Festive Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes

 

The standard turkey-stuffing-pie meal is traditionally the centerpiece of Thanksgiving gatherings, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect those celebratory cocktails.  From pumpkin-infused classics and apple-inspired new favorites, there are plenty of creative ways to incorporate fall’s favorite flavors into festive holiday drinks.

 

Try one of these autumnal cocktails to get your Thanksgiving feast off to the right start.

 

Apples & Pears

When fall is upon us, we crave seasonal fruits like apples and pears. However, no need to whip up a pie or other baked goods to enjoy these festive flavors – just serve this delicious autumnal cocktail.

 

Ingredients

·       1-½ ounces apple flavored vodka

·       1-½ ounces pear juice

·       ¾ ounce agave nectar

·       ½ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

·       5 dashes Angostura bitters

·       Hard cider, to top (approximately 1 ounce)

·       Garnishes: apple slice; nutmeg, freshly grated

 

Directions

1.     Add the vodka, pear juice, agave nectar, lime juice, and bitters into a shaker with ice; shake until well-chilled.

2.     Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass over fresh ice; top with the cider.

3.     Garnish with an apple slice and a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.

 

Thanksgiving Margarita

It’s pumpkin season, so why not use it in a margarita? The additions of allspice dram, amaretto, and pumpkin puree give the classic cocktail sweet, nutty, and spicy flavors - perfect for sipping on the turkey-themed holiday. A ground-ginger-and-salt rim and a cinnamon stick complete the Thanksgiving flair.

 

Ingredients

·       1 tablespoon ground ginger

·       1 tablespoon sea salt

·       1 lime wedge

·       1-½ ounces reposado tequila

·       ¼ ounce allspice dram

·       ¼ ounce amaretto

·       1 ounce pumpkin puree

·       ¾ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

·       ½ ounce agave nectar

·       Garnish: cinnamon stick

 

Directions

1.     On a small plate, combine the ground ginger and sea salt. Rub the lime wedge along half of the rim of a rocks glass and dip the glass in the mixture.

2.     Add the tequila, allspice dram, amaretto, pumpkin puree, lime juice, and agave nectar into a shaker with ice; shake until well-chilled.

3.     Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.

4.     Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

 

Forbidden Fruit

Apple-brandy cocktails and autumn go together like turkey and stuffing. This "autumn in a glass” concoction is light and bright enough to whet your appetite for the season's most anticipated meal.

 

Ingredients

·       1-½ ounces Laird’s  apple brandy

·       1 ounce Pimm’s No. 1

·       ½ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed

·       1 teaspoon agave nectar

·       2 dashes Angostura bitters

·       2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

·       Ginger beer, chilled

·       Garnish: lemon half-wheel

 

Directions

1.     Add the Laird’s apple brandy, Pimm’s No. 1, lemon juice, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and Peychaud’s bitters into a shaker with ice; shake until well-chilled.

2.     Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice; top with ginger beer.

3.     Garnish with a lemon half-wheel.

 

Paper Plane

It may not be considered a traditional autumnal drink, but the orange color and Whiskey Sour-inspired flavor of this true modern classic make it a perfect Thanksgiving cocktail.

 

Ingredients

·       ¾ ounce bourbon

·       ¾ ounce Aperol

·       ¾ ounce Amaro Montenegro

·       ¾ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed

 

Directions

1.     Add the bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Montenegro, and lemon juice into a shaker with ice; shake until well-chilled.

2.     Strain into a coupe glass.

 

Apple-Cranberry Moscow Mule

Need to throw together a simple drink for last-minute guests? Try this simple autumnal twist on the classic Moscow Mule by adding a splash of cran-apple juice for some holiday cheer.

 

Ingredients

·       2 ounces vodka

·       1 ounce cran-apple juice

·       ¼ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

·       Ginger beer, chilled, to top

·       Garnishes: apple slice, cranberries

 

Directions

1.     Pour the vodka, cran-apple juice, and lime juice into a mule mug, highball glass or rocks glass filled with ice; stir briefly to combine.

2.     Top with ginger beer.

3.     Garnish with an apple slice and fresh cranberries.

 

Universal Fine Wine & Spirits specializes in rare liquors, handcrafted wines, and craft beers and offers exceptional pricing on everyday staples. Our staff has over thirty years of combined beverage industry experience and can help you find the perfect beverage to cool you off this summer. So stop by our store, call us at 727-937-8330, or visit our website to learn more.