Tired of Apple Cider? Here Are 7 Must-Try Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and luckily that means we can all chow down on all of our favorite holiday foods. Yet, there is another HUGE plus about the holidays-cocktails. For those of us 21+, here are some of the best recipes you can encourage your family to drink for this upcoming Thanksgiving. Be sure to drink responsibly, collegiettes! 

1. Cranberry Cosmopolitan

Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and be ready to drink up on a Cosmo that Carrie Bradshaw would approve of. A simple twist on a classic, this drink calls for:

• 1½ ounces vodka, preferably ruby red vodka or citron vodka
• ½ ounce orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier
• ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce cranberry juice, red or white

2. Thanksgiving Jungle Juice

Not only will this drink make over ten servings, it’s also super easy to make. Just pour all of the ingredients into a large bowl, stir, and garnish with orange and apple slices.

• 2 bottles red wine
• 4 c. ginger ale
• 3 c. cranberry juice
• 2/3 c. Fireball
• 2/3 c. whiskey
• 2 c. frozen cranberries
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 apple, cut into thin slices

3. Sparkling Pomegranate Mimosas

Want to start your Thanksgiving celebration early? Then these mimosas are a go-to for you! Drink up and get ready to feel extra thankful, even in the morning. Start off by placing one tablespoon of pomegranate seeds into a glass along with one rosemary sprig, 1.5 oz. of juice and topped with champagne!

• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
• 6-8 sprigs of rosemary
• pomegranate juice
• 1 bottle of champagne

4. Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Moscow Mules just got a whole lot better! Amp up your cocktail skills with a simple twist by incorporating apple cider and some cinnamon. In a cocktail shaker add some ice, apple cider, ginger beer, vodka, lime juice and cinnamon! Top with apple slices, a lime and a cinnamon stick for presentation points!

• 4 oz. hard apple cider
• 4 oz. ginger beer
• 1.5 oz. citron vodka
• juice of half a lime
• dash of ground cinnamon

5. Cranberry Thyme Gin and Tonic

Gin and Tonics are already beyond amazing on their own, but this classy drink can turn from a summer drink to a holiday appropriate one in just a few simple steps. You’ll start out by making a syrup by cooking down orange juice, cranberries, sugar, water and vanilla extract for 10-15 minutes. Make sure to crush down the cranberries, then add some thyme and crush those too! Grab a glass, add one oz. of the syrup, some ice, 2 oz. of gin and top with tonic. Garnish with thyme and even some fresh cranberries.

• 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• Splash of orange juice
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Fresh Thyme
• Gin of choice
• Tonic of choice

6. Pumpkin Spice Margaritas

PSL’s are pretty much irrelevant now that we know these margaritas are a thing. Start by adding ice to a martini shaker and then add lime juice, lemon juice, tequila, pumpkin puree and triple sec, then shake. Strain all of the contents and pour in a cinnamon rimmed glass. Garnish with cinnamon or an orange twist.

• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 2 oz tequila
• 1 tbsp 100% pumpkin puree
• 1 splash Cointreau [ or triple sec ]
• 1 splash water
• 1 handful of ice cubes
• pinch of cinnamon
• pinch of pumpkin pie spice
• optional-splash of Grand Marnier
• optional-orange twist, a pinch of cinnamon for garnish

7. Mulled Red Wine Sangria

 This recipe comes straight from Bobby Flay, AKA King of Food Network AKA, we’re making this one ASAP!  Simply combine the Spanish wine, orange juice, brandy and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Then add the orange and lemon slices and let it all simmer for about five minutes.

•  1 bottle Spanish red table wine
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced

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