Whether you’re just putting the turkey in the oven, sitting down to enjoy your meal or winding down with some late night football, odds are this Thanksgiving you may have a drink in hand.
And with the family coming over plus the potential stress of the day taking control you might need something a little stronger than a glass of wine or beer. A flavorful fall cocktail can be the perfect pairing for any time during the day.
You want to make a hot drink for the parade at 9 a.m.? We’re not going to judge.
These five cocktails are simple and fitting for any version of Thanksgiving Day you celebrate.
1. Awesome American Coffee
The night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest party days of the year. You’re going to need some coffee in the morning, and it’s okay to just get back into it with some “hair of the dog.” Your family might give some shade and side-eye, but it’s gonna be a long day. You need this.
- 1.5 oz Brown Jug Bourbon Cream
- .5 oz coffee liqueur
- .5 oz (or your choice) of bourbon
- 6 oz of coffee
- Whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon
Combine everything is a coffee mug and garnish with whipped cream to your heart’s content.
2. Apple Dew
Beer and wine are great for the dinner, but this is a simple cocktail that you can use to impress your guests and give them a festive drink to put them in the mood.
- 1.5 oz Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey (any Irish Whiskey will do)
- 4.5 oz apple juice
- One lemon wheel
Combine whiskey and apple juice in shaker full of ice. Shake well and strain into glass. Garnish with lemon.
3. Hot Apple Pie 43
Some cocktails require a special trip to the liquor store to get the necessary ingredients along with a little extra effort to make a unique drink. This hot cocktail can be perfect while passing a football during the time it takes to cook the turkey.
- 1 oz Licor 43
- 3 oz apple juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon
A little extra effort: Heat the apple juice with the cinnamon stick. Add the Licor 43 and remove from the heat. Pour the drink into a mug and garnish with whipped cream and ground cinnamon.
4. Negroni (Boss’s favorite)
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Negronis are known as an aperitif and are traditionally served before dinner. Aperitifs are designed to help stimulate your appetite so there’s no better time than right before one of the biggest meals of the year.
- 1.5 oz London dry gin
- .75 oz Campari
- .74 oz Italian vermouth
Pour the gin, Campari and vermouth into an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with a twist of an orange peel.
5. Bailey’s Chocolatini
Eating dessert after the big meal is always a challenge, but you always push through. This year, try a sweet dessert cocktail instead of powering through a piece of pecan or pumpkin pie while fighting off the turkey coma. It’s simple and delicious.
- 2 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
- .5 oz Smirnoff Vodka
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
Combine the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and pour into a martini glass. Garnish the drink with some chocolate shavings.
While my Thanksgivings usually consist of a lot of beer and wine, I think I am going to try my hand at one or more of these cocktails for the rest of the family.
What will you be drinking on Turkey Day?
