Thanksgiving Drinks & co*cktails (2024)

FAQs

What are traditional Thanksgiving drinks? ›

Historical Connection — Apples and cider are synonymous with the fall harvest. As the most popular drink in the colonies, ciders most certainly were served at Thanksgiving dinners throughout the colonies.

“The Pilgrims drank water,” she says. “They drank it at the first Thanksgiving, they drank it every day.” The Pilgrims had reasons other than the lack of beer, she notes, for cutting their voyage short.

Probably the most appropriate co*cktail—both in name and flavor profile—for a full-course turkey dinner is the Thanksgiving co*cktail. No matter which seasonings you use, the combination of dry gin and vermouth, sweet apricot brandy, and lemon juice pair perfectly with a savory turkey.

Rakı or raki (/rɑːˈkiː/, Turkish pronunciation: [ɾaˈkɯ]) is an alcoholic beverage made of twice-distilled grape pomace and flavored with aniseed. It is the national drink of Turkey. It is popular in many Mediterranean countries and is often served as an apéritif or with seafood or meze.

Despite being cold, boza is popular in winter as it's thick, rich and comforting. Raki is Turkey's national drink. Made with twice-distilled grapes and flavored with aniseed, the taste can be compared to Greek ouzo or sambuca.

Wine is overwhelmingly the drink of choice to accompany the Thanksgiving feast. 63 percent of respondents stick to wine, with more than half of them serving red wine with dinner.

Apart from whiskies or vodkas, you can also carry the Grand Marnier Liqueur. You can surprise your party hosts by going beyond their expectations and presenting them with the most prestigious and superior liqueur.

What is the most popular Thanksgiving drink? ›

Think: pumpkin drinks, apple cider co*cktails, and cranberry recipes. Even the classic co*cktails have a Thanksgiving twist, like the cranberry thyme gin and tonic and the apple cider sangria. If sweet drinks are more your speed, try the pumpkin pie martini that doubles as a Thanksgiving dessert.

Thankful Toasts

Wine was the beverage of choice for Americans during Thanksgiving, maybe because time is being spent sitting around a table of food rather than partying with the intent of getting drunk.

Eggnog. What would the holidays be without this quintessential creamy co*cktail? Although it's ripe for experimentation, the classic recipe calls for eggs, sugar, whole milk, heavy cream, and your choice of bourbon, brandy, or rum. A batch is guaranteed to spread joy at any holiday gathering.

Local bartenders say the day before Thanksgiving, known as Drinksgiving or Blackout Wednesday, is the busiest drinking day in America beating out traditional drinking days such as New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo.

White Wines

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling are excellent choices to accompany your turkey dinner. Sauvignon Blanc is a light and citrusy wine that compliments turkey well, as it doesn't overpower the dish's flavor. Chardonnay is a more robust white wine featuring notes of vanilla and butter.