Our 11 Best Thanksgiving Cocktails

Kir Royale Cocktail

Here's a two-ingredient (crème de cassis and sparkling wine), low-alcohol cocktail that will keep you steady on your feet before the big meal. As LindaLMT explains, "Crème de cassis is a sweet, dark red syrupy liqueur made from blackcurrants. It's a delicious and wonderful way to fancy up an ordinary glass of Champagne. Champagne can vary in sweetness depending on the type, and the nice thing about adding crème de cassis is you can do so to taste. Start with a little and adjust accordingly."

Champagne Punch

Looking for Thanksgiving cocktails for a crowd? Here's a terrific low-alcohol punch that's perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings. Mix up a big batch of cranberry juice, pink lemonade, and limeade concentrates, add some white wine, club soda, and Champagne, and garnish festively with lemon slices, fresh mint leaves, and for some serious Thanksgiving flair, whole cranberries. "It's fruity, but not too sweet," says DPRYOR. "I've added more club soda to make it a little lighter. All ingredients can be adjusted to your own personal taste. Keep the punch cool with ice cubes or an ice ring."

Perfect Pear Brandy Sidecar

It tastes "like biting into the ripest, most redolent pear you've ever eaten," says c-biskit. But careful, this pear brandy-based cocktail is so delicious and easy to drink, it can sneak up on you. Shake up pear brandy, lemon juice, simple syrup, and pear nectar and pour into a martini glass.

Autumn Sunshine Cocktail

This bourbon-based cocktail is the color of autumn. Doc Simonson says, "I named this cocktail Autumn Sunshine because its flavor is bright, like the sun, but the maple syrup, for some reason, reminds me of burning leaves in the autumn. For a clearer, more pungent cocktail, stir instead of shaking."

Hot Cinnamon Apple Brandy Cider

Fresh-pressed apple cider is spiked with apple brandy and warmed through with an intoxicating mélange of spices. Break out your slow cooker to keep this cocktail hot and ready so guests can serve themselves!

Cranberry Martini

This is a full-strength vodka martini, so careful with the carving knife. Shake up vodka and cranberry juice with orange liqueur and a little vermouth and garnish with cranberries. It's a hit all throughout the holidays. "The cranberry juice mixes nicely with the liquor. It's a perfect smooth drink," Ed Grivner says.

Americano Cocktail

The Americano is a negroni cocktail without the firepower of gin. The sweet vermouth and Campari are more than enough, though — perfect for pre-dinner drinking, enticing the palate for the feast to follow.

Red Wine Hot Chocolate

"Chocolate and red wine are one of those things that go so well together," says Kim's Cooking Now. "Topping it off with a creamy froth and a sprinkle of grated chocolate will make you feel all warm and cozy inside."

Pumpkin Cocktail

When pumpkin pie isn't enough to satisfy your pumpkin cravings, this pumpkin cocktail is in order! "This drink tastes almost like a pumpkin nog, perfect for Thanksgiving!" says recipe creator SweetJ.

Pomegranate Holiday Cocktail

Pomegranate juice, vodka, orange liqueur, and club soda are garnished with fresh pomegranate arils for this refreshing and festive fall cocktail that isn't too sweet.

Cider-Bourbon Thermos Cocktail

Whether this goes in a thermos or not, this cocktail will warm you right through! Black tea is the secret ingredient here, combined with bourbon, ginger, maple syrup, cardamom, and spices.

More Inspiration

If you want more Thanksgiving drink ideas, check out our entire collection of Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes.

• Mulled Wine Recipes
• Hot Cocktail Ideas
• Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Drinks