15 Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes to Liven Up Your Holiday

The turkey is in the oven, table is set, potatoes are mashed and all your guests have arrived. Okay, not for a little bit, but we're giving you some Thanksgiving recipes and ideas a little early this year. There's only one thing left to do and that's mix up a cocktail (that is, if you don't already have one in hand). A meal as special as your Thanksgiving feast calls for an equally special cocktail. Whether you're looking for an aperitif to wet your whistle or something to warm you up after a post-dinner walk or a nightcap, we've put together a few of our favorite libations. They're sure to wind up on your winter rotation. Cheers to these creative Thanksgiving cocktail recipes!

Apple, Ginger and Cranberry Vodka Cocktail

Refreshing and fizzy, this is the perfect drink to help you unwind after preparing your Thanksgiving feast. (via What Katie Ate)

Boozy Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate

This white chocolate spin on cocoa allows the flavor of the pumpkin to really shine. You’ll love the Kahlua and Bourbon variations — it may be hard to choose just one! (via Minimalist Baker)

Sparkling Pear and Cranberry Cocktail

Moscato d’asti is an Italian sparkling white wine and also happens to be the perfect topper for this seasonal cocktail. It’s sweeter than champagne and gives the pear a lift. (via Martha Stewart)

Punch Parker

This recipe comes from the Shanty in New York and combines all the good stuff. Think high quality gin, winter fruits, framboise, and finished off with prosecco. Prep the punch in advance and top off with the bubbly when your guests arrive. (via Food and Wine)

The Hibernating Honey Bear — Bourbon With Honey Sage Syrup

This is a delicious drink anytime, but we especially love it for anyone feeling under the weather. It’s the best tasting throat lozenge you’ve ever had. (via In Sock Monkey Slippers)

Mulled Wine

No cocktail says holidays quite like classic mulled wine. Make it in a slow cooker so you don’t have to babysit the stove. (via Gimme Some Oven)

Cider Rum Punch

A classic punch made of rum (of course), lemon juice, apple cider and spices, this one makes a great crowd pleaser. Make sure to include the pretty thyme and apple slice garnishes. (via Verses from My Kitchen)

Wild Turkey Cocktails

The bird won’t be the only turkey on the table this year. This very American drink blends Wild Turkey American Honey whiskey, cloves, cranberry sauce and oranges. It’ll heat you up like a warm blanket. (via Brit.co)

Apple Cider Mimosas

Kick off your morning with a boozy breakfast bevy, like this apple cider mimosa. They’re as pretty as they are tasty. (via The Cookie Rookie)

Caramel Apple Martini

This is not the apple martini of your college days. Fresh apples and apple cider get swirled with cinnamon and homemade caramel sauce — no artificial ingredients here. Plus, it’s a lot easier to eat than an actual caramel apple. (via Lexi’s Clean Kitchen)

Pomegranate Orange Sangria

Brandy meets cabernet in this seriously seasonal sangria. The powerful one-two punch gets answered with crimson pomegranate juice and fresh seeds. (via Completely Delicious)

Hot Apple Cider Buttered Rum Cocktails

This drink combines two of our favorite beverages into one glass. Enjoy by the fire for a sweet nightcap. (via Serena Bakes Simply from Scratch)

Pumpkin Pie Martini

Pumpkin pie in a glass? Yes, please! This creamy martini is full of spices, just like the dessert that inspired it. (via All Day I Dream About Food)

Red Nose Punch

We can’t decide what we love more — this cocktail or the festive frozen cranberry ring to go with it. It’s so pretty it will double as decor for your holiday table. (via Saveur)

Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail With Brandied Cranberries

The brandied cranberries are the stars of this show. Make a batch in advance and keep them around for an extra special garnish. (via The Little Epicurean)