Thanksgiving Cocktail

If you’re looking for the best Thanksgiving drink, you are going to love this hard apple cider. Treat your friends and family to spiked apple cider this year.

I love a good cocktail after Thanksgiving dinner. And, if you’re wondering what you’ll serve, you might want to consider this easy melon cocktail as well.

You can enjoy this hard apple cider the night before Thanksgiving. Or, you can serve it to your guests with dinner.

It’s both sweet and tangy and the delicious apple flavor is the perfect side to turkey and all the fixings. Learn how to make hard apple cider.

How to Make Hard Apple Cider

• Apple cider
• Rum
• Ginger beer
• Cocktail glasses
• Ice

You can serve this drink in whatever type of glass you have. But, I prefer a single rock glass. These glasses hold between 8 and 10 ounces with ice which makes them the perfect size.

It’s a nice heavy-bottomed glass so it feels balanced when you hold it. But, as I mentioned, you can drink it in any type of glass you have on hand.

Thanksgiving Drinks for a Crowd

This recipe makes enough for two drinks. If you want to make cocktails for a crowd, you can easily double or triple the recipe.

Then, simply mix the ingredients in a carafe. And, serve it in a small ice bucket so everything stays cold. Add ice right before serving it so it doesn’t get diluted.

What are the best garnishes for hard apple cider?

I love adding a slice of fresh apple and a cinnamon stick. But, you can also wet the rim with cider and then dip it in cinnamon and sugar if you prefer.

It makes your Thanksgiving cocktail look a little bit fancier when you serve it.

Hard Apple Cider Variations

If you want to change up the flavor a little bit, here are a few suggestions:

• Add a splash of vodka for an apple cider mule.
• Combine apple and cranberry juice for a delicious fall drink.
• Instead of serving over ice, warm the drink slightly and serve it in a mug.
• Add a sprig of rosemary with the apple instead of cinnamon.

Does my hard apple cider need ice?

No, ice is completely optional. Because some people prefer to drink this straight. This Thanksgiving drink recipe makes enough for two drinks with ice. So, if you’re not going to add ice, look for a smaller glass.

Can I make this Thanksgiving drink ahead of time?

Because this Thanksgiving cocktail includes ginger beer, you don’t want to make this up too far ahead of time. Otherwise, the fizz will go out of the beer.

If you want to save a few minutes, you can mix the other ingredients together. Then, at the last minute, you can add the ginger beer so it keeps its fizz.

It will still taste delicious without the fizz, but it’s best if you add the ginger beer right before you serve it.

Related Recipes

• Potluck Thanksgiving
• Overnight Turkey Brine 
• Garlic & Thyme Roasted Carrots
• Roasted Potatoes
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe