The Best Cocktails for an Easy Festive Thanksgiving

Why should you only drink wine or beer at your Thanksgiving gatherings? Why not enjoy a fun, festive cocktail all about Turkey Day?

Whether it's a family affair, a Friendsgiving or just fun over the long holiday weekend, why not spice it up with something tasty to drink? Here are the best cocktails for an easy, festive Thanksgiving.

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Pumpkin margaritas

Most people treat themselves to pumpkin pie during the holidays. Why not mix it up and delight your taste buds with the classic taste mixed with a favorite drink? While you bake the cake, set some of the pumpkin aside and make it a real crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

1. Start by adding brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and water to a saucepan over low-medium heat

2. Whisk everything together and simmer on a very low heat

3. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the pot from the heat

4. Pour the syrup into a container and place in the refrigerator to cool for 10-15 minutes

5. Place a handful of ice cubes in a cocktail shaker

6. Add tequila, Cointreau, pumpkin syrup, lime juice, pumpkin puree and 3 dashes of Angostura bitters

7. Close the lid tightly and shake for 15-30 seconds

8. Remove the lid from the cocktail shaker and carefully strain the drink into ice-filled glasses

9. Garnish with any herbs and spices such as cinnamon sticks, freshly grated nutmeg or rosemary

Amaretto sour

The Amaretto Sour was probably created in 1974 by the importer of Amaretto di Saronno as a promotion. The original recipe was two parts amaretto liqueur and one part lemon juice.

The Amaretto Sour became popular in the 1970s and 1980s. It was popular with bartenders and guests due to its distinct almond flavor and refreshing acidity. It's a cozy drink that's perfect for a small Thanksgiving gathering.

• 1 1/2 ounces Amaretto liqueur
• 3/4 ounce cask proof bourbon
• 1 ounce Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• 1/2 ounce protein
• Garnish: Lemon twist
• Garnish: 2 Brandy cherries

Create

1. Add amaretto, bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white to a shaker and shake dry for 15 seconds (without ice).
2. Add ice and shake again until well chilled
3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice
4. Garnish with a lemon wedge and 2 skewered branded cherries

Apple Pie Bourbons

What's better for Thanksgiving than apple pie and bourbon? While you don't indulge in a nice drink, include both. A rich, delicious taste to enjoy while playing football or as a pre-drink before a big meal.

Ingredients

• 2 Apples (green and red), chopped
• 1 1” piece of fresh ginger
• 1 whole nutmeg, lightly grated
• 4 Cinnamon sticks and more for garnish
• 1 1/2 cup bourbon
• 3 sugar cubes

Create

1. Fill a mason jar with bourbon, apples, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.
2. Let the mixture sit for 2 to 4 days. (After 2 days, season to taste and let it steep longer if desired.)
3. Pour the mixture into shot glasses and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Rose Kennedy

Also known as “VSS” (vodka soda spritz), this cocktail is as refreshing as possible and a low-calorie alternative to other options. Developed in Washington in the late '80s, the original Rose Kennedy was garnished only with lemon and contained only enough cranberry so that the drink was barely pink, making the squeezed lemon and cranberry flavors faint but equal. The use of a lime made him an Ethel Kennedy back then.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of vodka
• 1 1/2 ounces soda
• 1/2 ounce cranberry

Create

1. Add vodka and soda to a glass filled with ice
2. Squirt cranberry juice over it and garnish with a lemon wedge

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Apple Cider Margaritas

While apple pie is the third most popular holiday (after pumpkin and pecan), it's a delicious flavor to mix into the classic margarita. It gives it an autumn feeling and goes perfectly with tequila.

Ingredients

• 1 medium lemon
• 2 Ounces REposado or Silver Tequila
• 1 1/2 ounces Apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
• 1/2 ounce maple syrup
• 1 prize ground cinnamon
• 1 cinnamon stick or thin apple slices for garnish

Create

1. Squeeze juice from medium lemon until 3/4 ounce remains
2. Add the lemon juice, 2 ounces tequila, 1 1/2 ounces apple cider, 1/2 ounce maple syrup and 1 pinch ground cinnamon to a cocktail shaker
3. Fill the shaker halfway with ice. Cap and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.

Pour through a sieve into the glass

Garnish with a cinnamon stick and thin apple slices if desired