Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, great food, and even better company, but no feast is complete without a few festive drinks to toast the occasion. This year, skip the standard wine or beer and surprise your guests with cocktails that capture the warmth and flavor of the season. Here are three Thanksgiving-themed cocktails that pair perfectly with your turkey dinner (and might just become a new tradition at your table).
Cranberry Bourbon Smash
This cocktail is as pretty as it is flavorful, a blend of tart cranberries, zesty citrus, and smooth bourbon.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 3 to 4 fresh cranberries
- Club soda (to top)
Directions
Muddle the cranberries and simple syrup in a shaker, then add bourbon and lemon juice with ice. Shake well, strain into a glass filled with fresh ice, and top with club soda. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a few floating cranberries for a festive touch.
Why it works: The tartness of cranberries brightens the bourbon’s smoky notes, making this a perfectly balanced fall sipper.
Pumpkin Pie Martini
If dessert cocktails are your weakness, this creamy concoction tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie in a glass.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz vanilla vodka
- 1 oz Irish cream
- 1 oz pumpkin purée
- ½ oz maple syrup
- Dash of pumpkin pie spice
Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg.
Why it works: It’s rich, indulgent, and perfectly captures the essence of Thanksgiving dessert, minus the baking.
Apple Cider Mule
This drink is a seasonal twist on the classic Moscow Mule that’s crisp, cozy, and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 3 oz apple cider
- ½ oz lime juice
- Ginger beer (to top)
Directions
In a copper mug filled with ice, combine vodka, cider, and lime juice. Stir gently and top with ginger beer. Garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.
Why it works: The ginger spice complements the apple cider’s sweetness, making this a versatile cocktail for any palate.
Enjoy Handcrafted Cocktails at Border Brewery
If you’re not much of a mixologist or need some inspiration for your Thanksgiving cocktails, come to Border Brewery! Customers love our espresso martinis, as well as classic cocktails. Visit us at 224 North Broadway in Salem, NH, to taste what our bartenders can whip up!
