The Perfect Drinksgiving Drinks
Whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving or not, Drinksgiving is an occasion everyone can get behind. Perfectly timed in the middle of the week, it's the ideal moment to unwind, sip, and savor. Whether you're gathering with friends or enjoying a quiet evening, these Drinksgiving drinks are sure to elevate the holiday spirit and keep the good times flowing!
1. Cranberry Gin Fizz
Fizzy, fruity, and refreshingly vibrant — sip into something special with your friends who are as bright as this drink.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup water
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
- ½ orange cut into slices
- 1 ½ cups gin
- 1 cup ginger beer or ginger ale
- Garnish:
- Candied Cranberries
- 4 mint sprigs
Instructions:
- Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; measure one cup of syrup, reserve and refrigerate any extra for another use.
- Heat the syrup to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Add the cranberries and simmer for 2-3 minutes until they just begin to burst. Remove from heat and let cool completely in the cranberry syrup.
- Reserve 3 of the candied cranberries per cocktail for garnish and set aside.
- Place 2 Tablespoons drained cranberries and 6 Tablespoons cranberry syrup in a large pitcher; add the lemon wedges and orange slices.
- Using a muddler or wooden spoon, vigorously mash the fruit.
- Stir in gin and let steep for at least 5 minutes.
- Strain into a medium pitcher.
- Fill 4 glasses with crushed ice and 1/4 cup ginger beer or ginger ale.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then pour half the cranberry mixture into the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 seconds, strain liquid into two glasses. Repeat.
- Mound additional ice on top of each glass and garnish with the candied cranberries and a mint sprig
2. Hot Buttered Rum
Indulge in a taste of nostalgia and raise a toast to good times and cozy vibes with this rich, comforting cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1 splash pure vanilla extract
- 1 dash ground cinnamon
- 1 dash ground nutmeg
- 1 dash ground allspice
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 4 ounces hot water
- Cinnamon stick, for garnish
Instructions:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Place the sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and spices into the bottom of an Irish coffee glass or mug and mix well or muddle.
- Pour in the rum and top it with hot water.
- Stir and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Serve and enjoy.
3. Big-Batch Cajun Lemonade
We're bringing out the ultimate crowd-pleaser for your drinksgiving! It's spicy, tangy and pleasantly flavorful.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (16 oz.) light rum
- 2 cups (16 oz.) citron vodka
- 1 (12-oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
- 1 tsp. hot sauce
- 1 liter club soda, chilled
- Crushed ice
- Lemon slices and sugarcane sticks, for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine spirits and lemonade concentrate. Stir together the first 4 ingredients in a pitcher.
- Add club soda just before serving.
- Pour mixture into 8 highball glasses filled with crushed ice. Garnish with lemon slices and sugarcane.
4. Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria
Celebrate with this crisp, fruity, and bubbling cocktail with holiday cheer – the perfect toast to good times and great company!
Ingredients:
- 1 lemon wedge
- 1/4 c. cinnamon-sugar
- 1 (24-fl oz.) bottle sparkling cider, chilled
- 1 bottle white wine, chilled
- 1/3 c. whisky
- 2 apples, thinly sliced, some reserved for garnish
- Cinnamon sticks, for serving
Instructions:
- Rim each of your glasses with lemon wedge and dip in cinnamon-sugar.
- In a large pitcher, combine cider, wine, and whisky. Add sliced apples and stir to combine.
- Serve into prepared glasses and garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.
5. Pumpkin Spice White Russian
If drinksgiving was served in a glass, this would be it. With just the right amount of indulgent, this is the perfect cocktail to enjoy with friends.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 3 Tbsp. crushed graham crackers
- 2 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. coffee liqueur
- 1 1/2 oz. pumpkin spice creamer
- Cinnamon stick, for garnish
Instructions:
- Make the rim: On a shallow plate, combine pumpkin pie spice and crushed graham crackers. Dip the edge of each glass in water, then into the mixture, coating the edge of each glass.
- Make the drink: Pour vodka and coffee liqueur into glasses filled with ice. Top with creamer. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.