Thanksgiving Batch Cocktails for Cosy Autumn Hosting

Thanksgiving batch cocktails keep your hosting game calm, confident and low effort, which is ideal if you’re joining the growing number of UK households who enjoy the cosy, food-forward vibe of this traditionally American holiday. Mixing drinks in big batches means you can hang out with your guests instead of shaking individual serves all night. One quick prep session, then everyone helps themselves. Easy. 

Thanksgiving batch cocktails are large-format drinks made in jugs or punch bowls, perfect for serving a crowd at autumn gatherings. Popular ideas include Apple Cider Punch, Cranberry Spritz, and Spiced Whiskey batches.  

In this guide, you’ll find batch cocktails for hosting that match the season, simple flavour combos that feel like the holidays, and smart tips for prepping everything ahead of time so you stay grounded and stress-free. Think apple, cranberry, cinnamon, pumpkin, pear, and all the cosy notes that taste right on the holiday table. 

Why batch cocktails are ideal for Thanksgiving (or any autumn gathering)

Batching Autumn batch cocktails saves time and makes hosting simpler and more fun from the moment your guests arrive. When everything is mixed ahead, you skip the constant shake and pour routine, which keeps you focused on your guests. Batch drinks turn a busy evening into smooth sailing ― everyone can just help themselves without waiting for you to build each pour. 

This setup works well for Friendsgiving tables and seasonal dinner parties, and anyone welcoming a lively mix of people. It also lets you scale easily, whether you need six servings or fifteen, which keeps the energy flowing around the room. Our selection of make-ahead cocktails works beautifully with autumn flavours. They’ve also been chosen because they hold flavour well, especially when they sit in the fridge overnight and settle into something steady and balanced. This is low-effort, high-payoff hosting at its best. 

PRO TIP! Mix the base the night before, then add sparkling ingredients just before serving to keep the cocktail light and bubbly. 

Also see: Pitcher-Perfect Cocktails for Your Next Big Gathering 

Best Thanksgiving batch cocktails to try this year

1. Apple Cider & Bourbon Punch

A gorgeously cosy autumn punch recipe, this batch drink brings cider and bourbon together in one easy crowd-pleaser. 

Serves 6–8 

Ingredients 

• 480 ml Apple juice 

• 480 ml Spiced cider 

• 240 ml Wild Turkey 101 bourbon (opens in new window) 

• 480 ml Ginger beer 

• 120 ml Grand Marnier (opens in new window) 

• 2 apples, thinly sliced 

• 1 orange, sliced 

Method 

1. Combine the apple juice, spiced cider, bourbon, Grand Marnier, and ginger beer in a large jug or punch bowl 
2. Add the apple slices and orange slices, then stir gently
3. Serve over ice. 
4. Use extra apple slices as garnish (optional) 

2. Cranberry Vodka Spritz Jug

For a bright and breezy Thanksgiving punch, mix up this spritz to bring tart cranberry and sparkly energy to the table. 

Serves 8 

Ingredients 

• 6 cups Cranberry juice 

• 0.5 cups SKYY Vodka (opens in new window) 

• 0.25 Fresh lemon juice 

• 4 cups Sparkling water (or soda water) 

• Lime wedges and fresh cranberries, for garnish 

Method 

1. In a large jug, combine the cranberry juice, vodka, and lemon juice 
2. Just before serving, add the sparkling water and stir gently
3. Serve over ice 
4. Garnish with lime wedges and fresh cranberries

Learn more: Our Best Autumn Cocktails to Try This Season

3. Pumpkin Spice White Russian (batch version)

A creamy choice for pitcher cocktails, this spin on a White Russian layers pumpkin spice into a chilled crowd pour. 

Serves 8 

Ingredients 

• 360 ml SKYY Vodka 

• 360 ml Coffee liqueur  

• 360 ml Pumpkin spice creamer or milk alternative 

• Optional: Cinnamon sticks, for garnish 

Method 

1. In a large jug, combine the vodka, coffee, liqueur, and pumpkin spice creamer 
2. Stir well to chill and combine the flavours
3. When ready to serve, pour over ice into individual glasses 
4. Garnish with cinnamon sticks if desired

DIY pumpkin spice creamer: Heat cream with real pumpkin purée, maple syrup, and pumpkin-pie spice in a saucepan for about a minute, then cool and pour into a jar. Shake well and store in the fridge for up to a week before using. 

4. Maple Whiskey Sour Punch

This is a bold autumn punch mixes whiskey, maple, and lemon into an easy-going crowd sipper. 

Serves 10 

Ingredients 

• 2 cups Wild Turkey 101 bourbon 

• 1 cup Fresh lemon juice 

• 1 cup Pure maple syrup 

• 0.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract 

• ¾ teaspoon Ground cinnamon 

• Cinnamon sticks, for garnish 

Method 

1. In a punch bowl or large jug, combine the whiskey, lemon juice, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon 
2. Cover and chill until ready to serve
3. Serve over ice
4. Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick

5. Pear & Ginger Prosecco Punch

A crisp Thanksgiving punch that combines ginger warmth with pear and Prosecco bubbles. 

Serves 8 

Ingredients 

• 1 bottle (750 ml) Cinzano Prosecco D.O.C (opens in new window) 

• 1 cup Pear nectar 

• ½ cup Ginger brandy 

• 2 bottles (2 × 200 ml) Ginger beer 

• 1 Pear, thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish) 

• Crystallized ginger pieces, for garnish 

Method 

1. In a large jug, add the pear slices, pear nectar, gingerbrandy. and ginger beer 
2. Stir to combine
3. Pour in the Prosecco and stir again, gently
4. Serve immediately over ice
5. Garnish with extra pear slices and crystallized ginger pieces 

6. Autumn Sangria

Thanksgiving Sangria is built for big groups, and this recipe is packed with fruit, cider, and spiced depth. 

Serves 10 

Ingredients 

• 1 bottle (750 ml) Dry red wine 

• 1 cup Apple cider 

• 1 cup Spiced cider 

• ½ cup Brandy or orange liqueur 

• ¼ cup Fresh lemon juice 

• 2 Apples, sliced 

• 2 Blood oranges, sliced 

• 1 cup Pomegranate arils 

• 3 Cinnamon sticks 

Method 

1. In a large jug, combine the wine, apple juice, spiced cider, brandy, lemon juice, sliced apples, blood oranges, and pomegranate arils. Add the cinnamon sticks
2. Chill for at least 1 hour to let the flavours mingle
3. Stir gently before pouring
4. Serve over ice

7. Apple & Cinnamon Mule Pitcher

A standout among autumn punch recipes, this mule pairs apple, cinnamon, and ginger for a lively group serve. 

Serves 8 

Ingredients 

• 360 ml Apple juice 

• 360 ml Spiced cider 

• 360 ml SKYY Vodka 

• 360 ml Ginger beer 

• 120 ml Fresh lime juice 

• 2 Apples, thinly sliced (keep a few for garnish) 

• 2 Cinnamon sticks 

Method 

1. Add the apple slices and cinnamon sticks to a large jug
2. Pour in the apple cider, vodka, and lime juice, then stir 
3. Add the ginger beer just before serving and gently mix
4. Serve over ice
5. Use extra apple slices as a garnish

Cheers, dears! Apple Cider Cocktails: Delicious Autumn Favourites

8. Cranberry-Apple Whisky Smash

This delicious cranberry batch cocktail blends Scotch whisky and fruit in an easy crowd-pleaser.

Serves 8 

Ingredients 

• 480 ml The Glen Grant Whisky (opens in new window) 

• 240 ml Apple juice 

• 240 ml Spiced cider 

• 240 ml Cranberry juice 

• 120 ml Fresh lemon juice 

• 8 Fresh mint sprigs 

• Apple slices and cranberries, for garnish 

Method 

1. In a large jug, muddle the mint gently to release aroma
2. Add the whisky, apple juice, spiced cider, cranberry juice, and lemon juice, then stir 
3. Chill until serving time
4. Serve over ice
5. Garnish with apple slices and cranberries

9. Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

A ruby-toned pick for Thanksgiving jug drinks, topped with bubbles for instant party energy. 

Serves 12 

Ingredients 

• 2 cups Pomegranate juice 

• 1½ cups Orange juice 

• 360 ml Apple juice 

• 360 ml Spiced cider 

• Juice of 1 Lemon 

• 1 bottle (750 ml) Lallier Champagne (opens in new window) or sparkling wine 

• Pomegranate arils, for garnish 

Method 

1. In a large punch bowl, combine the pomegranate juice, orange juice, apple juice, spiced cider, and lemon juice 
2. Stir and chill until ready to serve
3. Just before guests arrive, pour in the sparkling wine and stir gently 
4. Add pomegranate arils as garnish and serve in glasses with ice

10. Autumn Gin + Citrus Punch

Looking for easy Thanksgiving cocktails that look great on the table? You can’t go wrong with this punch recipe, loaded with citrus and a botanical lift. 

Serves 10 

Ingredients 

• 480 ml Bulldog Gin (opens in new window) 

• 480 ml Fresh orange juice 

• 240 ml Fresh lemon juice 

• 240 ml Sugar syrup 

• 4 cups Sparkling water 

• Orange slices and lemon wheels, for garnish 

Method 

1. Add the gin, orange juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a large jug 
2. Stir well and chill until guests arrive
3. Add the sparkling water just before serving and stir gently
4. Garnish with orange slices and lemon wheels

11. Cider Margaritas (pitcher-style)

An apple cider batch cocktail that brings tequila and spice into one smooth jug pour. 

Serves 8 

Ingredients 

• 360 ml Espolòn Tequila Blanco (opens in new window) 

• 240 ml Orange liqueur 

• 240 ml Fresh lime juice 

• 360 ml Apple juice 

• 360 ml Spiced cider 

• Apple slices and cinnamon sticks, for garnish 

Method 

1. Combine the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, apple juice, and spiced cider in a large jug 
2. Stir until fully mixed and chilled
3. Serve over ice in individual glasses
4. Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick

Mexican vibes: Festive Tequila Holiday Cocktails

How to batch cocktails perfectly

Batching drinks is all about keeping the flavour consistent while making prep easier.  

Start by scaling each part of the recipe evenly so the balance stays true to the original pour. The Mixer multiplication tool on each of our recipe pages makes this simple because you can adjust servings and let the tool calculate exact amounts.  

Skip adding ice directly to your batches — it melts fast and waters down the flavour. Chill everything in the fridge instead, then add ice only to individual glasses. If your recipe includes bubbles, add them at the end so the texture stays lively.  

Use jugs, punch bowls or Kilner jars that have enough room to stir, since shaking large batches isn’t practical. If you need to adjust sweetness or alcohol levels, do it slowly and taste as you go. Keeping everything cold without dilution is the key to a clean, steady flavour that your guests will love. 

BATCH FORMULA: Multiply each ingredient by the number of servings, then add 20–25 per cent water if the original cocktail is shaken.  

Serving tips for autumn cocktail hosting

Set up a self-serve drink station so guests can pour their own drinks without crowding the kitchen.  

• Add bowls of easy seasonal garnishes like apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cranberries and citrus wheels so everyone can dress up their glass.  

• Highballs, wine glasses, and heatproof mugs all work depending on the drink you choose.  

• Chill serving pitchers in the fridge before use. 

• Keep sliced fruit fresh by storing it in cold water until serving time.  

• Label each batch clearly so guests know which options contain alcohol.  

More inspiration: Creative Garnish Ideas for Your Cocktails

Make-ahead tips for stress-free hosting

• Most batch cocktails can be mixed the night before as long as you leave out sparkling ingredients.  

• Pre-cut fruit and keep citrus submerged in water to prevent browning.  

• Freeze cranberries or herbs into ice moulds for extra flair.  

• Store garnishes in sealed containers until serving. 

There you have it, autumn-loving friends! A whole line-up of amazing Thanksgiving batch cocktails to whip up at home. Discover more autumn recipes and sign up for our delicious newsletter to stay in the mix. In the meantime, visit the Wild Turkey (opens in new window), Grand Marnier (opens in new window), and SKYY Vodka (opens in new window) websites to stock up on your cocktail essentials.