Thanksgiving Cocktails

With the holiday season drawing near, I have been trying to come up with some cozy cocktails to enjoy as I celebrate the season with my family and friends. Using recipes for each of these drinks, I’ve adapted the recipe to fit the flavors of the fall and make drinks that I know my family and I will love. These drinks are fun, comforting, and most importantly, delicious. No matter what you are celebrating this season, these cocktails are the perfect addition to any family gathering, party with friends, or a cozy night in.

All of these drinks are easily adaptable to your own personal preferences. I’ve noted places where there can be variation in the amount of an ingredient by giving a range, but of course as with all cooking or creating, it should always be done to your own personal liking. Especially a cocktail, since you’re making it for yourself to enjoy! And if you’re serving these to guests, each time you shake up a new drink you can change the amount of each ingredient to customize it to exactly how your guests like it. 

Caramel Apple Martini

• 3/4 ounce caramel vodka

• 3/4 ounce green apple vodka

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

• 1 - 2 ounces apple juice or cider

Combine all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until combined and cold, then strain into a martini glass and garnish with apples or a cinnamon stick. 

This is absolutely not a traditional martini, but as someone who isn’t usually a martini fan, this take on a traditional appletini is one that I would happily enjoy! It does require some flavored vodkas, but you could easily get the same flavors by using plain vodka and adding more maple syrup and apple juice for the caramel apple flavor. It may be a more subtle flavor that way, but that might be what you’re looking for! Whichever way you make it, if you’re looking for a drink that tastes like a caramel apple, this is the one for you. 

Recipe adapted from A Couple Cooks

Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned

• 1 1/2 - 2 ounces bourbon

• 1 tablespoon pumpkin purée

• 1 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup

• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

• 1 dash bitters

Combine all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until combined and cold, then strain into a glass with ice (ideally a large square ice cube!) Top with additional cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice if desired.

This is such a fun seasonal twist on a very classic drink. I tend to enjoy drinks that are on the sweeter side, so a typical old fashioned is not really up my alley. However, by adding the pumpkin, maple syrup, and spices, the drink gets a little sweeter and cuts through the strong taste of bourbon. If you like the taste of bourbon, add a little less maple syrup and the bourbon flavor will be sure to shine through.

Recipe adapted from Celebrating Sweets

Autumn Spice Hot Buttered Rum (serves 4)

• 6 - 7 ounces spiced rum

• 4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter

• 1/3 cup dark brown sugar

• 3 - 4 tablespoons maple syrup

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 - 3 whole star anise

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon orange zest

• 2 - 3 cups boiling water

In a small bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt, spices, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Once the mixture is combined, transfer to a heatproof bowl or measuring cup. Boil the water with the whole star anise to infuse the flavor into the water. Add rum and boiling water to the bowl with the butter mixture (add less water if you would like a stronger drink, or more water if you do not want it to be as strong). Whisk the ingredients together until the butter mixture is fully dissolved. Pour the buttered rum into a serving glass or mug and top with whipped cream. Garnish with cinnamon and more orange zest, then serve while hot.

Hot buttered rum - truly such a delicious and warming winter drink. This is the perfect cozy cocktail to sip as you’re gathered around the fire with your family or friends. It is also a great party drink, as it can be made in a big batch to be served to all of your guests. I love adding orange zest to this drink - I think it adds such a nice brightness that helps to cut through the warming spices. I would absolutely recommend topping this with whipped cream too. If you have ever had butterbeer from Harry Potter World at Universal Studios, the whipped cream on top of this drink makes it taste similar to butterbeer (which is SO GOOD).

Recipe adapted from Liquor.com

Maple Bourbon Milk Punch

• 1 1/2 - 2 ounces bourbon

• 3 ounces milk

• 1 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until combined and cold, then strain into a glass. Top with more cinnamon or nutmeg and serve.

Milk punch is something that I had never heard of before about a year ago. My fiancé had come across the recipe and thought it sounded good, so he made some for us and we ended up really enjoying them! It is a very simple drink to make that requires ingredients that you probably already have on hand. I used low-fat milk since that is what I had, however, if you drink dairy I would recommend whole milk as it is creamier. You can also easily adapt this to your dietary preference by subbing the milk for a milk alternative, such as almond milk. This might sound strange to add milk into a cocktail, but when you think about it, this is basically just a less thick version of spiked eggnog. I personally love eggnog, but if you are not a fan of the ultra-thick creamy texture of eggnog, this might be the perfect holiday drink alternative for you.

No matter what you’re up to this holiday season, be sure to have fun and enjoy the time with your loved ones. If you decide to make any of these drinks, be safe, and I hope you love them as much as I do. Cheers!