How To Pair These 10 Spectacular Thanksgiving Cocktails with Dinner
Thanksgiving dinner is a well-crafted production in many homes. A well-thought-out menu covers everything from appetizers to Thanksgiving cocktails. Cocktail choices that either complement or perfectly contrast with the overall flavor profile of your meal.
This is not nuanced, intricate drink pairing. This is the drink pairing for the beginner host or someone who wants easy pairing ideas without having to do the heavy lifting.
Thanksgiving meals are often multicourse and vary across the board with flavors, so these cocktails are not going to perfectly complement every element. However, they will make great additions to your Thanksgiving menu overall. You can choose when and where to pair them in the course based on your preferences.
There are five general flavor profiles we will tackle, and for each one I’ll offer you a Thanksgiving cocktail recipe that either complements that flavor or contrasts with the flavor profile.
Your Thanksgiving cocktails will be decided by your menu choices and overall flavor profile. Spicy flavors will include black pepper, ginger, cayenne, and cinnamon, flavors that are warm on the tongue. Sweet flavors will include flavors like sweet corn, fruits, jams, honey, and glazes.
Acidic flavors will be your flavors with a bite, things like ginger or citrus, while smoky flavors will, of course, include flavors from smoke and char, but also some woodsy flavors.
Earthy and herbaceous flavors will include things like rosemary, sage, basil, cumin, etc. Of course, your meal can include flavors from more than one profile, in that case, either choose a cocktail for your most prominent flavor or look at the recipes and find a flavor in common that works with either profile.
Thanksgiving Cocktails & Pairings
Spicy
These cocktails will accompany recipes that have a bit of a bite. Spicy does not have to mean heat either, it includes things like black pepper or ginger!
1. Spiced Apple Paloma
For an option that complements the flavors of the meal, finding warmth in the flavors of the cinnamon syrup, go for this Spice Apple Paloma.
2. Pumpkin Spice White Russian
If you’d like something that contrasts with the bite and brings in some creaminess, consider this Pumpkin Spcice White Russian.
Sweet
For recipes that are sweeter in nature, maybe heavy in fruit flavors or sweet glazes, take a look at these cocktail recipes.
3. Caramel Apple Sangria
For a complementary option that is also easy to make in large batches, this Caramel Apple Sangria is easy and tastes amazing.
4. Apple Cider Margarita
If you’d like an option with a little bite that counters some of the sweetness, this Apple Cider Margarita balances the sweetness of apple with some tang from the fresh lime juice is your choice.
Acidic
If your meals have a lot of bright and acidic flavors, here are two options to either complement or contrast with your recipe.
5. Pomegranate Orange Spritz
This Pomegrante and Orange Spritz is bright and bubbly and sits very lightly on the tongue!
6. Fig Jam Bees Knees
This fun spin on the Bees Knees includes a sweet, mildy earthy fig jam that balances out the tang of the acidic notes.
Smoky
If your recipes are smoky, woodsy, and warm, these Thanksgivng cocktails are the ones for you.
7. Smoked Rosemary Bourbon Cider
To go along with the smoky flavors, consider this earthy Smoked Rosemary Bourbon Cider which has warm fall flavors throughout.
8. Apple Butter Old Fashioned
This fun twist on an Old Fashioned adds in a sweet and spicy apple butter to balance out the earthy and smoky flavors.
Herbaceous/Earthy
If your meal features more herb-forward flavors like rosemary and sage, these cocktails should be good options for you.
9. Brown Sugar Sage Paloma
If you’d like to lean into the earthy and herbaceous flavors, this Brown Sugar Sage Paloma picks up where your recipes leave off.
10. Pear and Ginger Margarita
For a contrasting cocktail that brings in some brightness to balance out the herbs, this Pear and Ginger Margarita is top knotch.
Thanksgiving menus take so much effort and curation, you shouldn’t leave your Thanksgiving cocktails up to chance. Hopefully there are at least one or two options here that work well with your menu and make for deliciouly festive tastings.
Courtnee is a historian turned recipe developer and food blogger passionate about all things eating and entertaining!
A Place To Bake was created out of the desire to have a place that simplifies cooking, baking, and hosting; I do the heavy lifting, you don't have to to lift a finger!
