Thanksgiving Cocktail Hour: 9 Turkey Day Cocktails To Impress Your Guests

There's a reason why serving cocktails at Thanksgiving dinner is as easy as pie: think of all the ingredients already in the kitchen. You've just made your shopping trip to buy pumpkin, cranberries, nutmeg, cinnamon, sage, and the works — and once you've basted the turkey and put the pies in the oven, you have all the fixings for a perfectly fall cocktail. (But really, a word of advice: don't try sneaking the pumpkin until after the pie has been made. No need to make Mom and Grandma freak out that there's not enough for their dishes — they've worked hard enough.)

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This batch of cocktails celebrates the end of the fall ingredients as we look ahead to the holidays. And boy, do we have a lot to be thankful for: a Cranberry Caipirinha that's as sweet as can be, a Hot Toddy to warm us up on a cold night, and even a drink to keep Grandma (and the rest of the adult family) calm. While some may have had their fill of pumpkin cocktails from Halloween, we still can't get enough of the orange stuff. With the right amount of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cream, a pumpkin cocktail is somewhat of a final salute to fall.

Save the wine bottles and beer for later, and start your festivities right with a liquored-up libation. With the right people, the right ingredients, and the right mood — after all, it is a day of thanks — a Thanksgiving cocktail can be the highlight of the day. (Except for that stuffing, maybe.)