12 Easy Thanksgiving Cocktails

By Carl Hanson
November 14, 2019
Credit: Cranberry Martini

Shake up Thanksgiving with seasonal cocktails that are simple, food friendly, and always festive. With these top-rated cocktails, you'll turn just a few ingredients into holiday cheer.

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Americano Cocktail

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Stir Campari and vermouth over ice. Top off with club soda and add a slice or a simple twist of orange peel.  "It's a Negroni, basically, minus the gin octane," says Lorem Ipsum. Nice for afternoon sips and a great low-alcohol, pre-dinner drink.

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Really Simple Bellinis

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This one's just peachy! Mix up canned peaches in a blender and top off with sparkling wine, that's it! "Add a dash of grenadine for a more colorful drink!" says MAGNOLIAWENCH.

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Kir Royale Cocktail

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Creme de cassis and sparkling wine create a two-ingredient, low-alcohol cocktail that's just right before a big meal. "Crème de cassis, the sweet syrupy liqueur made from blackcurrants, is a delicious and wonderful way to fancy up an ordinary glass of champagne," says Linda. 

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Jack Rose Cocktail

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Shake up applejack (apple brandy) and fresh lemon juice with a bit of grenadine. "Another great cocktail for autumn," says Lorem Ipsum. "Or any time. "

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Moscow Mule Cocktail

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Vodka, ginger beer, and lime create a spicy, well-balanced cocktail.  "Used a great ginger beer, which I think is most important to the taste," says Pat Kelly. "Proportions of ingredients was perfect!"

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Aperol Spritz

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A terrific Thanksgiving cocktail. Aperol is lower in alcohol and maybe a touch less bitter than Campari. "Combined with the sweetness of the Prosecco, it makes the perfect, thirst-quenching cocktail," says sonjagroset.

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Manhattan Cocktail

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Here's a basic but a bracing cocktail of bourbon, sweet vermouth, and a dash of Angostura bitters. So simple, so classic. "Classic indeed!" confirms Big Steel. "While I don't typically enjoy sweet cocktails, this one straddles the fence between sweet and smoky."

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Original Champagne Cocktail

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Simple glamour!  A cube of sugar, a couple dashes of Angostura bitters, and sparkling wine are all you need to create this sophisticated cocktail. "I made this drink for Thanksgiving and loved it," says Darcie.

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Vodka Martini Cocktail

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Vodka stands in for gin in this variation on the king of cocktails. And, of course, if you prefer gin, go for it. "This is the perfect vodka martini," says W.Adkisson. "There are lots of variations on the ratios of vermouth to vodka, but I've found I like this best."

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Nectar of the Gods

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"A nice easy champagne variation with a Southwestern twist," says The Jazz Chef. It's simply champagne, agave nectar and Chambord, the raspberry-flavored liqueur.

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Perfect Pear Brandy Sidecar

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Shake up pear brandy, lemon juice, simple syrup, and pear nectar and pour into a martini glass. "It tastes like biting into the ripest, most redolent pear you've ever eaten," says c-biskit. 

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Cranberry Martini

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A colorful classic. Shake vodka, orange liqueur, vermouth, and cranberry juice over ice. Garnish with cranberries. "I had this cranberry martini recipe at a holiday party and everyone loved it," says Ed Grivner. "The cranberry juice mixes nicely with the liquor. It's a perfect smooth drink."

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