The Best Bourbon Cocktail Recipes For Thanksgiving

Bourbon is an All-American spirit. In fact, on May 4, 1964, Congress passed a resolution stating that Bourbon is “a distinctive product of the United States” and that no whiskey made outside the U.S. can be labeled or described as Bourbon. No other spirit has this designation. So, for the most American of all holidays, Thanksgiving, Bourbon should have a place at the table. Here is a list of the best bourbon cocktails for Thanksgiving.

To help you celebrate America’s only true spirit, here is a list of the perfect Thanksgiving cocktails with Bourbon as the star. This year, make a signature cocktail and add a little fall flavor. Find a bottle of your favorite Bourbon or rye whiskey and add signature autumn flavors such as pumpkin, maple syrup, cinnamon, and ginger beer to kick off the holiday season in style. Before you sit down to your Thanksgiving dinner, raise a glass and toast the cook with the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail.

Apple Cider Old Fashioned

We start this list with a twist on the most famous Bourbon drink, the Old Fashioned. This classic drink has a new twist with the addition of apple cider. The key ingredient in this cocktail is fresh apple cider, a good quality bourbon, pure maple syrup, and bitters (I would suggest Angostura bitters, which are the most common bitters; it is bitter and spicy, with hints of clove and cinnamon, perfect with the apple cider). Garnish the drink with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.

Apple Cider And Bourbon Fall Cocktail Recipe

All things have turned to fall, including this delicious cocktail. An Apple Cider and Bourbon Fall Cocktail is perfect for a brisk Thanksgiving. It is a lighter cocktail with lots of apple flavor and a hint of Bourbon. Here, the star is an apple cider reduction with a more intense flavor. Add a splash of ginger beer and a bit of maple syrup, and you have fall in a glass. Add a cinnamon sugar rim to the glass, adding a hint of an apple pie to this drink.

Maple Pumpkin Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

Nothing says Thanksgiving better than pumpkin and spice. This cozy cocktail brings together all the flavors of the holiday: pumpkin, spice, apple cider, and maple with a bit of Bourbon. Give this Maple Pumpkin Bourbon Cocktail a try this Thanksgiving. Even if you don’t like pumpkin pie, you will like this drink.

Bourbon Autumn Pear Cocktail

The Bourbon Autumn Pear cocktail is perfect; it’s not too sweet, has tons of pear flavor, and will kick off your Thanksgiving celebration just right. Pear is a flavor that is associated with fall. Here, the cocktail uses a Pear Hard Cider. Hard ciders are becoming easier to find, but the pear is still less available than an apple hard cider. There are several national brands that make pear cider, such as Angry Orchard. You will also need Bourbon, orange bitters, and a clove simple syrup. To make the simple syrup, combine equal parts water and sugar, throw in about a tablespoon of whole cloves, and heat on the stovetop until the sugar has dissolved.

Gold Rush Bourbon Cocktail

The Gold Rush Bourbon cocktail has only three ingredients: Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and honey simple syrup. But the flavors are unique, making it a great party cocktail. This cocktail easily makes a big batch, so it’s perfect for a large crowd. But you can certainly make them one at a time in a cocktail shaker.

To make honey-simple syrup, combine equal parts of honey and water in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the honey is thoroughly combined with the water—no need to boil or reduce.

Maple Bourbon Manhattan Cocktail

A Manhattan is always a special-looking cocktail, sophisticated and fancy. Grab your favorite Bourbon, a delicious maple syrup, and some sweet vermouth that is all you need for this fall cocktail. Oh, and remember the Luxardo cherries (you should only use the best for this cocktail). It is best served in a coupe or low rocks glass and keep the garnish simple. Classic cocktails don’t need a lot of extra embellishments.

Barreling South Bourbon Ginger Beer Cocktail

One of my favorite cocktail tricks is infusing alcohol with a flavor. And the best way I have accomplished this is by using a product called 1pt., which makes cocktail infusers. In this case, it adds flavor to the Bourbon and takes the drink to a new level. This refreshing cocktail combines Bourbon with ginger beer and fresh lime juice. It’s that simple.

The key to making this cocktail is to use the 1pt Barrel Blend infusion. This blend adds an infusion of wood and leather notes with subtle hints of island spices to the Bourbon.

Revolver Bourbon Cocktail

The Revolver is a twist on a classic Manhattan. This easy cocktail is also one that will impress your guests. Grab your favorite Bourbon, a coffee liqueur, and a dash of bitters, and you have an easy and sophisticated cocktail. Combine the Bourbon, coffee liqueur, and bitters in a cocktail shaker; add some ice and shake until it’s combined and cold. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass, and garnish with an orange twist; that’s all it takes.

New York Sour Cocktail

This cocktail is not only delicious, it is also beautiful and festive. The New York Sour cocktail is a whiskey sour topped with a splash of red wine. The key ingredients are a good Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup (or simple syrup, but the maple adds a nice flavor and isn’t too sweet), and a splash of dry red wine.

A little technique is needed to create this drink, but don’t worry, it is easy but makes it look like you are a professional. Carefully pour the red wine over the back of a spoon positioned just above the drink. It should create a layer of red wine on the top. Serve with a lemon twist.

Ways To Make Your Cocktails Holiday Worthy

Presentation is the key to making your holiday cocktail unique. A holiday drink should be a festive cocktail. The right garnish on the drink will help achieve that look. There are some simple tricks to creating an exciting garnish:

• Use a mandoline to make whole, thin fruit slices. The perfect example is slicing a whole pear on a mandoline to create the silhouette of the fruit. Or thin apple slices also look great!
• Use whole fresh herbs in your drink, a rosemary stem or a thyme sprig. One of the easiest ways to make a festive Thanksgiving cocktail is to use whole cinnamon sticks. Another great look is the whole star anise floating in the drink.
• When using orange peels or lemon peels as a garnish, be sure your fresh citrus is at room temperature; a warm peel is easier to twist and mold. Cut your peel into a thin strip, tightly wrap it around a toothpick, and create twists.
• Use your ice wisely; some drinks look better with one large cube, and the molds are easy to find and definitely elevate a drink. Other drinks, like the New York Sour, are better served with smaller cubes.
• Add a sugared rim to your glass. It’s easy and takes the look to a new level. It’s also a great way to add new flavors. Moisten the rim with a citrus wedge or maple syrup, then roll the edge in sugar. Add some cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the sugar for a fall twist.
• You can make many variations of simple syrup to switch up your cocktail. Try brown sugar instead of white granulated sugar. Add herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or citrus peel to impart citrus oils into the syrup. It is a valuable tool for making cocktail variations.

Start your turkey day with a signature drink; this list has some of the best Thanksgiving cocktails to serve. All of them are easy to make and include simple ingredients, and some can be made as a batch cocktail, making them perfect for a larger group. This time of year is perfect for a festive drink. Treat your guests to a Thanksgiving they will remember.