All the festive Thanksgiving cocktails your heart desires! Your Turkey Day menu may be ready, but don’t forget the drinks. Whether you want warm spiked ciders, cozy hot toddies, or bright, chilled cocktails, these ideas will help you serve delicious beverages for every moment of the holiday.
From mulled wine and spiked apple cider to hard toddies and refreshing sparkling cocktails, this roundup gathers easy Thanksgiving drinks you can make for family gatherings, Friendsgiving, or holiday brunches.
Our Favorite Thanksgiving Drinks
Once the menu is set, choose drinks that complement the meal. Every Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving deserves thoughtfully paired beverages — from signature cocktails served in large batches to quick, single-serve sips that come together in minutes.
Thanksgiving Cocktail Accessories
Add a festive touch with accessories: enamel or ceramic mugs for hot spiked cider, copper mugs for Moscow Mules, and a few pretty garnishes like cinnamon sticks, orange twists, or sugared rosemary sprigs. Small details make holiday drinks feel special.
Best Spirits to Stock Up On
These versatile spirits cover most holiday cocktails. Keep a few of each on hand so you can mix a variety of drinks:
- Vodka — neutral base for chilled cocktails and brunch drinks.
- Baileys — great added to coffee or hot chocolate for dessert drinks.
- Red wine — drink on its own, use in mulled wine or sangria.
- White rum — light and tropical, excellent for cold cocktails.
- Champagne or sparkling wine — perfect on its own or paired with apple cider.
- Fireball (cinnamon whisky) — fun for shots or warming toddies.
- Whisky — great in hot chocolate, toddies, and spiced drinks.
- Amaretto — brings a silky, nutty sweetness to coffee or hot chocolate.
Hot Drinks
Warm drinks are a must for crisp fall weather. Here are crowd-pleasing hot cocktails and cozy nonalcoholic options to keep guests comfortable.
Festive Hot Toddies
Featured alcohol: Fireball (cinnamon whisky)
A hot toddy blends cinnamon whiskey, apple cider, and citrus for a warming winter cocktail. It’s easy to batch for a party or make as a single comforting mug.
Spiked Apple Cider
Featured alcohol: whisky or rum
Spiked apple cider is a fall staple. Make a large pot for guests or serve individual mugs—add whisky or rum depending on your flavor preference.
Dairy-Free Spiked Hot Chocolate
Featured alcohol: Amaretto
Dairy-free hot chocolate made with almond milk and a touch of maple syrup gets a grown-up finish with amaretto — creamy and comforting without dairy.
Spiced Raspberry Mulled Wine
Featured alcohol: red wine
A fragrant mulled wine with raspberries, warm spices, and citrus is effortless to simmer on the stove and serves a crowd with holiday aroma and flavor.
Decadent Spiced Coconut Hot Chocolate
Featured alcohol: optional
This rich hot chocolate is made with full-fat coconut milk, warming spices, and maple syrup — vegan and paleo-friendly. Add a splash of your favorite liqueur if you like.
More of our favorite ideas
Festive Friendsgiving Ideas
Planning a Friendsgiving? Put together a beautiful spread with easy recipes and crowd-pleasing finger foods to complement these drinks.
Chilled Thanksgiving Cocktails
For brunch, aperitifs, or a bright palate cleanser before dinner, chilled cocktails are ideal. Here are versatile favorites that are easy to scale for a crowd.
Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail
Featured alcohol: Champagne or sparkling wine
A two-ingredient cocktail that’s festive and simple: chilled apple cider paired with sparkling wine makes a perfectly balanced toast for holiday gatherings.
Thanksgiving Cocktails: Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail
One of our go-to Thanksgiving drinks: combine equal parts chilled apple cider and chilled champagne in flutes. For an optional sugared rim, mix brown sugar and turbinado sugar, wet the glass rim, and dip briefly.
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 2 cups chilled apple cider (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups chilled champagne or sparkling wine
- Optional: 1 tablespoon brown sugar + 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar for rimming
Instructions
- Mix brown sugar and turbinado sugar on a small plate if using a sugared rim.
- Moisten the rim of each champagne flute and dip into the sugar mixture to coat.
- Pour 1/2 cup apple cider into each flute, then top with 1/2 cup champagne. Serve immediately.
Nutrition (approximate): 137 kcal per serving; 23 g carbs; 25 g sugar. Values are estimates.
Rosemary Vodka Collins
Featured alcohol: vodka
A seasonal spin on the classic Collins: rosemary simple syrup and fresh lemon juice brighten vodka for a surprisingly refreshing holiday cocktail.
Cranberry Mojitos
Featured alcohol: white rum
Cranberry mojitos add a festive red accent and fresh mint to a classic rum cocktail — a show-stopping option for holiday entertaining.
Easy Red Wine Sangria
Featured alcohol: red wine and optional rum
Red wine sangria with citrus slices and a touch of orange juice is an easy make-ahead option that tastes better after a few hours of chilling.
Bloody Mary
Featured alcohol: vodka
A savory Bloody Mary is the perfect pair for holiday brunch. Make it from scratch to control the spice and garnish with pickles, olives, and charcuterie skewers.
Blackberry Moscow Mules
Featured alcohol: vodka
Blackberry Moscow Mules add fruit flavor to a classic mule — quick to make and always crowd-pleasing.
Honey Greyhound Cocktail
Featured alcohol: vodka
This cocktail mixes vodka with grapefruit juice and a touch of honey for a refreshing, naturally sweet drink that’s ideal for holiday gatherings.
Classic Moscow Mules
Featured alcohol: vodka
With only three ingredients — vodka, ginger beer, and lime — classic Moscow Mules are simple, fizzy, and easy to scale for a party.
Beermosa
Featured alcohol: beer
Switch out champagne for beer in a Beermosa for a casual brunch option — beer plus orange juice makes an easy, festive drink.
Get all cold beverage recipes in the beverages section of the site for more ideas.
Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Drinks
Not every holiday drink needs alcohol. These non-alcoholic choices are flavorful and festive — perfect for kids, designated drivers, or anyone wanting lighter options.
Fruit-Infused Water
Four fruit-infused water recipes add bright flavor to plain water — try pomegranate-juice ice cubes for bursts of color and taste.
Almond Milk Chai Tea Latte
A warming almond milk chai latte is antioxidant-rich and satisfying — a great caffeine boost that works for breakfast or a cozy afternoon break.
Vegan Chai Hot Chocolate
Ready in five minutes, this vegan chai hot chocolate is creamy, low-calorie, and full of warming spice — a quick and comforting holiday treat.
Maple Pecan Latte
A DIY maple pecan latte made with cold brew and almond creamer delivers coffeehouse flavor at home without an espresso machine — perfect for holiday mornings.
Whether you prefer warm, spiced drinks or bright, bubbly cocktails, this collection of Thanksgiving drinks has options for every guest and every course. Mix, match, and enjoy responsibly — cheers to a festive and delicious holiday!