If there’s one thing that all hosts can agree on this year, it’s that the holidays won’t be business as usual due to COVID-19. Whether you’re planning on hosting a virtual get-together with family or holding an outdoor celebration to reduce the risk of transmission, you’ve likely made some changes to your longstanding holiday traditions in the face of the pandemic. But that doesn’t mean all hope for an enjoyable Thanksgiving is lost.

2020 might have already canceled everyone’s plans, but it’s not too late to make the most of Turkey Day. With help from these Thanksgiving drink recipes, you’ll be too busy sipping on an invigorating mulled wine or martini to dwell on your worries. Without further ado, here are the best holiday drink recipes to help you survive Thanksgiving this year.

Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule

What’s Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce? When you whip up an Apple Cranberry Moscow Mule, you’ll give the classic side dish an extra punch that everyone will love.

To make this drink, you’ll need 4 ounces of vodka, a quarter cup of cranberry juice, half a cup of sparkling apple juice, two 7.5-ounce bottles of Q Ginger Beer and fresh cranberries for garnish.

Once you’ve gathered these ingredients, add ice to two large glasses. Pour the vodka and cranberry juice into each glass. Next, add the sparkling apple juice and fill the rest of each glass with ginger beer. Stir gently to combine and enjoy!

Apple Cider Whiskey Cocktail

One of the most popular Thanksgiving drink recipes, this cocktail puts a spin on traditional apple cider. Not only is making this drink extremely simple, but it’s also sure to boost everyone’s mood instantly at Thanksgiving dinner.

To perfect this cocktail classic, you’ll need fresh apple cider, Jack Daniels, real maple syrup, an orange slice and an apple slice or cinnamon stick for garnish. Begin by filling a cocktail shaker with ice, and then pour the cider, Jack Daniels and maple syrup into the shaker. After shaking the liquid, strain it into a cocktail glass. Finally, top the drink with an orange slice as well as a cinnamon stick or apple slice for garnish.

This recipe can be mastered in only a matter of minutes, making it the perfect last-minute drink to whip up before you bring out the turkey.

Spiced Cabernet

If you’re looking for delicious Thanksgiving wines, your search ends right here. Sipping on a spiced Cabernet is the perfect way to unwind after a full day of Thanksgiving preparations while getting in the holiday spirit.

First, gather a 3000-mL box of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 cup of sugar, 15 whole cloves, 2 small cinnamon sticks and 1 navel orange. Next, combine the Cabernet, sugar, cloves and cinnamon sticks in a non-reactive saucepan. Take the orange and slice it in half before juicing each half into a bowl. Once you’ve squeezed out all the juice, add both orange halves to the saucepan and heat over medium-low until it begins to steam.

To blend all the flavors, cook the mixture over low heat for about 30 minutes. Season with more sugar to taste and serve.

Pumpkin Pie Martini

To mimic the iconic Thanksgiving dessert, serve a pumpkin pie martini to your guests this year. This drink offers just the right ratio of sweetness and spice to take your family drink recipes to the next level.

To begin, assemble half an ounce of Stoli Vanilla, 1 ounce of pumpkin spice liqueur, half an ounce of Kahlua, half an ounce of butterscotch schnapps, half an ounce of half-and-half, crushed graham crackers and a cinnamon stick for garnish.

Next, find a cocktail shaker where you can blend your ingredients. Fill up the shaker with ice and add all of your liquids to it. After thoroughly shaking the mixture, strain it into a large martini glass rimmed with crushed graham crackers. For a festive touch, add a cinnamon stick to the drink as a garnish.

Citrusy Mulled Wine

Everyone loves a good mulled wine, especially during the holidays. One of the most timeless Thanksgiving drink recipes you can find, a citrusy mulled wine is the perfect way to add that finishing touch to your holiday spread.

To begin, you’ll need the following ingredients: 1 tablespoon of crushed green cardamom pods, 1 tablespoon of black peppercorns, 2 teaspoons of whole cloves, 3 cinnamon sticks, one 750-mL bottle of dry red wine, 1 cup of brandy, 1/3 cup of honey, 1 Bosc pear (peeled, cored and cut into a 1/4-inch dice), a lemon rind and 2 tablespoons of lemon or orange juice.

Place the cardamom, peppercorns, cloves and cinnamon into a medium-sized saucepan. Stir the mixture over medium heat for about 2 minutes or until it becomes fragrant. Next, add in the wine, brandy, lemon rind, honey and lemon or orange juice. Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat while stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting and simmer for 10 minutes.

After simmering, use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the mixture into a bowl and eliminate any solids completely. Next, return the entire mixture to your saucepan and add in the pears. Finally, simmer the liquid over medium to low heat for about 10 minutes. The goal is to ensure that the pears retain their shape but achieve a fork-tender consistency.

Make the Most of the Holidays With These Thanksgiving Drink Recipes

Before you start canceling your Thanksgiving Day plans due to COVID-19 restrictions, give these holiday drink recipes a chance. Each of our adult beverages gives you the opportunity to enjoy some of your favorite childhood flavors with an adult twist, such as apple cider, pumpkin pie, and cranberry. Of course, the only way to get a taste of these timeless flavors is to gather the right ingredients for all of these Thanksgiving drink recipes. So be sure to explore our wide selection of spirits to get started right away!