Meet the Maker: Offbeat + Inspired

A couple of weeks ago, we introduced a new way for you to discover projects and makers on Brit + Co. through Brit Picks. Each maker in the Brit Picks program has a unique sense of style and making that inspires our work (which is why we love them). This is the first installation of our Meet the Maker series—a chance for you to get to know our Brit Picks. Today, we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany and Sarah, the creators at Offbeat + Inspired.

And don’t forget, if you’d like to be part of the Brit Picks program, apply here. Now, onto Sarah and Tiffany.

First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up, what’s your background?

Tiffany: I grew up in northeastern New Jersey (the oldest of 4) and attended Hawthorne Christian Academy (K-12) where I met Sarah! A lot of our primary interests aligned, as we were both involved in ministry, sports and art. We were the ones doodling during class, ditching last period early for an away game, and chatting for hours about our plans to be missionaries someday.

When it was time to move on to college, I had NO idea what I wanted to do. I was torn between ministry, art and business. At that point in my life, I wanted to focus on everything I loved at the same time and there just didn’t seem to be one major for all of it! The solution? Get hitched. Just kidding, but I really did get married (to the most amazing man ever) about a year after I stopped going to school, and soon after that we moved to Kentucky which is where we are now! Throughout all of that, Sarah and I stayed in touch and eventually started up our blog!

Sarah: I grew up as the youngest of six kids in northern New Jersey. I lived in the same house my entire life and attended a small Christian school from first grade (when I met Tiffany) through high school graduation. I ended up in the Chicago suburbs to attend Wheaton College where I met my wonderful husband. We’ve been living in the Chicago-land area ever since.

When did you first realize you love to make? Was there a particular moment or project that inspired it?

Tiffany: I realized I loved to make pretty early in life. My Dad made video games and my mom was a graphics designer, so I was sort of destined to do something artsy. I was interested in fashion at a young age and spent ridiculous amounts of class time doodling comic strips with female characters decked out in all kinds of crazy outfits. In middle and high school I was upcycling old jeans into purses and knitting hats to sell to my classmates. I was even taking orders in my marble notebook! As I got older, I started collecting books and magazines on crafting, graphics design, fashion design and cooking. A love for photography sprouted up somewhere in there too. All that to say, it was definitely a lot of little moments that made me realize that “making” was something I truly loved.

Sarah: I think I’ve always loved to make. I remember in first grade, Tiffany and I had competitions to see who could draw Disney princesses better. (She definitely won.) While my drawing skills may have peaked by fourth grade or so, my desire to make has continued. My mom was always very creative and I grew up with her making dinner, having an incredible garden, sewing nearly all my clothes as a little girl, etc. “Making” was just part of normal life, and I think that has stuck with me.

Why did you decide to start Offbeat + Inspired? What do you hope people are able to find through your blog?

Tiffany: Offbeat + Inspired was born over a weekend cabin trip to Red River Gorge (KY), where I was trying to convince Sarah to get into soap making. I had been a soaper for about 2 years at that point, and when the topic arose and she seemed interested, I explained the process. It was so long that I ended up sending an e-mail with the full instructions and then she had the idea to start a blog and share it with the general public in case anyone else wanted to learn soap making too! The BIG soap tutorial (as it’s known to us now) was the post that sparked O+I. Once that idea was on the table, we were SO excited about the endless possibilities. We could share about food, beauty, fashion, life, photography, art — all of it! Finally there was one home for everything we loved. Sarah lives in Chicago and I live in Lexington, KY, so even if no one ever found us, the blog would at least give us a place to share our projects with each other. We loved that (and still do), but when people happen across O+I, we want them to find something that inspires them to create with purpose.

Sarah: Tiffany and I decided to start Offbeat + Inspired after spending Labor Day weekend on a mini-vacation with our husbands and another couple. Tiffany had been working on a number of crafts and projects, and I was especially intrigued by her soap-making. She passed down some of her soaping supplies to me and then told me she’d write me some instructions. I had spent some time researching soap-making instructions, but when Tiffany sent me hers, they were absolutely the best beginner’s instructions I had seen anywhere. I told her that she needed to start a blog…and I guess the rest is history. We started talking and video-chatting for hours every day (since we live in different states) and out of those conversations, Offbeat + Inspired was born.

Through our blog, I want people to find inspiration to live creatively, but not just for creativity’s sake. I want people to see the deeper story behind the recipes, crafts, etc. I hope that people don’t just read about food, but they read about the importance of a shared meal with family. I don’t want people to just see a patio furniture upcycle. I want people to see that project as a catalyst to spend time cultivating relationships with others. I hope that people find through our blog the deeper things that really inspire us – our faith, family and friends (sorry for the cheesy alliteration – that was not intentional).

How do you choose different projects or recipes that you try? Where do you get your inspiration?

Tiffany: Inspiration comes from everywhere. Pinterest (obviously!), our favorite blogs, magazines, adventuring in our local cities and beyond, getting to know small business owners and what makes them tick — it really does come from everywhere. When choosing specific projects, we have one rule: we have to love it. We won’t make stuff that doesn’t truly get us excited. Sometimes it’s tempting in blog world to gravitate towards projects or recipes that are getting a lot of buzz, but that takes all the fun out of it! We really don’t want O+I to turn into a chore, so we focus on anything that makes us want to happy dance on the spot.

Sarah: Much of my inspiration, especially for recipes, comes from my mom. I’ve blogged about a few recipes of hers that I’ve grown up with, and I’m excited to share more of my childhood favorites. Nearly every night growing up, my family sat down to dinner together. It wasn’t just any dinner, but it was usually an incredible homemade feast accompanied with hours of conversation. For me, food isn’t just food. It’s a means of bringing people together to do life with one another.

As far as inspiration for some of my other projects, much of my inspiration comes simply from pragmatism – boring, I know. The practical side of me thinks, “OK, I need some bedroom storage. How can I get an inexpensive dresser?” And out of that everyday issue, I now have an upcycled vintage-looking dresser that I bought at a garage sale and repainted.

I have so many incredibly creative friends and people in my family, and they definitely inspire me, too. I also love blogging with Tiffany, because I think we feed off each other a lot and definitely inspire new ideas in each other.

What types of projects are your favorite? Do you love baking, sewing, making jewelry?

Tiffany: My favorite projects change based on my mood. I love trying new things and I tend to go on random kicks — I even spent a few months making mini foods out of polymer clay — that random (and so fun)! But I do tend to gravitate towards the kitchen, upcycling projects and fashion illustration.

Sarah: Anything with food. Growing up, family dinners were an every day occurrence. Everyone in my family loves food, not just because of the food, but because of the relationships that are built around a meal. Hours of conversation around the dinner table have resulted in wonderful relationships with every one in my family, a continued appreciation for learning, a safe place to laugh and cry together, and of course, good food.

What is your favorite project you’ve ever done?

Tiffany: I think my favorite projects are fashion illustrations. They’re whimsical and pretty, and you can decorate with them!

Sarah: Wow, good question. I’d have to say one of my favorite projects was the first upcycling project I ever did. I remade a dresser for our guest bedroom. While I hope I’ve improved a bit on my crafting skills since remaking that dresser a year ago, it’s definitely my favorite project simply because that project marked the beginning of this “making” journey for me and it’s also the first piece that I worked on for my house.

What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other makers?

Tiffany: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. I spent years feeling like a misfit with a bunch of random interests no direction. When I started considering putting it all on a blog, I was intimidated by the thousands of projects, recipes and amazing photography that was already online. I didn’t think anyone would be interested in what I was throwing together in the kitchen and the craft room. But honestly, it has been so rewarding to learn how to treat “making” like a valuable part of who I am instead of a frustrating lack of direction. Even if no one ever found O+I, I’ve learned more about myself in sharing what I love than I ever would have by keeping it hidden. If you’ve been dreaming about starting a business, start it. If you’ve been wanting to make a blog, make it. Life is short, and it’s amazing how much joy and purpose can be found in sharing what you love with others.

Sarah: I’ve struggled with comparing myself to everyone else, wishing that my recipes, projects, photography, etc. were as good as the next person’s. My advice would be to continue to focus on growing and improving. Don’t sink into a dark cycle of comparison. Since we started this blog, I have been learning a LOT of new things. That learning process is one of the things I love about it. Yet sometimes I find myself getting way too frustrated because I expect to be an expert at everything I try right from the beginning. Tiffany and I said from the very beginning that we always wanted to be enjoying blogging, and part of the enjoyment involves trying new things and sometimes having to retry those things. Not every recipe or project may turn out or be as good as the next person’s – and that’s OK.

Tell us how technology has changed and supported what you do?

Tiffany: Technology has made it SO easy to spread the word about our blog. I love how supportive the blogging community has been, and it’s amazing to be able to interact with our readers, other bloggers and business owners that we look up to. As far as social media goes, Instagram is my favorite. Being able to post pictures of what I’m doing throughout the day is addictive, and I spend embarrassing amounts of time drooling over other people’s feeds. I’m @tifforelie in case anyone wants to join in on my habit! Without technology, sharing inspiration would be so limited. It’s been huge for us!

Sarah: Without technology, we could not do what we do. As I mentioned earlier, Offbeat + Inspired was born out of many phone calls and video chats – video chatting especially has been especially important for us since we live in different states. It makes it possible for us to work together despite the distance.

Technology allows us to share our story, our lives, our projects. Through social media outlets, photography, videos, etc. we’re able to get our ideas across to a broader audience. We’re also able to glean from the expertise of many other makers, bloggers, chefs, etc. through the use of technology.

What’s up next for Offbeat + Inspired? Is there anything new you’ve been wanting to try?

Tiffany: We’re just taking things day by day. We’ve been so humbled and blessed by the opportunities that have come our way, to work with some of our favorite publications and businesses, and we’re really excited about whatever’s around the corner. We would love to continue collaborating with and supporting companies and causes we care about. Overall though, our goal is to continue honing our skills and sharing our lives, our faith, our projects and our inspiration with people, and in turn, being inspired by them.

Sarah: We want to continue to grow in ever area of our blogging. We especially want to grow in our photography skills and continue to find our personal photography and blog style. We’ve been learning a great deal from other incredible makers, and we want to use that knowledge to improve upon our recipes and projects. More specifically, I would love to continue to develop original recipes and grow in my culinary knowledge and skill.

We also want to continue to share our story. We hope that through reading our blog, people will get to know us, and we’ll get to know others. I’m always a bit nervous when writing something more personal, because I think, “What if people don’t like this? Then they don’t like me.” I’m a people-pleaser that way. But we continually want to grow in our storytelling and sharing parts of our lives that we think may be an encouragement to others.

Lastly, I think in the future for Offbeat + Inspired, we’re hoping to incorporate the use of video a bit more. There’s so much more we can share through video that may be difficult to share through photography or text.

We’re so excited to have Sarah and Tiffany’s projects as part of Brit Picks! Know of anyone else who should get on board? Tell them to apply here!

Love Sarah and Tiffany as much as we do? Don’t forget to visit them over at Offbeat + Inspired. What other makers inspire you? Tell us in the comments below.

If you’ve ever searched the internet for lettering inspo, you’ve probably seen Lauren Hom’s work. Her California-based design studio, Hom Sweet Hom, has done work for clients such as Starbucks and Google, and has a new exclusive collection with Studio Ink. She is also well known for her beautifully lettered “Daily Dishonesty” sayings and making money off her ex-boyfriend’s tears. Still not convinced of how cool Lauren is? Get this: Her life motto is “Work hard, snack often.” If those aren’t true pearls of wisdom, I don’t know what are.

Lauren recently teamed up with Studio INK to create a line of beautiful, colorful, quirky greeting cards. In true Lauren Hom fashion, her cards are super relatable and speak the truth (i.e. “Birthday Calories Don’t Count”).

And now, for our chat with Lauren.

Where are you based?

Traveling around the world for a year right now. Previous home base was Brooklyn, New York.

What inspires you? Why do you love to design, create and make?

I’m inspired by life — from inside jokes with friends to exploring new cities and cultures, my work is mostly inspired by my experiences. Aesthetically, I’m inspired by the colors, patterns, textures and signage of all the places I travel to.

I’ve always loved to make things with my hands. Whether it’s baking a cake or painting a mural, I really enjoy making something out of nothing. Sometimes I’ll step back from something I’ve drawn or painted and think, “Whoa, did that really just come out of my hands?” It’s a great feeling, and I think this feeling is what keeps me moving forward.

What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other makers?

Never stop making!

Tell us how technology has changed and supported what you do.

I love the speed, precision and efficiency that technology gives me. All of my work starts out on paper with pencil and ink, and then with the help of a scanner, Photoshop and a tablet, I can edit, color, rotate and paint my letters any way I want to. 50 years ago, I would’ve had to do all of it by hand. It’s really incredible.

How do you get into the creative flow? How does it feel?

A good workflow is my happy place. Everything falls into place and I go into a sort of happy trance. I find that I get into the creative flow by writing down ideas as soon as they come to me. There’s something magical about the birth of an idea — the thought that I could’ve just come up with something that has never crossed anyone else’s mind is so exhilarating. Writing things down (on paper, in my phone notepad, etc.) as soon as they come to mind is definitely a catalyst to my creative flow.

Oh, and having a few really good go-to playlists is key when I’m in a drawing groove. Having to stop and change songs is super disruptive.

What is the story of how you got to where you are today?

When I was 18, I moved to New York City to attend the advertising program at School of Visual Arts. After graduation, I landed my dream job at a big advertising agency but burnt out within a year. Luckily, I had been working on illustration passion projects on the side, so I had enough confidence to leave my full-time job and begin freelancing. Leaving the comfort of my nine-to-five job was scary, but when I put myself in a sink or swim situation, I worked harder because there was more to lose.

What other makers inspire you?

These amazing ladies making unique things:

What is the weirdest, most unusual or worst job you’ve ever had?

In college, I designed characters for a Facebook game that was like Farmville for stoners.

What other things do you love to make?

I hand-sewed this sexy cheeseburger + fries Halloween costume that I am super proud of: I’ve worn it seven years in a row.

Which Lauren Hom for Studio INK card is your fave?Share with us on Instagram by using the hashtag #britstagram!

Styling: Irene Lee and Lindsay Saito

Photography: Chris Andre

Last night I realized I was pregnant during the height of the pandemic and the 2020 election cycle, but I didn't have any self-care practices in sight. I was chronically stressed and spent way too much time on social media when I should've been finding ways to ground myself. After a tough four years of navigating everything from motherhood to starting my career, I've finally started utilizing gratitude journaling as a tool to get through tough days.

I don't know how you may be feeling today, but I've created journal prompts you can refer to when you're scared, anxious, unsure of the future, and more. They're not meant to replace meditation or seeking therapy, but they are here for moments you need to check in with yourself.

A Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You're Worried About The Future

Arina Krasnikova

Write Down 5 Things You're Grateful You Can See, Touch, Hear, And Smell

This is actually a practice I picked up in therapy to help redirect my anxious thoughts. It's something I often refer to when I'm fixated on the future and things that might happen. Any time you feel yourself not being present because you're worried about what's next, focus on things that are immediately in front of you or around you.

For example, here's what's reminding me to be present:

  • I can hear one of my favorite gospel songs playing and the subtle humming I'm doing.
  • I can see two lime green books on my desk.
  • I can smell the clean laundry my fiancé took out of the dryer.
  • I'm touching the keys on my keyboard as I type this.
Although they seem small, I'm grateful they're helping to keep me rooted in the present moment. So, what are you grateful you can see, touch, hear, and smell today?

Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You're Experiencing Sadness

Darina Belonogova

Write Down 3 Things You're Grateful For Today

Practicing gratitude when you're sad isn't so you can pretend the sadness doesn't exist. It's a very real emotion that calls for us to be curious about why we're feeling that way. However, if you feel like you're 'stuck' in your sadness, you can try writing down 3 things you're grateful for right now. Again, they don't have to be grandiose. They just have to make sense to you.

You could be grateful for:

  • Eating a delicious meal
  • Having a good night's sleep
  • Hearing your favorite song at the right moment
  • Morning snuggles with your pet or toddler
  • Having access to binge watch your favorite TV show when you need to escape reality for a bit

Antoni Shkraba

Write Down The People You're Grateful You Can Rely On

My hope is that everyone has at least one person they can rely on during difficult moments in life. I know everyone doesn't have huge villages for different reasons, but I'd rather focus on who is there.

This gratitude journaling idea doesn't require you to go in depth about why you're grateful for the people in your corner unless you want to. You can simply write their names down if that's all you have the bandwidth for.

Pavel Danilyuk

Recount A Memory That Always Makes You Smile

When in doubt, think about a moment that was hilarious or filled you with joy. It can be from your childhood, first year in college, or even your wedding day! The one memory that always makes me smile is from an interesting moment I told one of my uncles he looked like Santa Claus. I was around 5 or 6 years old, so it was a super innocent comment, but still it was hilarious nonetheless. No one in my family has let my uncle or me forget that moment. It's small, but it's one of the memories I'm grateful I can remember when I'm feeling sad.

A Gratitude Journaling Idea For When You Feel You're Not Doing Enough

Antoni Shkraba

Write Down 1 Thing You've Grateful You've Accomplished

I know some journal prompts ask you to list multiple things you've recently accomplished, but I've found that makes me a little more anxious that necessary. If this sounds like you, I see you and think it's just as impactful to be grateful for one thing you've done that you're proud of. It could be as simple as:

  • "I had the strength to get out of bed today after wanting to do nothing more than hide under the covers."
  • "I did laundry and put everything away."
  • "I made myself a meal instead of ordering lunch like I usually do."
  • "I stuck to my budget this week."
  • "My presentation at work or school went really well."
  • "I made that scary phone call I've been putting off."
  • "I went for a walk around my neighborhood or local park."

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As our Re:Make conference-goers can attest, there’s really nothing like being in the company of fellow makers. Small-scale artisans make our world go round, and we’ll take every chance we can get to celebrate them! That’s why we teamed up with Blurb to put on our first-ever Maker B-School, a night filled with inspiring makers, tasty (and photogenic!) cocktails and a healthy helping of maker wisdom from some of the best in the industry.

Consider this your virtual tour :) First stop: Blurb’s station!

BLURB

We have MAJOR respect for this company. Using their tools, any maker (or regular Jane!) can publish a print book, magazine or ebook, and therefore make their brand that much stronger. Blurb has done wonders for the maker community, and we’re incredibly honored to partner with them.

CHRISTINE HERRIN + ADOBE

We’re all about hands-on project stations, and Adobe definitely delivered. They paired up with Christine Herrin, who makes seriously beautiful zines using Adobe InDesign, and provided inspirational booklets for all of the attendees.

Excuse us while we crush HARD on Christine’s designs — we can’t get enough of them.

LAMBERT FLORAL STUDIO

Next up is Sammy Go of Lambert Floral Studio (yay for maker dudes!) with a jaw-dropping, bountiful bouquet, some impressive knowledge of how to grow a business’s social community and possibly one of the most tasteful product catalogs we’ve ever seen. Can you bring your flowers to all of our events, please?

See what we mean by an impressive catalog? This thing is downright dreamy.

CRAFT + COCKTAILS

Ashley Rose Conway of Craft + Cocktails whipped up tasty piña coladas and spiked pink peppercorn lemonades all night, and also dished out some expert tips on cocktail photo styling. We’ve already been following her on Instagram for ages, so it was a real treat to get a behind-the-scenes look!

These babies were definitely Insta candy :)

ETTA + BILLIE

Alana Rivera, from the artisanal soap brand Etta + Billie, talked shop and shared best tips for building an authentic brand. We can’t decide what we like more: the marvelous fragrances or the tasteful, elegant packaging.

JOSHU + VELA

The team at JOSHU+VELA construct bags, wallets and accessories made entirely of natural materials, and they’re manufactured right here in SF — by them! It was a pleasure to have them showcase their brilliant products and share their perspective on brand identity. We’re itching to take a leather-working class with them, if they’ll have us ;)

PORTRAITS TO THE PEOPLE

How cool is this — Sarah Deragon of Portraits to the People used our DIY studio to provide headshots for the attendees!

After getting zhuzhed by a professional makeup and hair stylist, makers would get a chance to take a new headshot by Sarah, one of the top photographers in the Bay Area. Neat, huh?

THE FOOD!

Oh, did we mention the incredible food provided by SF favorite, Vive la Tarte? Tied for most delectable treat was this INSANE bacon-wrapped fig and an unbelievably satisfying creme brûlée tart — but we’re not playing favorites.

MAKER B-SCHOOL TOP TIPS

Didn’t make it to the stellar event this time? No worries! Lucky for you, our amazing designer Rosee Canfield compiled the makers’ top tips in a beautiful, printable card. Check it out!

Download it here and hang it in your work space!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about running your own business? Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo!

This post is a collaboration with Blurb.

Author: Maddie Bachelder
Photography: Brittany Griffin

In all honestly, all I look forward to during the holidays (other than my fam) is the pie. There's pumpkin pie. Apple pie. Chocolate pie. Sweet potato pie. But more than any other dessert, pecan piejust gets me. I'm salivating as I'm thinking about it!

Anywho... making an entire pecan pie can become a whole ordeal very quickly. That's where these delicious pecan pie bars from Chahinez with Lifestyle of a Foodiestep in. They're simple to make, plus provide the ideal eating experience – pecan pie bars easily qualify under finger foods, and they are downright addictive.

Let's get into the recipe!

Ingredients For Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Lifestyle of a Foodie

For the shortbread crust:

  • ½ cup butter
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon cornstarch

For the pecan pie filling:

  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 & ½ cup pecans chopped

How To Make Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Lifestyle of a Foodie

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 F, then line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, add in the flour, salt, cornstarch, and mix. Add in the cold butter and work it into the dough with your hand or a pastry cutter until cookie dough forms. Press it onto the prepared baking pan and bake for 20 minutes.
  3. In a separate large bowl, mix the eggs, brown sugar, light corn syrup, heavy cream, salt, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until combined. Stir in the pecan pieces.
  4. Once the crust is done baking, pour the pecan pie filling on top of the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes. The edges will brown a little, and the center will be barely jiggly.
  5. Remove from the oven, and let cool completely before transferring to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Slice the bars and serve.

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Recipe + photography by Lifestyle of a Foodie.

This post has been updated.

The rush of the holidays and planning the perfect holiday feast is no joke — finding the best Thanksgiving cocktails, roasting a delicious turkey and, of course, getting creative with leftovers — it all makes it hard to kick back and relax. We think you should find a moment for yourself (or with a few pals) and celebrate the wonderful flavors we love so much this time of year.

Instead of going for the tired pumpkin spice latte, think more along the lines of a boozyfall cocktail. Picture bourbon cocktails with cinnamon, caramel, apple… you know, all the autumn classics. We don't recommend sampling these Thanksgiving cocktails all in one night, but let's just say it'll be difficult to only choose one. We can't wait to try these Thanksgiving cocktails!

Brit + Co

Nespresso White Russian

Combining booze with coffee makes it somewhat more acceptable to knock one back during that late-morning, gathering-before-dinner time period, no? We love any excuse to get cozy with Nespresso, and this White Russian concoction will have you feeling all the warm, Thanksgiving-y vibes.

Brit + Co

S'moretini

Whether it's too cold to sit outside and snack on some s'mores, or you don't have a fire pit to roast marshmallows (although Gilmore Girlsdid show us how to use our stovetops...), this Thanksgiving cocktail is a great alternative to the sticky dessert. The chocolate andgraham cracker coating on the rim is just the cherry on top!

Brit + Co

Rum Toddy

This cocktail recipe is great because there's a good chance you already have the majority of the ingredients in your kitchen! Just put everything you need in a thermos, stir it up, and you're good to go. Not only will toddies keep you warm on cold days, but they're good for sore throats and fighting the chills if you're feeling a lil' under the weather.

Brit + Co

Cranberry Pear Ginger Fizz

Swap your cranberry sauce for a cranberry cocktail complete with ginger beer, pears, and limes. Make sure you keep some whole cranberries and rosemary sprigs for the finishing touch. Even if you've never made cocktails before, this drink is so easy that anyone can make it!

Brit + Co

Clementine Whiskey Smash

Sweet clementine juice and rich whiskey are the perfect match in this fun Thanksgiving drink, plus you can adjust the amount of whiskey that goes in depending on how strong you'd like the drink. Go easy for a fresh taste or add a bit more if you want something warmer.

Brit + Co

Wild Turkey Cocktails

Now, we know what you're thinking: "there is no way I'm drinking a cocktail that has turkey in it." But you don't have to worry because the 'wild turkey' in this recipe actually comes from Wild Turkey American Honey! Make one for an afternoon apéritif or an evening drink once the kids have gone to bed. Now the only question is, who let the (wild) turkeys out?!

Brit + Co

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

We're suckers for all things pumpkin spice, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge in a little PSL-inspired boozy bevvy. This Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is super easy to make — and even easier to devour.

Brit + Co

Cranberry Is The New Black Cocktail

From cranberry sauce to cranberry garlands, this red berry is definitely a holiday season staple – and now you can add it to yourbar cart! Think of this drink as an upgraded vodka cranberry, with a more sophisticated look. If you're not able to get black vodka, just sub black food coloring to achieve the same finished product.

Brit + Co

Chai Hot Toddy

If you're not a huge pumpkin person, then you have to try this spiced, creamy Thanksgiving cocktail while you wait for eggnog season. Your classic chai gets a makeover with some spiced rum and cinnamon-infused milk (YUM!) that give it a whole new holiday edge. You can also experiment with different spices and adding in a shot of espresso to change things up.

Brit + Co

Apple Cide-car Cocktail

As far as we're concerned, apple cider season should last all winter long. This easy cocktail only has four ingredients (apple cider, brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice) which means there's no excuse to not have this on your Thanksgiving menu! Need a simple alternative for the under-21 crew? Nix the alcohol, but keep the glasses for an upscale apple cider mocktail.

Brit + Co

Convergent Opera Cake Cocktail

This cold brew concoction is perfect for getting you buzzed in more than one way. It's the perfect after-dinner dose of caffeine you need to avoid a food coma, but it'll also give you all the Thanksgiving feels.

Brit + Co

Cranberry Zinger Jam Jar Cocktail

We love jam and we love cocktails, so why not put them together? This cranberry zinger (which is basically the queen of mixed Thanksgiving cocktails) will certainly make you feel all kinds of bubbly. All you gotta do is pour your favorite gin and cranberry juice over ice, and then top with a spoonful of your go-to jam. Top it off with ginger ale, and you're done!

Brit + Co

Pomegranate Ginger Beer Cocktail

Ginger has just the right amount of warmth to keep you toasty during holiday gatherings. This delicious ginger beer concoction will be a total crowd pleaser at all your Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving gatherings.

Wholefully

Two Ingredient Apple Cider Mimosas

If mimosas (especially apple cider mimosas) don't scream fall brunch, we don't know what does. Since it's only two ingredients, you don't have to worry about trying to put together a complex Thanksgiving cocktail recipe while also preparing dinner. Sounds like a win-win.

Dos Hombres Mezcal

Dos Hombres Hot Cider

Add 1 gallon apple cider, 1 tbsp whole allspice, 1 tbsp whole cloves, 1 sliced orange, 1-inch sliced fresh ginger, 3 cinnamon sticks, and 4 star anise to a pot, and simmer for about 30 minutes before adding 1.5 cups of Dos Hombres Mezcal to spike the sip!

Home & Plate

Salted Caramel Apple Martini

Martinis make us feel sophisticated and mysterious, but there's one thing that's no mystery: cocktail hour will never be the same after you serve this sweet, tart drink to your family and friends. All you *really* need is a little caramel vodka and apple cider, and you're good to go. Don't forget to chill your martini glasses beforehand to keep things cool.

JoLynn Shane

Apple Cider Mojito Recipe

Mojitos might usually be a summer drink for you, but the addition of apple cider makes this one of the best Thanksgiving cocktails you could sip on. The cinnamon simple syrup in this recipe is totally worth the extra prep time. This drink is also loaded with fresh mint and cinnamon sticks for a fall flavor combo you can't miss.

Joyful Healthy Eats

Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Everyone knows that what makes a Moscow mule a true mule is the ginger beer. Well, with this easy Thanksgiving cocktail, what makes it is the hard apple cider instead of the regular kind.

Inspired by Charm

Apple Pie Sangria

Apple desserts are a must-have during the holiday season, and this apple pie-inspired sangria might just become our top pick. This is the *perfect* Thanksgiving cocktail to put out in a big pitcher and sip on during dinner, while watching the football game, or even when you're stuck cleaning up dishes.

Baked by Rachel

Apple Cider Whiskey Smash

This is an ahh-mazing seasonal twist on a traditional whiskey drink. With just three quick ingredients (whiskey, lemon juice, and apple cider) you can even make a big batch of this Thanksgiving-y drink *before* the holiday whirlwind begins.

Cookie + Kate

Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour

We consider November 1 to be the official start of maple season. Even if whiskey isn't your thing, it might be after sampling this cup of Thanksgiving goodness. A little maple syrup goes a long way when you're working with this recipe!

Dos Hombres Mezcal

Dos Hombres Naughty Toddy

Mix together 1 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal, .5 oz fresh lemon juice, .25 oz honey, 1 oz whiskey, and 2 oz natural apple juice together before heating it up on the stove to make this Thanksgiving cocktail. Garnsih with a lemon wheel, and prepare to be warm AF.

Gimme Some Oven

Cranberry Margaritas

Cranberries might be reminiscent of Christmas, but cranberry sauce is basically a Thanksgiving delicacy… which is why we had to give this seasonal margarita our stamp of approval. The squeeze of lime and the salted rim puts this cocktail over the (very delicious) edge, and if you want to get extra fancy with it, there's also a recipe to make your own homemade cranberry juice.

Holly & Flora

Bourbon + Spiced Pear Cocktail

With herbs like sage and thyme topped off with allspice and cinnamon, we're totally in love with this unique Thanksgiving cocktail. Not only does the ginger liqueur give this drink a little kick, but including agave means that it's totally sugar-free.

Baker by Nature

Cranberry + Cinnamon Whiskey Sour

If you're really craving some sweetness, this is the exact drink you should go for. It calls for two cups of cranberries on top of two cups of sugar to yield four cocktails. It's safe to say you'll be perked up after just a few sips.

The Sweetest Occasion

Salted Caramel White Russian

This cocktail is creamy, sweet, and totally dessert-like, which makes it a great addition to post-dinner conversation. You could literally forget the pies and cobblers (but what's Thanksgiving without some pie?) and just drink this instead. Don't worry if you're dairy-free – just swap the caramel sauce for a coconut-based caramel instead.

Slow Cooker Spiced Wine

Okayyy – this warm drink gives us all the fall feels. Red wine and brandy warmed in a crockpot with spices and orange sounds like total heaven to us. Not to mention that you can leave this to simmer throughout the day, so your guests can help themselves and you don't have to worry about it! (viaWell Plated)

Domesticate Me

Spiced Cider Margaritas

For many, the lime margarita is a staple on Taco Tuesday, but maybe it's time to mix it up? We think YES. Cozy up by the fire with a glass of this spiced cider that's spiked with tequila and garnished with cinnamon sticks and apples. That — and the cinnamon sugar rim — sounds right up our alley.

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This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.