5 Easy Thanksgiving Drink Ideas

First things first, you need something easy that is non-alcoholic. Fruit-infused water is an excellent idea and I have you covered with four festive fruit water ideas below. Next, I like to have some bubbly water and will usually get a case of San Pellegrino and 1 or 2 flavors of Waterloo or LaCroix. I usually store them in my garage fridge to keep it all nice and cold and then bring out as needed. If the group is on the larger side, I’ll pull out one of our drink buckets, fill it with ice and put the cans and bottles in there about 1/2 hour before our guests arrive.

1. Four Fruit Infused Water Recipes

 

I always like to have a punch or easy make-in-advance drink that is easy to drink and easy to serve. This is something great to serve to tose who drink alcohol right away while they are snacking on appetizers, cheese, nuts, and other goodies.

I’ve got two Sangria recipes that are perfect for Thanksgiving, made with very little sugar, can be made in advance, and everyone loves! Let’s start with my Fall Harvest Sangria. Infused with apples, pears, citrus, and cinnamon, it screams Fall and is made with a base of red wine, which is very popular!

2. Fall Sangria

 

Next up is my White Sangria, this is made with a base of Vinho Verde and infused with pomegranate arils, pears, and lime. It’s a bit lighter than the red sangria and very pretty!

3. White Sangria Recipe

 

For Thanksgiving drink menus that call for a cocktail, I’ve selected two classics that everyone knows and loves but are turned up just a bit with a twist on the original recipes! Both of these can be made in advance, then shaken and served with garnishes to order! First, we have a lovely Cranberry Kombucha Cosmo. Cranberry Kombucha (GT’s is easy to find!) replaces the sugar-laden cranberry juice for low-sugar, probiotic packed cocktail that tastes amazing.

4. Cranberry Kombucha Cosmopolitan

 

Next up, we have a Cherry infused Manhattan. For this cocktail, we have used dye-free Maraschino cherries and cherry juice to infuse this Manhattan with the lovely flavors of crushed cherries. Add a slice of orange and serve shaken over ice, and you have a fun riff on a classic that is a festive way to start any Thanksgiving celebration!

5. Cherry Infused Manhattan

 

A few more tips to help you make sure that your Thanksgiving drinks are on point! Try to set up a drink station near the appetizers and snacks. I suggest picking a location close to where everyone is mingling, watching football, or playing games. You definitely do not want your drink station smack in the middle of the kitchen where the cooking and dinner prep is happening or it will create chaos.Be mindful of using linens and/or tablecloths under your drink bucket, ice bucket, and other chilled beverages as they usually sweat as they sit and that water can accumulate on your tabletops.

Last but not least, make sure you have backup batches of your drinks, extra ice, and garnishes.

I hope your Thanksgiving celebration is fantastic! xo Alyssa