Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes to Be Grateful For
- Greene Olives Premier Beverage Caterer
- Oct 27
- 6 min read
Thanksgiving is more than a feast—it’s a feeling. It’s the comforting aroma of cinnamon in the air, the glow of candles dancing across the table, and the laughter that lingers long after dessert is done. This year, elevate your celebration with cocktails that embody the flavors of fall. From maple and bourbon to pumpkin and cranberry, these drinks are crafted to complement every course of your holiday spread—and remind you that gratitude is best served by the glass.
Hosting Tip: Save time and stress by pre-batching your cocktails in carafes or pitchers. Label each with a festive tag—like “Bourbon Bliss” or “Pumpkin Spice Delight”—and let guests pour as they please. It keeps the flow smooth and the mood light, so you can spend less time shaking and more time celebrating.
Apple Cider Mule
A crisp fall classic that’s sweet, spicy, and everything nice.
A refreshing twist on the traditional Moscow Mule, this seasonal version captures the heart of autumn in every sip. Apple cider mingles with vodka and spicy ginger beer, creating a crisp, invigorating balance that’s both cozy and bright. The cinnamon stick garnish not only adds aroma but also sets the tone for a festive holiday table.
Perfect Pairing:
The Apple Cider Mule pairs beautifully with your Thanksgiving starters—think baked brie topped with fig jam, butternut squash soup, honey-glazed carrots, apple-sage stuffing, and apple-stuffed pork bites. Its crisp acidity cuts through creamy textures, while the ginger adds a subtle spice that awakens the palate before the main course. It’s the perfect opening act for your holiday menu.
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
3 oz apple cider
3 oz ginger beer
½ oz fresh lime juice
Ice cubes
Cinnamon stick and apple slice for garnish
How to Make It:
Fill a copper mug or rocks glass with ice.
Pour in vodka, apple cider, and lime juice.
Top with ginger beer and stir gently to combine.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice.
Batched Ingredients (Serves 25):
1.5 liters (2 bottles) of vodka
2.75 quarts (11 cups) apple cider
2.75 quarts (11 cups) ginger beer
1.25 cups fresh lime juice
25 cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
25 apple slices (for garnish)
How to Make It:
In a large beverage dispenser or pitcher, combine the vodka, apple cider, and lime juice. Stir well and refrigerate until chilled.
Just before serving, add the ginger beer and stir gently to combine (to preserve carbonation).
Serve over ice in copper mugs or rocks glasses.
Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice.
Make-Ahead Tip:
Mix everything except the ginger beer up to 24 hours in advance. Add the ginger beer right before serving to keep it bubbly.
Cranberry Margarita
A tart twist on tradition — because Thanksgiving deserves a little tequila.
Vibrant, tangy, and irresistibly festive, the Cranberry Margarita adds a splash of color and cheer to your Thanksgiving table. With tequila, lime, and cranberry juice, it’s a refreshing departure from heavy holiday flavors. The ruby-red hue looks stunning in a salt- or sugar-rimmed glass, and the taste delivers a balance of sweet, tart, and citrus that delights guests with every sip.
Perfect Pairing:
The Cranberry Margarita was made to play well with Thanksgiving side dishes—especially cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, or roasted vegetables with balsamic glaze. Its tangy profile refreshes the palate and cuts through creamy or savory dishes, making it the ideal in-between sip during a multi-course feast. It’s also fantastic with spiced shrimp or smoked salmon appetizers for guests who prefer lighter bites.
Ingredients:
2 oz tequila
1 oz triple sec (or orange liqueur)
2 oz cranberry juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
½ oz agave (optional, to taste)
Ice cubes
Salt or sugar for rim, lime wheel, and cranberries for garnish
How to Make It:
Rim a glass with lime juice and dip it into salt or sugar.
In a shaker, combine tequila, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup.
Shake with ice until chilled.
Strain into the prepared glass over ice.
Garnish with a lime wheel and fresh cranberries.
Batched Ingredients (Serves 25):
1.75 liters (2¼ bottles) tequila
750 ml (1 bottle) triple sec or orange liqueur
2.75 quarts (11 cups) cranberry juice
1 quart (4 cups) fresh lime juice
1 cup simple syrup (optional, to taste)
Lime wheels and fresh cranberries (for garnish)
Coarse salt or sugar (for rimming glasses)
How to Make It:
In a large dispenser or punch bowl, combine tequila, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Stir well.
Refrigerate for 4–6 hours or overnight to chill and meld the flavors.
Rim each glass with lime juice and dip it into salt or sugar.
Pour over ice and garnish with lime wheels and cranberries.
Make-Ahead Tip:
This margarita batch can be mixed and stored in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance. Stir well before serving, as citrus may settle.
Maple Bourbon Smash
Sip slow, stay cozy — where maple meets mellow bourbon magic.
The Maple Bourbon Smash is the epitome of autumn comfort. Smooth bourbon, rich maple syrup, and a hint of citrus blend into a drink that feels like a warm hug by the fire. The sweetness of the maple is perfectly balanced by the orange’s brightness, creating an elegant yet approachable cocktail for bourbon lovers and newcomers alike.
Perfect Pairing:
This cocktail shines beside hearty Thanksgiving mains like roasted turkey, glazed ham, or herb-roasted duck. The caramel and smoky bourbon notes enhance savory, roasted flavors, while the maple syrup complements sweet side dishes like candied yams or cornbread stuffing. It’s rich, layered, and effortlessly elegant—a cocktail that feels like fall in every sip.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
½ oz pure maple syrup
½ oz fresh orange juice
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Ice cubes
Orange slice and rosemary sprig for garnish
How to Make It:
In a shaker, combine bourbon, maple syrup, orange juice, and bitters.
Add ice and shake well until chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with an orange slice and rosemary sprig.
Batched Ingredients (Serves 25):
1.75 liters (2¼ bottles) of bourbon
1.25 cups pure maple syrup
1.25 cups fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon Angostura bitters (about 50 dashes)
25 orange slices (for garnish)
25 rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
How to Make It:
In a large glass pitcher or dispenser, combine bourbon, maple syrup, orange juice, and bitters. Stir thoroughly.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to 24 hours) before serving to let the flavors meld.
Serve over ice in rocks glasses.
Garnish with an orange slice and a fresh rosemary sprig.
Make-Ahead Tip:
This cocktail tastes even better when chilled overnight. The flavors deepen beautifully, making it the perfect make-ahead option for large gatherings.
Pumpkin Pie Martini
Dessert meets cocktail — the sweetest way to end your feast.
A love letter to autumn desserts, the Pumpkin Pie Martini is indulgence in liquid form. Creamy, smooth, and warmly spiced, this cocktail combines vanilla vodka, cream, and real pumpkin purée for a flavor that rivals the best slice of pie on the table. Each sip is velvety and comforting, finished with a graham cracker rim for a touch of nostalgia.
Perfect Pairing:
This show-stopping dessert cocktail pairs beautifully with Thanksgiving sweets like pecan pie, bread pudding, or caramel apple crumble. For something unexpected, serve it alongside a cheese board with honey, brie, and dried apricots—the creamy pumpkin and vanilla mingle perfectly with soft cheeses and sweet notes. It’s the ultimate finale to your holiday feast—rich, elegant, and worth every sip.
Ingredients:
2 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz Irish cream or heavy cream
1 oz pumpkin purée (or pumpkin pie mix)
½ oz simple syrup or maple syrup
¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
Ice cubes
Whipped cream and crushed graham cracker for garnish
How to Make It:
Add vodka, cream, pumpkin purée, syrup, and spice to a shaker with ice.
Shake vigorously until smooth and chilled.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Top with whipped cream and sprinkle crushed graham crackers or cinnamon on top.
Batched Ingredients (Serves 25):
1.75 liters (2¼ bottles) vanilla vodka
1.25 quarts (5 cups) Irish cream or heavy cream
3 cups pumpkin purée (or pumpkin pie mix)
1.25 cups maple syrup or simple syrup
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
Whipped cream and crushed graham crackers (for garnish)
How to Make It:
In a large blender or mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, cream, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth.
Stir in the vanilla vodka and mix well.
Store in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (or up to 24) before serving.
Shake each serving with ice, then pour into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with whipped cream and crushed graham crackers.
Make-Ahead Tip:
Prepare the mixture in advance and refrigerate it. Shake with ice before serving to keep the texture creamy and smooth — avoid leaving it at room temperature too long.
Final Toast
Thanksgiving isn’t just about food — it’s about connection. Each cocktail here is more than a drink; it’s a memory in the making, a way to celebrate gratitude, laughter, and the beauty of shared moments. Whether you’re mixing up a Maple Bourbon Smash for dad, a Cranberry Margarita for the friend who loves color, or a Pumpkin Pie Martini for dessert lovers, every pour is a reminder that the best things in life come with a garnish of joy.
Stay hydrated. Drink Responsibly.
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