Thanksgiving dinner is all about variety. The holiday is a time to socialize as much as it is a time to indulge in tasty foods. These seasonal drinks are ideal before and after the big meal.

Thanks Given

Vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, and cranberry sauce are shaken with ice, strained into glasses, and topped with sparkling wine. A Thanks Given can also be garnished with a sage leaf and orange wheel.

Just Beet It

This drink is shaken beet juice, lemon juice, ginger juice, simple syrup, Mezcal, and Pimms. One tops a Just Beet It with ginger beer and a pinch of mint.

Fig and Thyme Rum Cocktail

Thyme simple syrup must first be boiled, steeped, and cooled. First, sugar and water get blended with a boil. Thyme sprigs steep for fifteen minutes. After the syrup is cooled and strained, one adds ripe figs. This pink drink blends the syrup and figs with light rum, apricot liqueur, allspice dram, and lemon juice. This cocktail is shaken, double strained, and can be topped with seltzer and garnished with a sprig of thyme.

Bourbon Pumpkin Smash

The drink’s primary ingredient is pumpkin spice syrup, made by boiling pumpkin puree, water, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. One can prep and refrigerate this syrup a week ahead of time. The pumpkin spice syrup, lemon juice, and bourbon get shaken with ice. The drink is topped with soda water and served on ice.

Harvest Moon

This orange drink is a blending of carrots, apple juice, lemon juice, and gin. Shaved carrots are garnishments.

Maple Irish Coffee

This hot drink is a mixture of hot coffee, maple syrup, and Irish whiskey. One tops this coffee with a layer of cream, made from heavy cream and vanilla extract. Cinnamon and shaved chocolate are optional toppers.

Warm Tea-and-Cider Punch

First, apple cider must be boiled and reduced. Teabags and sliced lemon must steep for a short time, and the drink is made complete with bourbon.

Autumn Fizz

Autumn Fizz is a mixture of gin, lemon juice, and agave nectar. These ingredients are shaken, poured, and topped with sparkling cider. Thyme and apple slices are optional garnishments.

These cocktails are sure to please your guests and if you happen to be looking for some cooking tips for your Thanksgiving meal, check out my blog: The Top Holiday Cooking Tips for a Perfect Feast.