25 Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes We Can All Be Grateful For

Harvest Punch
Photo: Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

Thanksgiving is all about being grateful. Of course, we're especially thankful for the food on the table. After piling roasted turkey, countless Thanksgiving side dishes, and plentiful pies on our plates, we never leave a holiday gathering any less than uncomfortably full. But there's one thing you should never forget to serve on Thanksgiving and that's an amazing cocktail. With these delicious and festive recipes, your drink menu won't be an afterthought. Don't settle for a cooler of beer this year.

Instead, step up your drink game with these incredible concoctions. From bourbon to rum and sparkling to spiced, these cocktails will get the party started. Serve up some fall flavor with our favorite spiked cider recipes, and ensure everyone gets a glass with big-batch recipes. Whether your family likes to celebrate Thanksgiving with brunch, football watching, or a formal dinner, there's a recipe here that will fit the bill. These are the best cocktails for celebrating with family and friends.

01 of 25

Thanksgiving Punch With Rum

Thanksgiving Rum Punch
Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living

This spiced holiday punch will ensure every guest has a good time.

02 of 25

Cranberry Sangría Punch

Cranberry Sangría Punch
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Fresh cranberries and Granny Smith apples take this cocktail into holiday mode.

03 of 25

Aperol Bourbon Fizz

Aperol Bourbon Fizz
Becky Luigart Stayner

If your family loves bourbon cocktails, warm up to this sipper this Thanksgiving.

04 of 25

Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy
Micah A. Leal

If Thanksgiving is going to be a cold one, warm your guests up with the comfort of an old-school Hot Toddy.

05 of 25

Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz

Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz
Peter Frank Edwards

This sparkling cocktail will be the star at your gathering.

06 of 25

Big-Batch Cajun Lemonade

Big-Batch Cajun Lemonade
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Citron, or lemon-flavored vodka, adds extra lemon tang to this cocktail that's sure to transport you to Cajun country in just one sip.

07 of 25

French 75

French 75
Southern Living

This classic cocktail will be gorgeous alongside a dressy Thanksgiving dinner.

08 of 25

Rum Swizzles

Rum Swizzles
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Tina Stamos

Whether you make Rum Swizzles for two or a big batch cocktail for a crowd, this drink is sure to shake up happy hour.

09 of 25

Cranberry Mojito

Cranberry Mojito
Photo: Iain Bagwell

This refreshing cocktail recipe proves mojitos aren't reserved for the summer.

10 of 25

Mississippi Bourbon Punch

Mississippi Bourbon Punch
Photo: Ralph Anderson

Muscadine wine stars in this big-batch punch recipe.

11 of 25

Retro Rum Punch

Retro Rum Punch
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

This retro punch has a short ingredient list and high yield—perfect for parties.

12 of 25

Ambrosia Cocktail

Ambrosia Cocktail
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Many Southerners serve traditional ambrosia at holiday gatherings, and this fruity cocktail is our new favorite way to do so.

13 of 25

The Chilton Cocktail

Southern Living The Chilton Cocktail in glasses ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Turn to this refreshing sipper that only takes three ingredients—vodka, lemon, and soda water—when you want something light after the feast.

14 of 25

Bourbon Bloody Marys

Bourbon Bloody Mary

Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Use a splash of bourbon to give this classic brunch drink a Southern twist.

15 of 25

Pomegranate Margarita

Pomegranate Margaritas in clear margarita glasses

Antonis Achilleos; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Toast the season with a brightly colored marg that has just the right blend of tart and sweet.

16 of 25

Classic Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Skip the bottled mix and whip up this classic to start the celebrations.

17 of 25

Bourbon Basil Smash

Southern Living Bourbon Basil Smash

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell 

Give a bourbon cocktail a mint julep twist with a basil simple syrup and lemon juice.

18 of 25

Bourbon Mule

Southern Living Bourbon Mule in copper mugs to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Made with bourbon instead of the traditional vodka, this mule has layers of flavor from ginger beer, lime juice, and fresh mint.

19 of 25

Spiced Apple Spritz

Spiced apple spritz in three glasses on tray

Frederick Hardy II; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Mat Gibilisco

Serve this seasonal cocktail just before dinner. The fizzy drink is made with sparkling apple cider, spiced syrup, and spiced Jamaican rum.

20 of 25

Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher
Becky Luigart Stayner

Serve this spiked tea as an adult beverage option to go with the Thanksgiving meal.

21 of 25

Bourbon Slush

bourbon slush - southern living

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Start with tea and frozen lemonade and orange juice concentrate to make this refreshing adult slush.

22 of 25

Vodka Cranberry

Southern Living Vodka Cranberry drinks ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Kick off the season with this festive and fruity cocktail.

23 of 25

Cranberry Old-Fashioneds

Southern Living Cranberry Old Fashioneds

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Cranberries give the classic old-fashioned an unexpected and delightful turn.

24 of 25

Cranberry Margaritas

Southern Living Cranberry Margarita in glasses to serve

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This cheery cranberry cocktail is a sweet way to start the season.

25 of 25

Harvest Punch

Harvest Punch
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey

This autumn punch is made for a large gathering, from game time to the Thanksgiving feast.

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