktail will be the star at your gathering.

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Big-Batch Cajun Lemonade

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Big-Batch Cajun Lemonade

Citron, or lemon-flavored vodka, adds extra lemon tang to this cocktail that's sure to transport you to Cajun country in just one sip.

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Zesty Bloody Mary

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Zesty Bloody Mary

Leave the mix behind and impress everyone at your Thanksgiving lunch with this fun homemade Bloody Mary recipe.

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Sparkling Caramel-Apple Sangria

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Katie Jacobs

Recipe: Sparkling Caramel-Apple Sangria

Our favorite fall flavors are transformed into a big-batch cocktail with this recipe from entertaining expert Katie Jacobs.

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French 75

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: French 75

This classic cocktail will be gorgeous alongside a dressy Thanksgiving dinner.

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Rum Swizzles

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Rum Swizzles

Whether you make Rum Swizzles for two or a big batch cocktail for a crowd, this drink is sure to shake up happy hour.

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Bacon-Infused Bourbon

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Bacon-Infused Bourbon

We really don’t have to say much else to convince you to make this cocktail than “bacon” and “bourbon.”

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Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Big Batch Bourbon Ginger Ale Punch

Don’t waste time mixing individual cocktails on your holiday. Make this big-batch drink recipe and be done with it.

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Hot and Cold Bourbon Ginger Slush

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Hot and Cold Bourbon Ginger Slush

If your family likes everything with a hint of heat, this fun cocktail recipe has red pepper jelly and a touch of cayenne.

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Cranberry Mojito

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Cranberry Mojito

This refreshing cocktail recipe proves mojitos aren’t reserved for the summer.

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Maple Bourbon Smash

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Maple Bourbon Smash

We love using maple syrup in our fall baking recipes, so of course it’s amazing in a fall cocktail recipe.

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Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Bourbon and Hard Pear Cider Cocktail

This sweet, smooth cocktail features two types of homemade simple syrup.

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Big Batch Bloody Marys

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Big-Batch Bloody Marys

If you have a big family, this is the best way to serve Bloody Marys to a crowd.

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Sorghum-Cider Punch

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Sorghum-Cider Punch

This punch recipe tastes like fall in every sip, so it’s perfect for Thanksgiving.

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Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

The pomegranate ice ring makes for the most impressive presentation.

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The Southern Living Bloody Mary

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Mary Claire Britton

Recipe: The Southern Living Bloody Mary

You can’t go wrong with Bloody Marys at brunch or lunch. Don’t forget to check out our best tips for making your own Bloody Mary bar.

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The Corduroy Jacket

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: The Corduroy Jacket

Sparkling apple cider brings this pretty drink into Thanksgiving mode.

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