Four Large-Batch Thanksgiving Cocktails
November 22, 2023
Whether you’re the one hosting or you don’t want to be the guest who shows up empty-handed to Thanksgiving, these large-batch Thanksgiving cocktails are sure to be a hit.
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is the feeling of community and togetherness. And what better way to foster a sense of belonging and good cheer with your friends and family than a large-batch Thanksgiving cocktail?
(Don’t you dare say therapy).
These four large-batch Thanksgiving cocktails are easy to make ahead of time and then display beautifully in a punch bowl or pitcher at your gathering so your loved ones can serve themselves whenever they’d like. Happy Thanksgiving.
Calling Card Punch
Featuring pear, gin, rosemary, lemon, ginger, sparkling wine, and cardamom.
This fall punch is elegant yet lethal. It features strong herbal flavors of rosemary, ginger, and cardamom that are softened by gentle notes of pear, and the combination of gin and champagne makes it a formidable addition to your Thanksgiving table. Serves 6-8.
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces of London dry gin
- 24 ounces of pear nectar
- 12-16 dashes of cardamom bitters
- 6 ounces of ginger liquor
- 3 1/2 ounces rosemary syrup (see instructions below)
- 6 ounces of fresh lemon juice
- Bottle of dry bubbly
- Cranberry, pear, and rosemary, for garnish
Instructions:
Add London dry gin and pear nectar to a punch bowl. Then, add cardamom bitters and ginger liquor. Next, add rosemary syrup (below) and fresh lemon juice (it has to be fresh). Finally, top it off with dry bubbly. Stir with plenty of ice, then add pear slivers, rosemary, and cranberries to garnish. Serve, and enjoy.
Rosemary Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- handful of rosemary
Instructions:
Bring the water to a boil. Stir in sugar until it dissolves. Add rosemary, and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Allow it to cool, then strain out the solids.
Large-batch Cranberry Ginger French 75
Featuring cranberry, ginger, gin, lemon, orange, and champagne.
A zesty, spicy, and vibrant large-batch version of the classic French 75 cocktail. Serves 6-8.
Large-batch Cranberry Ginger French 75 Ingredients:
- 12 ounces Empress Gin
- 6 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 6 ounces cranberry ginger syrup (see instructions below)
- 8 dashes orange bitters
- Bottle of sparkling wine or champagne
- Whole cranberries, ginger, and sprigs of rosemary, to garnish.
Instructions:
Start by adding your Empress Gin to a pitcher. Next, add the fresh lemon juice (it has to be fresh), cranberry ginger syrup (instructions below), and orange bitters. Fill your pitcher or punch bowl with ice (large cubes are best to prevent over dilution), then add a bottle of chilled sparkling wine or chilled champagne. Stir, garnish, and enjoy.
Cranberry Ginger Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup cranberries
- Handful of fresh, peeled, and chopped ginger
Instructions:
Simmer the water, and stir in sugar until it dissolves. Stir in cranberries, and simmer for 15 minutes. Then, add your ginger, and simmer for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow it to cool, then strain out the solids.
Cider Rum Punch
Featuring rum, cider, apples, lemon, and mulling spices.
This cozy autumnal large-batch Thanksgiving cocktail recipe marries fall spices, fresh tart apple, and warm rum. I make it every year, and it’s delicious enough to have made it into the Official TikTok Cookbook. Serves 6.
Cider Rum Punch Ingredients:
- 12 ounces Plantation Pineapple Rum (non-pineapple aged rum works well too)
- 10 ounces fresh, tart apple cider
- 5 ounces fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 12 dashes orange bitters
- 5 ounces mulling spices syrup (recipe below)
- A few handfuls of thinly sliced apples, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks, for garnish
- Plenty of ice
Instructions:
Add Plantation Rum, cider, lemon, bitters, and syrup to your pitcher or punch bowl (feel free to add more syrup if you prefer your punch sweeter). Fill with ice and stir 50 times to achieve ideal temperature and dilution. Garnish, serve, and enjoy.
Mulling Spices Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup mulling spices
Instructions:
Bring the water to a boil, and then stir in the sugar until it dissolves. Then add the mulling spices. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow it to cool, then strain out the solids.
Cranberry, Mint, and Champagne Punch
Featuring cranberry, mint, lemon, gin, and champagne.
A bright and beautiful large-batch French 75 variation ideal for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Serves 6-8.
Cranberry, Mint, and Champagne Punch Ingredients:
- 12 ounces gin
- 6 ounces cranberry mint syrup (see instructions below)
- 4 1/2 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 12 dashes orange bitters
- Ice
- Bottle of sparkling wine or champagne
- Cranberries, fresh lemon slices, and fresh mint for garnish
Instructions:
Add the gin, cranberry mint syrup, fresh lemon juice (it has to be fresh) and orange bitters to a punch bowl or pitcher. Fill with plenty of ice, top with a bottle of champagne (or sparkling wine), stir, and garnish.
Cranberry Mint Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 cup fresh mint
Instructions:
Bring the water to a boil, and then stir in the sugar until it dissolves. Then add the cranberries, followed by the mint. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow it to cool, then strain to remove the solids.
Traveling for the holidays? Check out Hannah’s travel series to discover new places to drink in your city: Drinking Wherever Bartenders Tell Me To.
Looking to expand your home bar? Here are some of Hannah’s favorite pieces of bar equipment.
Hannah earns a small commission if you purchase her recommended products through these links, at no additional cost to you. So, thank you!
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