Thanksgiving Cocktail Ideas – Thanksgiving is an occasion to express gratitude and celebrate, and special cocktails make this celebration even more enjoyable. Fruity flavors, mild spices, or refreshing drinks are everyone’s favorite at Thanksgiving parties. These cocktails taste great and make the atmosphere very festive. These drinks often include autumn flavors, such as pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, and cranberry.
If you want to serve something new to your guests, we have some easy and amazing cocktail ideas that will make your Thanksgiving even more memorable.
Thanksgiving Cocktail Ideas
Here’s a full list of 45+ Thanksgiving Cocktail Ideas — perfect for your holiday table or cozy gatherings:
Cranberry Cocktails
- Cranberry Moscow Mule
- Cranberry Margarita
- Sparkling Cranberry Punch
- Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour
- Cranberry Gin Fizz
- Vodka Cranberry Spritz
- Cranberry Apple Sangria
- Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Smash
- Cranberry Aperol Spritz
- White Cranberry Mimosa
Apple Cider Cocktails
- Apple Cider Mule
- Apple Cider Margarita
- Hot Spiked Apple Cider
- Apple Cider Old Fashioned
- Bourbon Apple Cider Fizz
- Apple Cider Mimosa
- Caramel Apple Martini
- Apple Cider Sangria
- Apple Cider Gin and Tonic
- Spiced Apple Whisky Sour
Pumpkin & Spice Cocktails
- Pumpkin Spice White Russian
- Pumpkin Pie Martini
- Pumpkin Bourbon Smash
- Pumpkin Rum Punch
- Pumpkin Irish Coffee
- Pumpkin Moscow Mule
- Chai Spiced Bourbon Cocktail
- Spiced Pumpkin Margarita
- Pumpkin Spice Sangria
- Cinnamon Pumpkin Hot Toddy
Warm & Cozy Cocktails
- Hot Buttered Rum
- Mulled Wine
- Hot Toddy (with whiskey and honey)
- Spiked Hot Chocolate
- Warm Apple Brandy Punch
- Spiked Chai Tea Latte
- Hot Mulled Cider
- Hot Bourbon Cider
- Warm Pear Brandy Cocktail
- Maple Whiskey Coffee
Wine-Based Cocktails
- Autumn Red Wine Sangria (with pears, apples, and cinnamon)
- White Wine Apple Cider Spritz
- Mulled Red Wine Sangria
- Rosé Cranberry Punch
- Sparkling Pear Wine Cocktail
- Thanksgiving Mulled White Wine
- Cranberry Rosé Spritz
- Pinot Noir Autumn Punch
Recipes for Thanksgiving Cocktail Ideas
1. Cranberry Moscow Mule Recipe
A festive twist on the classic Moscow Mule with the tangy addition of cranberry.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- ½ oz lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 4 oz ginger beer
- Fresh cranberries and mint leaves for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- Fill a copper mug with ice
- Put in vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer and stir very gently.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and a sprig of mint.
- Serve and enjoy!
2. Cranberry Margarita Recipe
A sweet and tart margarita with cranberry and lime flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 1 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- ½ oz triple sec (orange liqueur)
- Salt or sugar for rimming the glass (optional)
- Lime wedge and fresh cranberries for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- Dip the rims of the glasses in lime juice, then into sugar or salt (optional).
- In a shaker, combine tequila, cranberry juice, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and triple sec over ice.
- Shake well and strain into a clear, lime-coated glass.
- Garnish with a wedge of lime and some fresh cranberries.
- Serve and enjoy!
3. Sparkling Cranberry Punch Recipe
A refreshing and bubbly punch perfect for parties and celebrations.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup club soda or sparkling water
- ½ cup ginger ale
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Orange slices, cranberries, and mint leaves for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- All of the ingredients will be added to a large pitcher in cranberry juice, orange lime juice, and ginger ale.
- Put ice into the pitcher or individual glasses.
- Top with club soda or sparkling water to make a carbonated drink.
- Stir gently and garnish with orange slices, cranberries, and mint leaves.
- Enjoy!
4. Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour Recipe
A whiskey sour with a delightful cranberry and orange twist.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz whiskey (bourbon or rye)
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- ½ oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- Ice
- Orange slices and cranberries for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine whiskey, cranberry juice, orange juice, and simple syrup with ice in a shaker.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Garnish with an orange slice and a few cranberries.
- Service!
5. Cranberry Gin Fizz Recipe
A fizzy and refreshing gin cocktail with a cranberry twist.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- ½ oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- ½ oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 2 oz club soda
- Fresh cranberries and a lemon slice for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with gin, cranberry juice, lemons and simple syrup,,p and ice.
- Shake until cold and thoroughly mix.
- Pour into an ice-packed Tom Collins glass.
- Add a splash of club soda before layering up the last ingredient.
- Garnish with a slice of lemon and several fresh cranberries.
- Enjoy!
6. Vodka Cranberry Spritz Recipe
A light and bubbly vodka spritz with cranberry flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 3 oz prosecco or champagne
- 1 oz club soda
- Lime wedge and cranberries for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- Fill a wine glass with ice.
- And the glass will need espresso and Natal, I, a grapefruit is sweeter, after Russian vodka, you choose her.
- Add vodka and cranberry juice.
- Top with a splash of prosecco (or champagne) and club soda.
- Gently stir to mix.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wedge.
- Serve and enjoy!
7. Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe
A fruity and festive sangria is perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 oz brandy
- 1-2 tablespoons honey (optional)
- Ice
Instructions:
- Combine the wine, cranberry juice, and brandy in a huge pitcher.
- Sliced apple, orange, and cranberries should be added.
- If you would prefer a sweeter sangria, stir in honey.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of two hours, or let chill overnight to allow the flavors to mingle.
- You should serve it chilled over ice.
8. Spiced Cranberry Bourbon Smash Recipe
A warm, spiced bourbon cocktail with cranberry and citrus.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey (or simple syrup)
- 1-2 cinnamon sticks
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- In a shaker, add bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and honey with ice.
- Shake until mixed well and cold.
- Pour into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and fresh cranberries.
- Serve and enjoy!
9. Cranberry Aperol Spritz Recipe
A vibrant and bittersweet spritz with a cranberry twist.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 3 oz prosecco
- Club soda (optional, for more fizz)
- Orange slices and cranberries for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
- Add ice to a filled glass of wine.
- Add Aperol, cranberry juice, and serve.
- Add a splash of club soda if desired and top with prosecco.
- Gently stir.
- Garnish with an orange slice and fresh cranberries.
- Serve and drink at ease!
10. White Cranberry Mimosa Recipe
A light, refreshing mimosa with a white cranberry twist.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz white cranberry juice
- 4 oz champagne or prosecco
- Fresh cranberries for garnish
- Ice (optional)
Instructions:
- Pour white cranberry juice into a champagne flute.
- Carefully pour in the Prosecco or Champagne.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries.
- Serve and enjoy immediately!
11. Apple Cider Mule Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz apple cider (chilled)
- ½ oz fresh lime juice (about ½ lime)
- 3 oz ginger beer (chilled)
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: apple slices, cinnamon stick, or fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions:
- Fill a copper mug or glass with ice.
- Pour vodka, apple cider, rum, and lime juice.
- Stir to the top and gently combine with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a thyme branch for apple slices, a cinnamon stick, or a festive touch.
- Serve and enjoy immediately!
12. Apple Cider Margarita Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 oz (½ cup) apple cider
- 3 oz tequila (blanco or reposado)
- 1 oz orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- ½ oz maple syrup (or honey – optional for sweetness)
- Ice cubes
Optional for garnish:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Apple slices
- Lime wedge
- Cinnamon + sugar for rim
Instructions:
- Rim the Glass (optional): Put a small plate with cinnamon and sugar mixed up to rim the glass. Place a lime wedge in each glass and run it around the sides, then add it to the mixture.
- In an ice shaker:Apple cider
Tequila
Orange liqueur
Lime juice
In case of some maple syrup used.
Shake with ice 1015 sec. - Service: Put the prepared glasses into the ice. Using a strainer, pour the margarita mix into the glasses.
- Garnish: A piece of apple, and a piece of cinnamon, or a piece of lime ca,n ba e added.
13. Hot Spiked Apple Cider Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 star anise (optional)
- 2–3 thin slices of fresh orange
- 2 tbsp brown sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup dark rum, bourbon, or brandy (choose your favorite)
- Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
- Extra cinnamon sticks or orange slices (for garnish)
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, pour in the apple cider.
- Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange slices.
- Stir in brown sugar or honey for sweetness.
- Bake in the middle-low oven approximately 10-15 min. and do not boil.
- Take out of the heat and strain spices and orange slices.
- Stir in rum, bourbon, or brandy.
- Pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, or an orange slice.
Megan Sheley is the passionate voice and creative force behind Clean Meal Recipes. With over 7 years of experience as a Food Blogger and Recipe Developer, Megan blends her love for wholesome food with her educational background in Public Health to create nutritious, delicious, and approachable recipes.