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Whether you're sipping to celebrate or just to steel your nerves against great aunt Edna, these festive Thanksgiving cocktails will get you in the spirit. From mulled wine to warming hot toddies, big-batch punches , fizzy cranberry cocktails, and bourbon and whiskey classics, this list of cocktails is your fall-flavored secret to being the host with the absolute most this year. And like our best Thanksgiving recipes , there’s something for everyone. We’re talking about the apple cider spritz that’s just a little fancy. The make-your-own-Martini bar that’ll keep your guests from fussing in the kitchen. And the creamy (low proof!) coconut-hibiscus cocktail you can sip all night. Read on for our best Thanksgiving cocktails—and don’t forget the appetizers !

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  Alex Lau

  1/37

  Spiced Pear and Bourbon Sparkler

  This Spiced Pear and Bourbon cocktail is perfect for Thanksgiving, any fall celebration, or chilly Tuesday evening. The spiced pear syrup is the star of the show and starts with a high-quality pear juice simmered with ginger, cinnamon, and a hint of cloves.  In this fall-flavored cocktail, we use for Brown Swerve to really help add a rich caramel flavor that marries perfectly with the pear and warm fall spices.

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• Alex Lau

  2/37

  Hard Cider Spritz

  Instead of lemon juice, you can use fresh grapefruit or orange juice. Bourbon is a great sub for rye in this fall-flavored cocktail perfect for chilly autumnal weather.

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• 3/37

  Cranberry Cobbler

  This simple, festive cocktail uses frozen cranberries, gin, sherry, and mint for a crisp, bright pre-Thanksgiving dinner sipper to offer to guests (and hosts).

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• Bobbi Lin

  4/37

  Earl Grey–Bourbon Punch

  The bourbon punch—made with tea, honey, orange bitters, and thyme—that all of your Thanksgiving guests will love. Even your grandma.

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• Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Yekaterina Boystova, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime

  5/37

  Applejack Sour

  This is exactly what we want to drink when fall rolls around—an apple brandy cocktail with citrus, maple, and baking spice notes.

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• Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

  6/37

  Ginger Spritz

  Ginger beer and bubbly cava were meant to be together in this fizzy, festive, refreshing fall cocktail. Serve it up as a fun, bubbly cocktail to serve up to guests before Thanksgiving dinner.

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• Photograph by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, Food Styling by Alison Roman, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski

  7/37

  Martini Bar

  Because you don’t individually stir these ‘tinis for a crowd (one less thing to fret over before Thanksgiving dinner), water is added to aid in the dilution you’d normally get from ice. You can thank us later.

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• Photo by Marcus Nilsson

  8/37

  Bourbon Fruit Tea Punch

  This fruity big-batch punch will start any dinner party off on the right foot, but orange, tea, and bourbon make for an especially fall-forward combo—ideal for a Thanksgiving crowd.

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• Photo by Ditte Isager

  9/37

  Mulled Wine

  Cardamom, cinnamon, citrus, and fresh apple cider mingle in a heady combination that instantly improves any cold winter day.

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• Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott

  10/37

  Apple Cider and Rum Punch

  Think of this as a house punch that's a snap to make and relatively low in alcohol. Hard ciders can range from bone-dry to rather sweet, so take a sip and adjust the simple syrup if needed.

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• Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Sue Li, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

  11/37

  Cold Toddy

  We took down the temperature of a classic hot toddy for a refreshing, party-ready spin on the wintery cocktail, perfect for a pre (or post) Thanksgiving sipper.

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• Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

  12/37

  Fall Spritz

  No more punch bowls, big-batching, or complicated mixology. You've got better things to do as you're fretting over all of the moving parts of Thanksgiving dinner, so let your guests serve themselves.

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• Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Dana Bonagura

  13/37

  Hot Penicillin

  Move over Hot Toddy, there’s a new, even cozier cold weather cocktail in town.

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• Peden & Munk

  14/37

  Manhattan

  It just may be the perfect classic cocktail. There, we said it. This crowd-pleasing drink will keep your guests occupied before the Thanksgiving table is set.

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• Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Gavin Pierce, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime

  15/37

  A Capella Cocktail

  Rich, creamy coconut milk balances the tart flavors of vinegar and hibiscus in this low-proof cocktail.

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• Christopher Testani

  16/37

  Extra Stormy Dark and Stormy

  Ginger brew and rum are a match made in heaven—we love this classic cocktail particularly in cool weather. Lemon, lime, and candied ginger make for a very well-rounded drink.

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• Photo by Alex Lau

  17/37

  Mezcal Sour

  This cocktail gets its fluffy froth from egg whites and its soft smoky-tangy-sweet flavor from a mix of mezcal and amaro.

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• Peden & Munk

  18/37

  Vesper

  Of this take on a martini, James Bond quipped, “I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made.” When it's a really big dinner, that goes double.

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• Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

  19/37

  Spiced Cherry Spritz

  This speedy, easy cocktail brings back the nostalgic flavor of cherry cola spritz—for adults.

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• Alex Lau

  20/37

  Blood Orange Sangria

  RockSugar uses the juice of calamansi, a delicious but hard-to-find citrus fruit. We approximated its flavor with a mix of other citrus.

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• Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

  21/37

  Aperol Spritz

  This classic combo should be credited with starting the whole spritz phenomenon in the United States. It may seem like a late summer drink, but your guests love this refreshing and well-balanced cocktail before a heavy Thanksgiving dinner.

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• Peden & Munk

  22/37

  Sazerac

  This potent New Orleans nightcap is as much about the aromatic absinthe rinse as it is the Cognac and rye.

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• Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

  23/37

  Pimm’s Spritz

  Cel-Ray (celery soda) and Pimm’s make an unsuspecting great pair in this easy spritz.

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• Alex Lau

  24/37

  Holiday Rum Sparkler

  You’ll have enough honey syrup that you can easily scale up this cocktail for a crowd. Created in partnership with Chef Watson.

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• 25/37

  The New England Express

  BA Foodist Andrew Knowlton explains: “The day is hard enough. Shaking cocktails would be suicide! Punch, however, works. In a nod to early New England Thanksgivings, I use two regional pours: rum (big in the Colonial days) and cider. Unlike most punches, this one won’t leave you under the table after two glasses.”

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• 26/37

  Americano

  Depending on your Thanksgiving traditions, you've got a full day of drinking ahead of you. Start out slowly with Campari and club soda.

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• 27/37

  Honey-Bourbon Toddy

  Looking for something to sip on as you curl up on the couch, post-feast? This is just the ticket.

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• Matt Duckor

  28/37

  Brandy Milk Punch

  Like eggnog? This punch’s for you. If you're dairy-free, just swap out the cream for almond milk.

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• Peden + Munk

  29/37

  Rye and Pomegranate Punch

  The bracing flavor of rye pairs well with seasonal pomegranate juice in this fall-flavor-forward, easy-to-assemble cocktail.

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• Matt Duckor

  30/37

  Barbecue Apple Milk Punch

  This boozy delight is as good a reason as any to invest in a good maple liqueur.

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• Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski

  31/37

  Cynar Spritz

  Sweet, citrusy grapefruit pairs well with herbaceous Cynar, and adding dry Prosecco provides balance.

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• 32/37

  The 'Rol and Rye

  Aperol adds a pleasantly bitter note to this appetite-whetting drink, making for a fantastic pre-Thanksgiving dinner sipper for your guests.

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• 33/37

  Rye Witch

  Rye whiskey, orange bitters, and simple syrup make for an easy-to-assemble, impressive cocktail—perfect for special occasions like Thanksgiving dinner.

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• Alex Lau

  34/37

  Charmed and Dangerous

  Star anise and dried blood orange dial up the holiday flavors in this heady Cognac and absinthe cocktail.

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• Peden + Munk

  35/37

  Apple Pie Moonshine

  For the holidays, Vivian Howard always receives a few jars of ‘Apple Pie’ cocktail as gifts.

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• Peden + Munk

  36/37

  Horseman in the Sky Cocktail

  This recipe bridges the gap between winter and spring with warming spices and a light rosé.

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• 37/37

  Fall Classic

  Thyme, apple brandy, and apple cider taste like fall in a glass. Serve in a swanky martini glass to impress your Thanksgiving guests.

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Source : food