5 Vodka Cocktails to Celebrate Thanksgiving

When you think of Thanksgiving, it’s the incredible aromas of cinnamon, cranberry, apple, pumpkin, and ginger that emanate from every Thanksgiving table.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of five vodka cocktails – featuring some of our favorite flavored vodkas – that embody the spirit of Thanksgiving… minus the turkey, of course.

1. Ginger Martini

When you’re racing around, setting the table and prepping that delicious Thanksgiving feast, easy drinks are a smart choice – no shaking, no blending. Woo-hoo!

A Ginger Martini is a drink made with two ingredients. But have no doubts, this drink is bound to impress your guests. Here’s how to do it:

• Mix 45 ml (1.5 parts) Absolut Citron (lemon flavored vodka) with a dash of ginger syrup in a mixing glass. 
• Add ice cubes to the mixing glass. 
• Stir until perfectly chilled and you achieve your desired dilution. 

Now that’s one elegant and aromatic Thanksgiving sipper. 

2.Appletini 

Ah! The aroma of green apples conjures images of fall apple orchards, making the Appletini a great choice for the holiday. Sweet, tart, and delicious, this classic cocktail carries an undeniable nostalgic charm. C’mon, it was HUGE in the 80s!

Here’s how to mix this easy-to-make cocktail:

• Pour 45 ml (1.5 parts) Absolut Vodka into a cocktail shaker. 
• Pour 25 ml (0.85 parts) lemon juice, 25 ml (0.85 parts) simple syrup, 20 ml (approx. 0.70 parts) apple liqueur, and 20 ml (approx. 0.70 parts) apple juice into the shaker.
• Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Now you’ve got a drink that’s guaranteed to be the apple of everyone’s eye.  

3. Falling Leaves 

How could you resist including a cocktail named Falling Leaves on your Thanksgiving menu? But it’s not just the name that makes it appropriate; it’s one deliciously citrusy drink. 

A Falling Leaves cocktail combines mandarin-flavored vodka with the tartness of cranberry and lemon juice, and a generous pour of cider. Best yet, it’s another drink where there’s no shaking or blending required – grab a highball glass and get mixing!

• Grab a highball glass and pour 45 ml (1.5 parts) Absolut Mandrin into the glass.
• Add 60 ml (2 parts) cider and 30 ml (1 part) sweetened cranberry juice. 
• Add 15 ml (0.5 part) lemon juice, and 10 ml (0.65 part) simple syrup. 
• Give everything a good stir. 
• Finish with a cinnamon stick to bring home those warm, cozy vibes synonymous with Thanksgiving.  

 4. Vodka Cranberry 

What would Thanksgiving be without cranberry sauce? We’ll go so far to say that if there’s just one ingredient synonymous with Thanksgiving, it’s cranberries. This makes the Vodka Cranberry an essential drink to serve. 

This extremely easy-to-make drink mixes 45 ml (1.5 parts) Absolut Vodka with 150 ml (5 parts) sweetened cranberry juice, served in a highball glass filled with ice cubes and garnished with a lime wedge. That’s it!

Fresh and tart, a Vodka Cranberry is the perfect complement to a Thanksgiving feast.

5. Pumpkin Pie Martini 

Last on our list is dessert…well, a dessert-cocktail to be precise. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving unless there was Pumpkin Pie, which makes the Pumpkin Pie Martini the ultimate cocktail to toast with on Thanksgiving.

You get the warm vanilla tones of Absolut Vanilia mixed with luscious creamy milk, a dash of fiery cinnamon syrup and a big dollop of pumpkin purée. Oh my!

Ready for a liquid slice of pumpkin pie?

• Grab a Boston shaker and add ice cubes.
• Pour in 45 ml (1.5 parts) Absolut Vanilia into the shaker. 
• Pour 30 ml (1 part) milk, two tablespoons of pumpkin purée, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon syrup into the shaker.  
• Shake, strain, sip and enjoy!

Here’s to a Happy Thanksgiving!