Thanksgiving is all about family and friends coming together to celebrate the year’s harvest and reflect on what we’re grateful for.
Whether you’re hosting the whole family or simply attending, there will most likely be plenty of alcohol flowing in addition to your grandma’s famous pumpkin pie recipe.
Use this list of traditional thanksgiving drinks to spice up the festivities and help you get through the day!
However, For some, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones and reminiscing about days gone by.
For others, it’s about giving thanks for all the good things you’ve had in your life so far – including delicious food!
If that describes you, then be sure to include these traditional Thanksgiving drinks in your celebration this year so your guests can give thanks while they drink!
1. Pumpkin Pie Moscow Mule
You can’t say thanksgiving without thinking about pumpkin pie. To make this traditional thanksgiving drinks even better, we’ve created a seasonal twist: the pumpkin pie Moscow mule.
The recipe is simple and includes just three ingredients – vodka, ginger beer, and pumpkin puree.
In a tall glass filled with ice, combine two ounces of vodka, one ounce of pumpkin puree, and four ounces of ginger beer. Garnish it with a slice of fresh or canned (not sweetened).
2. Apple Cider Mimosas
The apple cider mimosa is a variation of the classic champagne mimosa. It adds a sweet, spiced flavor to the bubbly drink.
The ingredients are simple: sparkling wine, apple cider, and orange juice. Mix them together and serve over ice in a tall glass.
Garnish with fresh cranberries or grated cinnamon sticks if desired as you enjoy your traditional Thanksgiving drinks.
3. Pecan Pie Martini
Vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur. cream or milk, Tbsp of maple syrup or sugar, to taste, Tbsp of butter, tsp of vanilla extract, tsp ground nutmeg, whole pecans, chopped finely in a food processor or blender
Combine the vodka and Kahlua in a shaker with ice cubes and shake until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass, top off with cream, stir in the maple syrup or sugar to taste, and garnish with pecans sprinkled on top.
4. Apple Cider Prosecco Spritz
Apple cider and pumpkin spice make the perfect autumnal traditional thanksgiving drinks! Prosecco Spritz is a great way to kick off the Thanksgiving season by mixing apple cider, pumpkin spice, and prosecco.
And, it’s even more festive when garnished with a cinnamon stick stirrer. In addition to using it as a drink, you can also use apple cider as a base in other recipes like soups or stews.
5. Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy
Combine cranberries and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer for about 10 minutes until the berries have broken down and the liquid is slightly thickened. Remove from heat, cover, and let cool.
In the meantime, combine sugar, ginger, and cinnamon in a saucepan with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes without stirring or removing from heat; remove from stove top when the syrup has reduced by about half (to about 1/4 cup). Let cool to room temperature.
6. Apple Cider Old-Fashioned
Nothing is more traditional than apple cider, and this drink will be perfect to get you in the mood for Thanksgiving.
Here’s how to make an apple cider old-fashioned: Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour 3 ounces of bourbon whiskey on top of the ice. Add 1 ounce of simple syrup or sugar. Stir well until sugar is dissolved.
Add a splash of water to thin out the drink if desired (optional). Fill the rest of the rocks glass up to the brim with apple cider, which should be chilled beforehand.
Mix it all together by stirring, and then enjoy apple cider old-fashioned as one of the traditional thanksgiving drinks!
7. Pumpkin Spice White Russian Cocktail
You’ll need: 1.5 oz of pumpkin puree, and 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice. Add 2 oz of milk, 3 oz of white chocolate liqueur, and 3 oz of vanilla vodka.
Nevertheless, Stir all ingredients together until smooth and frothy. Pour into a hurricane glass and garnish with cinnamon whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg on top. Serve chilled as traditional thanksgiving drinks or on the rocks.
8. 3-Ingredient Pomegranate Ginger Smash
In a cocktail shaker, combine the pomegranate juice, ginger syrup, and club soda. Add ice and shake to chill. Strain into a glass over ice.
Top with a splash of seltzer water if desired. Add Gin-Gin Mule: and also gin or vodka. Remove from heat; add liqueur (optional).
9. Pomegranate French 75
Add pomegranate syrup, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass. Top off the drink with champagne or sparkling wine.
10. Pear Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe
It’s the season of festivity, and what better way to get in the spirit than to choose from one of the traditional thanksgiving drinks?
However, with a Pear Aperol Spritz Cocktail Recipe, you are covered. This easy-to-make cocktail tastes like a fall in a glass!
For this recipe, you’ll need pear nectar, Aperol, lemon juice, and club soda over ice. Combine all the ingredients in a shaker filled halfway with ice and shake for about 15 seconds or until chilled.
Pour into a coupe glass and top off with club soda to create foam on top! Garnish with a fresh slice of pear if desired.
11. Cranberry Apple Sangria
- Bottle of red wine
- Cup of sugar
- Lime
- Cups cranberry juice
- Apples (sliced)
- Orange (sliced)
- Tsp ground cinnamon
- Nutmeg, to taste
- Freshly grated ginger root, to taste.
Mix the ingredients together in a large pitcher and let it sit overnight. Serve chilled and enjoy traditional thanksgiving drinks.
12. Mulled Wine
A gallon of mulling spice cider, whole cloves, sticks of cinnamon, and cups of raisins. Fill your pot about halfway with water, add in all ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until the liquid reaches desired flavor. Add milk or cream if you want it sweeter. Serve mulled wine hot or chilled!
13. Hard Apple Cider
If you’re looking for traditional thanksgiving drinks to serve at your thanksgiving dinner, consider hard apple cider.
It’s easy to make and can be served cold or warm. To make hard apple cider, you’ll need apples and water.
You can also add spices like cinnamon or cloves to suit your taste. Moreover, you’ll need a large pot that can hold the number of apples you want to use, plus some water (enough water to cover the top of the apples).
Place the pot on the stove on high heat and let it come up to a boil, then reduce heat to low-medium and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed into the apples, about 15-20 minutes.
14. Pumpkin Spice Latte
When it comes to traditional thanksgiving drinks, there are few better choices than the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
The drink is synonymous with the holiday season, and it tastes even better when you are bundled up from head to toe in your favorite winter coat.
As we celebrate this time of year, let’s take a look at some facts about this delicious drink that we all love so much.
It was first introduced in 2003 by Starbucks as a seasonal item. Starbucks also released its PSL on Instagram Stories last year, which was one of the most popular posts they had ever created.
15. Cranberry Cocktail
Cranberries are a great fruit to serve as one of the traditional thanksgiving drinks at traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
They have a tart flavor and are easy to make into sauces, compotes, and cocktails. One of the most famous cranberry cocktails is Cosmopolitan.
To make this cocktail you will need ounces of vodka, an ounce of triple sec, an ounce of cranberry juice, an ounce of lime juice, and an orange peel. In a shaker filled with ice cubes combine all ingredients but the orange peel.
Shake well until it’s nice and cold then strain into your glass. Garnish with the orange peel then enjoy this refreshing cocktail on a chilly fall day.
16. Plain Tea
Steep black tea in hot water. Add sugar and ice cubes. Enjoy!
17. Spicy Tea
Add cinnamon sticks and cloves to your boiling water before steeping your tea bag in it. Then add sugar and ice cubes after straining the leaves out of the pot to cool it down. A spicier option that pairs well with sweet flavors like honey or lemonade.
18. Kir Cocktail
The Kir cocktail is a French apéritif made of white wine, crème de cassis, and dry white wine. It’s typically served in a champagne flute or coupe glass.
The drink can also be served on the rocks or shaken with ice. ounce crème de cassis .Ounces dry white wine (e.g Sauternes).
Combine the ingredients in a shaker over ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled glass and enjoy!
19. Apple Butter Old Fashioned
The apple butter old fashioned is a delicious and easy-to-make drink. It combines two traditional thanksgiving drinks flavors: apple cider and bourbon.
All you need are some basic ingredients that can be found at your local grocery store. However, this recipe is perfect for those who want to get into the spirit of Thanksgiving.
But they don’t have time or access to a lot of specialty ingredients or spirits.
- Cup apple butter
- Tablespoons brown sugar 1/4 cup bourbon (or more, if desired)
- Dashes Angostura bitters Cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)
20. Spiced Wine
The perfect drink for a cold fall day is spiced wine. It’s easy to make and tastes just like apple pie. To make this drink, you need:
- A gallon of red wine
- Sugar, cinnamon sticks
- Cloves and nutmeg.
Pour the wine into a pot, and add sugar and spices. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Then turn off the heat and let it cool for about 15 minutes before serving in mugs or cups with some whipped cream on top.
21. Mulled Cider
Mulled Cider is a hot apple cider with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The spices give it a warm, wintery feel.
For those who are gluten-free or vegan and want traditional Thanksgiving drinks for Thanksgiving. Still, it can be made with coconut milk instead of cow’s milk.
Combine all ingredients in a pot and heat on the stove over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve in mugs or cups if desired.
22. Traditional Pumpkin Spice Latte
This is an easy recipe for a pumpkin spice latte that you can make at home!
23. Hot Toddy
This drink is a great way to warm up and get your stomach ready for some food. The drink consists of hot water, lemon juice, honey, and bourbon.
The Toddy is a great drink for those who want something really warming traditional thanksgiving drinks but don’t like coffee or tea.
Plus, it’s easy to make! All you need is boiling water, lemon juice, honey, and bourbon. Mix it in a mug with a little bit of boiling water and then add the rest of your ingredients.
Once mixed together you can either drink it as it is or let it cool down with ice cubes before drinking if you’re not feeling so daring!
24. Wassel
This is a traditional drink in New England and Pennsylvania, and it’s often served as part of traditional thanksgiving drinks.
It’s made with hard cider, ginger beer, iced tea, and cranberry juice. To make a Wassel in your kitchen, pour two cups of hard cider into a large glass.
Add one tablespoon of freshly grated ginger (or one teaspoon of ground ginger) and stir until well combined. Add ice cubes or some cold water to fill the glass three-quarters full.
Finally, fill the rest with cold ginger beer or any kind of cola. Top it off with iced tea (use either black tea or green tea) sweetened with honey if desired and topped off with a splash of cranberry juice for color.
25. Eggnog
A traditional drink served at many thanksgiving celebrations is eggnog. Eggnog is a rich and creamy drink that can be made with either milk or cream, sugar, eggs, and nutmeg.
The recipe for eggnog varies from person to person, but the key ingredients are always eggs, milk, or cream and sugar.
The most important thing to remember when making eggnog is not to use alcohol as it will curdle the milk or cream.
If you’re looking for more of an adult traditional thanksgiving drinks that still have ties back to tradition, try spiked cinnamon whipped eggnog.
For those watching their waistline on Thanksgiving day this year, a lighter version of eggnog can be made with skim milk instead of regular milk and light cream in place of heavy cream.
26. Sangria
Sangria may be most closely associated with summer, but it’s also a perfect drink among traditional thanksgiving drinks for fall and winter.
Whether you’re hosting a party or just want something to sip while you cook, these traditional thanksgiving drinks will warm up your chilly day.
27. Cranberry Sangria
Mix together four cups of cranberry juice, one cup of orange juice, one cup of pineapple juice, one-half cup each of brandy and red wine (preferably a cabernet sauvignon), four tablespoons superfine sugar, and one tablespoon each of orange zest and lemon zest.
Add ice cubes and let chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving in tall glasses garnished with fresh cranberries or orange slices.
Conclusion
You may be thinking, There are a few traditional thanksgiving drinks on this list! and you’re right. But there are so many different combinations that you can make with these beverages, you’ll never get bored of the same old thing again.
Above is a brief overview of how each drink tastes and what you might want to serve it with. Now go forth and celebrate!
And if you like any of these traditional thanksgiving drinks or just want to explore new flavors, take a good look at the page for some new ideas. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
