There's a whole lot of planning that goes into hosting a Thanksgiving feast: the turkey, the side dishes, the desserts, the drinks, the table settings, and many other day-of logistics. Although the food is the main event, with all the buttery mashed potatoes, salty green beans, and sugary pumpkin treats on your guests' plates, they'll definitely need something refreshing to wash it all down with. While Thanksgiving cocktails are fun for the adults in the room, everyone who's underage or sober will need to quench their thirst, too! To accommodate every age group and drinking preference, why not serve non-alcoholic options that everyone can (and definitely will!) enjoy?
If you're hosting a Thanksgiving brunch or luncheon, fuel your guests with pumpkin spice lattes for a long-lasting energy boost, or pull out your favorite punch bowl to bring some nostalgic flair to the celebration. For those of you who are feeling experimental and are looking for a new Thanksgiving tradition, you can even serve pumpkin smoothies as an accompaniment to the main menu! If you're on dinner duty, comforting sips like spiced cider or creamy hot chocolate will satisfy everyone's taste buds, whereas champagne-inspired punch or grape punch with cranberry-infused ice cubes will get your guests in a festive mood.
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Thanksgiving Punch
Antonis Achilleos
It's called Thanksgiving punch for a reason! This alcohol-free drink has a festive mix of seasonal fruit juices, which makes it the perfect sweet-yet-tangy complement to a savory turkey dinner. Garnish the punch bowl with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and sprigs of rosemary for a stunning display that'll double as décor.
Apple cider is a cozy drink that just screams fall, but a holiday as special as Thanksgiving calls for an elevated version of this seasonal staple. Enter: these slushies. Our recipe features all the warm spices and apple flavors of the original, but it's served icy cold for a clever twist.
Another frozen drink without alcohol that’ll make every mouth in the room water is this pumpkin-spiced milkshake, topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and pumpkin pie spice. This autumnal beverage will definitely enhance your Thanksgiving dessert table, but since all rules seem to fly out the window during the holidays, why not give the kiddos permission to indulge before the big feast?
A warm mug of hot chocolate is the coziest way to conclude the Thanksgiving festivities, no matter how old you are. For a decadent, extra creamy iteration, try Ree’s recipe. It calls on half-and-half and regular milk for the base, plus a hefty amount of white chocolate chips, a splash of vanilla extract, and a hint of salt. Garnish each glass with more white chocolate chips and a sprinkle of marshmallows for a heavenly, drinkable Thanksgiving treat.
Embrace the spiced flavors and fresh produce of the season by creating a mocktail infused with ginger and pomegranate. In this recipe, sparkling water gets a colorful and refreshing upgrade with grated ginger, muddled berries, and a splash of pomegranate juice. Go the extra mile with paper straws in holiday-inspired patterns.
Oranges enter their peak freshness in late fall, so why not use this citrus fruit in your non-alcoholic Thanksgiving drinks? While the frozen orange juice concentrate gives this beverage a sugary and tart taste, vanilla ice cream and milk make the texture smooth and creamy. Parcel out small sips in shot glasses for a pre-dinner treat or serve larger cups for an after-dinner dessert.
Another ginger-inspired mocktail that the whole table will love is Ree's Sparkling Ginger Lemonade. Adding a spiced twist to this childhood classic will make your Thanksgiving celebration nostalgic and seasonal. If you want to make your dinner table feel even more homey, pour these beverages into mason jars!
This cozy spiced cider will keep everyone warm and toasty on Thanksgiving. Apple cider and cranberry juice, plus lots of fresh citrus and spices make it crowd-friendly drink that's bright and balanced.
This punch is too good to enjoy only once a year. No matter if you're kicking off Thanksgiving festivities early or if you simply want to serve a festive drink all day long, whip up a batch of this punch. It's as tasty as it is pretty!
Nothing screams fall quite like a mug of warm mulled apple cider. "The smell is almost better than the taste," says Ree Drummond. Leave a big pot of it simmering on your stove for everyone to enjoy this Thanksgiving.
Don't let the name fool you! You don't need to use champagne in this fizzy drink. All you need is some extra lemon and orange juices and your favorite lemon-lime or club soda to make it bubbly.
This frothy hot chocolate is your favorite cozy winter beverage, but with a kick! Make a batch for Thanksgiving to enjoy as they relax after the big feast.
If there was ever a time indulge in a pumpkin spice latte, it's Thanksgiving. After all, you'll need some extra caffeine to stay energized all day. Don't panic if you're favorite coffee shop is closed; this recipe will show you how to make an even better one at home.
With just a few ingredients, this pretty punch is so easy to stir together. Make the cranberry and mint ice cubes the night before and then come time to serve, simply combine the white grape juice, seltzer, and lime. Drop in a few ice cubes for a punch of color!
Whether you slurp it up for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning, or sip on it as a snack while the turkey finishes roasting, this seasonal smoothie is a thick and creamy treat. Top each serving with some crushed graham crackers and a sprinkle of cinnamon!
There's something so nostalgic about a big bowl of punch at holiday gatherings. This punch is a true classic made with only three ingredients: ginger ale, cranberry juice, and raspberry sherbet.
A mug of this slow cooker hot chocolate may just be better than anything that's on the Thanksgiving dessert table. It's rich, creamy, and perfectly chocolaty. Plus, it's a hands-off drink that can be made up to three days in advance.
Cool Thanksgiving days call for a hot mulled juice to warm you right up! This drink is slightly tart and wonderfully sweet with a hint of cozy spice. With berries stirred in, it's like a drink and a snack all in one!