12 Thanksgiving Cocktails to Celebrate in the UK
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In the United States, most families and friend groups have their own Thanksgiving traditions that evoke special memories. Generally, they involve lingering get-togethers with family and friends, always centred around a feast of tasty food. If you want to give thanks (even if you don’t live in the US) we suggest shaking up some fabulous Thanksgiving cocktails to share with those you love.
If you’re new to hosting turkey day celebrations year and don’t quite know where to start, here’s our go-to guide for the best Thanksgiving cocktails to make new traditions.
1. Kir Royale
This French Champagne cocktail (aka Kir Royale) is a New York City favourite and an incredibly simple cocktail to master. You’ll wonder why you’ve waited all this time to try one! To make, pour a dash of crème de cassis into a flute glass and top up with an imperatively dry Champagne to deliver a crisp, bubbly sip that’s laced with jammy blackberry. We give thanks to Canon Félix Kir, the priest who mastered this marvel in the mid-19th century in Dijon, France. Salut!
2. Apple Cider Margarita
Put a spin on your favourite Margarita and give it an autumn makeover. It’s apple cider season, after all, so they’re an obvious ingredient to add to all your fave autumn cocktails. To make an Apple Cider Margarita, pour your best tequila into a glass and top it up with tasty apple cider. Up the ante with your garnish and add a cinnamon sugar rim. Time to snuggle up around a crackling fire with friends and family and a glass of this winter warmer.
Read next: 13 of the Cosiest Warm Winter Cocktails to Enjoy by the Fireside
3. Hot Buttered Rum
Looking for a perfect fireside sip to enjoy with family before the Thanksgiving feast? The irresistibly warm and sweet Hot Buttered Rum cocktail has been a favourite traditional Thanksgiving drink for decades. To make one, mix a simple batter of butter with brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, then top it up with rum and hot water for the ultimate comfort sip. It’s the perfect reward after a chilly hike.
4. Pumpkin Spice White Russian
If you’re unfamiliar with a White Russian, it’s a delicious mix of coffee liqueur and vodka (opens in new window) swirled with heavy cream. Add an autumn twist of pumpkin spice creamer and a graham cracker rim to make an indulgent and decadent drink. This dessert sip is bound to become one of your best Thanksgiving cocktails to serve throughout the entire festive season. Finish it off with a dollop of whipped cream and indulge!
Learn more: 24 Easy Winter Cocktails to Warm Your Home
5. Mulled Wine
We all need simple Thanksgiving cocktails that are easy to ladle into mugs when guests arrive. If you are looking for something that’ll warm you from the inside out, Mulled Wine is the answer! This spiced cocktail is easy to serve a crowd and is a super popular sip across Europe in the winter. Simply simmer red wine, spices, brandy, fresh oranges, and a little sugar in a pot for up to 3 hours, and then serve in mugs.
6. Hot Toddy
Looking for warming Thanksgiving drinks that are easy to make? A Hot Toddy is an ideal drink if you want to let your crockpot do all the work. To make a batch, simmer a good bourbon with your favourite baking spices, along with a squeeze of lemon juice, and keep it warm in your crockpot until your guests arrive.
Stay cozy! 11 Best Winter Cocktail Recipes for Chilly Evenings
7. Maple Old Fashioned
Our favourite Old Fashioned gets an autumn twist of sweet maple syrup. Pair it with Wild Turkey Bourbon—it is jam-packed with vanilla, pear, and spice notes that blend beautifully with the rich golden maple, giving this cocktail full-out autumn flavours. For extra apple pie vibes, add a cinnamon sugar rim.
8. Apple Martini
As autumn is the season for all things apple, you need to try an Appletini! Shake up equal measures of vodka and cloudy apple juice with a dash of lemon juice for a sweet and sour cocktail. It’s a delightful antidote to any overindulgence Thanksgiving may bring.
Spice it up: 23 Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes to Spice Up Your Autumn
9. Aviation
Serving up all the glamour of a bygone era, an Aviation cocktail is so hot right now and perfect for those discerning gin lovers who are always on the hunt for something different. This turn-of-the-century cocktail delivers unusual floral notes with a crème de violette liqueur. A unique and tasty blend of gin, violets, cherry, and lemon, this lavender-coloured cocktail is sure to impress your guests.
10. Boulevardier
Another cocktail of the roaring twenties, the Boulevardier is a whiskey warmer that makes a perfect serve for Thanksgiving get-togethers. Just saying Boulevardier (in your best French accent) gives you all the Gatsby feels. It’s an unusual but fabulous combination of whiskey and Campari (opens in new window) that’s sweetened with a dash of Cinzano Vermouth Rosso (opens in new window). This sophisticated sip is a must-try!
11. Irish Coffee
Calling caffeine lovers! Irish Coffee is an easy holiday favourite loved by all! Who doesn’t love whiskey and coffee? Add a splash of whiskey (we’re partial to Wild Turkey) to your favourite cup of coffee. It’s especially good when sweetened with brown sugar and topped with cream. This is a perfect nightcap to enjoy on a chilly autumn night after all the spoils of Thanksgiving.
12. Cranberry Caipirinha
To make a Cranberry Caipirinha, you will need a quarter cup of fresh or frozen cranberries, half a lime, cut into quarters, a tablespoon of sugar, crushed ice, 150ml cachaca, and chilled club soda. Muddle the cranberries, lime, and sugar together until the sugar dissolves. Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour over the cachaca, stirring to combine. If you prefer a lighter drink, you can then top it off with some club soda as well.
You might also like: Snuggle Up with Our 20 Best Autumn Cocktails
There you have it – 12 amazing Thanksgiving cocktails to whip up this year. Let us know which one you like best! In the meantime, remember to sign up for our newsletter so we can send the freshest seasonal inspiration straight to your inbox.
