Friendsgiving is around the corner — AKA, the perfect time to get together with your best friends for a memorable night of eating and chatting. But let’s not forget another popular part of Friendsgiving: Mixing some tasty, creative cocktails and mocktails!
Of course, you can always just make your friends a gin and tonic or vodka cran and call it a day. But what better time to elevate your mixology skills, impress your friends, and taste some new drinks than Friendsgiving? Plus, there are so many classic Thanksgiving flavors you can incorporate into your cocktails. So, that being said, here are ten sure-fire cocktails to make for you and your friends for this year’s Friendsgiving celebrations. You can also turn them into mocktails by omitting the alcohol — or, may we suggest some sober spirits?
- Strawberry Pink Lemonade
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Okay, yes, this drink is quite summery — but why not bring back those summer vibes while we can? This spiked lemonade is girly and feminine, which definitely matches many Friendsgiving parties, and its pretty color is definitely worth noting. To top it all off, it’s not too costly, easy to prepare, and would honestly be pretty hard to mess up.
- Apple Cider Mimosa
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A twist on a classic (and classy) cocktail, this drink is perfect for a brunch Friendsgiving get-together. The fall flavors mean this mimosa is perfectly on-theme, but it doesn’t scream “Thanksgiving” too loudly. Like the previous drink, it’s perfect for beginners, because mimosas are arguably the easiest cocktails to make.
- Pumpkin Spice Cocktail
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If you do want your cocktail to scream “Thanksgiving,” this cocktail is for you — or maybe you just love pumpkin, in which case, I can’t blame you. Take some of that leftover pumpkin purée from Halloween and create this unique and tasty drink, which is perfect to try for this time of year. It’s like pumpkin pie in a glass — if that doesn’t intrigue you, I don’t know what will.
- Cranberry Mule
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This one should come as no shocker, because no fruit says Thanksgiving quite like cranberries! This twist on a mule is perfect for any gin lover, and it can easily be dressed up with some rosemary and fruit on top. If vodka cran is your go-to, try kicking it up a notch this Friendsgiving by making this drink instead.
- Bourbon Crush
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This is another fancy-sounding and complex-looking drink that’s actually pretty simple. To be honest, this reminds me of an elevated, grown-up version of a Shirley Temple, given the grenadine, orange juice, and Sprite — so it’s perfect for a fun night in with friends. It’s especially great for anyone who loves sweet drinks (ahem, me).
- Maple Whiskey Sour
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Another amazing fall flavor to incorporate during your Friendsgiving celebrations is maple, which is effectively highlighted in this sweet-and-sour cocktail. Bear in mind that you’ll have to handle raw egg when you’re making this drink — but you’re always welcome to omit it. And bonus points go to anyone who uses authentic Canadian maple syrup!
- Apple Cider Mojito
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Mojitos are my personal favorite drink, and a girls’ night classic, so I had to include a fun mojito recipe on this list. And what better way to elevate a mojito for Friendsgiving than with apple cider, which adds a crisp and fruity taste? Plus, this new ingredient brings in some essential Thanksgiving flavors.
- Pecan Pie Martini
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This drink is a unique and original take on a holiday staple: pecan pie. If you prefer creamier drinks, or if you’re sick of the many fruity drinks I’ve included on this list, then this one is definitely for you. This sweet and elegant cocktail is perfect for anyone looking to impress their friends with a new variation of a martini.
- Cranberry Orange Margaritas
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Here’s another way to include cranberries, an essential Thanksgiving fruit, in your Friendsgiving drink. Joining cranberry and orange creates a tart, fruity flavor, and you can easily alter the level of sweetness depending on your preferences. This drink is fool-proof and a guaranteed win — besides, who doesn’t love margaritas?
- Salted Caramel Martini
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To end with a bang, this final cocktail is certainly a showstopper, but it’s also one of the simplest to make. With only two ingredients, the Irish cream and caramel vodka balance each other out to create a sweet, decadent flavor. Although it’s not technically a martini, it sure presents like one — and your friends will enjoy it regardless of the name!