Festive Thanksgiving Cocktail Ideas

Why not skip the plain beer and wine this Thanksgiving? Try to serve your guests with some festive Thanksgiving cocktails. Here are some delicious cocktail recipes made with the best flavors of fall and the perfect complement for your Thanksgiving desserts.

Pecan Pie Martini Recipe

This Pecan Pie Martini by Sienna of Delish might look innocent, but they're strong!

Total prep time: 20 minutes

Yields: 3 servings

Here's what you need:

FOR GARNISH

• 3 tbsp. caramel, microwaved until pourable
• ¼ c. toasted chopped pecans
• Cool Whip, for garnish
• 3 whole pecans, for garnish
• Sprinkle of cinnamon, for garnish

FOR COCKTAIL

• 6 oz. rumchata
• 6 oz. crème de cocoa
• 3 oz. bourbon
• Ice

Here's how to mix the drink:

1. On separate small shallow plates, put the caramel and toasted chopped pecans. To coat the rim of each glasses, dip each rim first into the caramel and then into the chopped pecans.
2. In a large cocktail shaker, add creme de cocoa, rumchata, and bourbon. Fill with ice and shake for 30 seconds until cold.
3. Pour into the prepared martini glasses and top with a spoonful of whipped cream, a whole pecan, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Spiced Bourbon, Beer, and Maple Martinis Recipe

These Spiced Bourbon, Beer, and Maple Martinis by Giada De Laurentiis of Food Network are unique and give you a sweet and spicy treatment.

Total prep time: 15 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

Here's what you need:

• 1 cup chilled bourbon
• ¼ cup chilled dark beer, such as Negro Modelo
• ¼ cup chilled pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B)
• Ice cubes
• 1 whole nutmeg
• 4 small dried red chilies, such as japones, rinsed and patted dry

Here's how to mix the drink:

1. In a martini shaker, combine the bourbon, beer, and maple syrup. Fill the shaker with ice cubes. Cover and shake about 8 times until cold.
2. Into 4 large chilled martini glasses, strain the drink equally.
3. Over each martini, grate about 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg. Add chili to each martini and stir to mix. Serve very cold.

Pumpkin Spice White Russian Recipe

This Pumpkin Spice White Russian by Marian Cooper Cairns of Country Living is both a dessert and a cocktail drink.

Total prep time: 10 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

Here's what you need:

• 4 gingersnap cookies, crumbled
• 1 tsp. honey
• ¾ c. coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
• 2/3 c. vodka
• 1 ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• ¾ c. heavy cream

Here's how to mix the drink:

1. Put crumbled cookies on a plate. Coat the rim of each glasses with honey and dip in cookie crumbs.
2. In a measuring cup, mix coffee liqueur, vodka, and pumpkin pie spice. Pour the drink equally into the prepared glasses; top with ice. Divide 3/4 cup heavy cream equally among glasses and serve immediately.

The Humble Magnificent Cocktail Recipe

This The Humble Magnificent Cocktail by Jessica Leigh Mattern and Jennifer Aldrich of Country Living is like fall in a glass.

Total prep time: 10 minutes

Yields: 1 serving

Here's what you need:

• 5 Mint leaves
• 2 Orange wedges
• 1 oz. Laird's Apple Brandy or Applejack
• ¾ oz. lemon juice
• 1 oz. Pimm's No. 1
• ¼ oz. Demerara syrup or simple syrup
• ½ oz. Pinewood Social's Saigon Cinnamon Syrup
• 7 dash old-fashioned or Angostura bitters
• Soda water

Here's how to mix the drink:

1. In a cocktail shaker, mix-up mint and orange wedges using a wooden spoon. Add apple brandy, lemon juice, Pimm's, Demerara syrup, cinnamon syrup, and bitters.
2. Cover, shake well, and double-strain into Collins glass. Top with soda water; garnish with a mint sprig.

Pumpkin Spice Oreo Spiked Milkshake Recipe

This Pumpkin Spice Oreo Spiked Milkshake by Natalie Migliarini of Delish is a boozy autumn beverage.

Total prep time: 10 minutes

Yields: 1 serving

Here's what you need:

• 1 ½ oz. vodka
• 4 pumpkin spice Oreos, plus more for garnish
• 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• ½ cup milk
• Salted caramel, for drizzling

Here's how to mix the drink:

1. In a blender, place vodka, pumpkin spice Oreos, vanilla ice cream, and milk; blend until smooth.
2. Into serving glasses, pour the smoothie, and drizzle with salted caramel sauce.

Start the holiday season with these Thanksgiving Magnetic Wine Charms Set.  These best wine charms are the finishing touches to your cocktail glasses this holiday. Let your guests select their charms to get them in a holiday mood. These glass markers make a great Thanksgiving hostess gift too.

These Thanksgiving cocktails are far more festive than the plain beer and bottle of wine. And they even taste better with your pumpkin-flavored desserts. These Thanksgiving-themed beverages will surely set everyone's mood in a festive spirit. For more fall-flavored cocktails, check out our Apple Cocktail Recipes.  Cheers!