The best non-alcoholic Thanksgiving drinks are warm apple cider, sparkling cranberry spritzers, pumpkin spice lattes, mulled grape juice and maple ginger fizz. They are easy to make in big batches, look festive on the table and suit kids, drivers and anyone skipping alcohol. Below are 15 Thanksgiving drink recipes, with ingredients, quick steps and tips for serving a crowd.
In this article
Quick Guide: Thanksgiving Mocktails and Drinks
| Drink | Serve | Main ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Hot spiced apple cider | Warm | Apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange slices |
| Cranberry orange spritzer | Cold | Cranberry juice, orange juice, sparkling water |
| Pumpkin spice latte | Warm | Milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, coffee (optional) |
| Mulled grape juice | Warm | Red grape juice, cinnamon, star anise, orange peel |
| Maple ginger fizz | Cold | Ginger beer, maple syrup, lime, ice |
| Apple cider sangria (alcohol-free) | Cold | Cider, sparkling grape juice, apples, pears, cinnamon |
| Pomegranate rosemary mocktail | Cold | Pomegranate juice, rosemary syrup, soda water |
| Hot chocolate bar | Warm | Cocoa, milk, toppings such as marshmallows and whipped cream |
Warm Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Drinks
1. Hot spiced apple cider
Simmer 2 liters (about half a gallon) of apple cider with 3 cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves and a sliced orange for 20 minutes. Keep it warm in a slow cooker and let guests ladle their own.
2. Mulled grape juice
Heat red grape juice with cinnamon, two star anise, a strip of orange peel and a spoon of honey. It tastes like mulled wine without the alcohol.
3. Pumpkin spice latte
Warm 2 cups of milk (or oat milk) with 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree, 1–2 tablespoons of maple syrup and ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Whisk until frothy. Add a shot of coffee for adults, or leave it out for kids.
4. Maple chai
Brew chai tea bags in hot milk and sweeten with maple syrup. Top with cinnamon.
5. Hot chocolate bar
Make a big pot of hot chocolate and set out bowls of mini marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed peppermint, caramel sauce and cinnamon sticks.
Cold Thanksgiving Mocktails
6. Cranberry orange spritzer
Mix equal parts cranberry juice and orange juice, then top with sparkling water. Garnish with fresh cranberries and an orange wheel.
7. Maple ginger fizz
Stir 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and the juice of half a lime into a glass of ice. Top with ginger beer (most ginger beer is alcohol-free; check the label).
8. Alcohol-free apple cider sangria
In a pitcher, combine 4 cups of apple cider, 2 cups of sparkling white grape juice, diced apples and pears, a handful of pomegranate seeds and two cinnamon sticks. Chill for an hour.
9. Pomegranate rosemary mocktail
Simmer equal parts sugar and water with two rosemary sprigs to make syrup. Mix pomegranate juice, a splash of syrup and soda water over ice.
10. Sparkling pear and thyme
Muddle a slice of ripe pear with a few thyme leaves, add pear juice and top with sparkling water.
11. Caramel apple float
Pour cold sparkling apple juice over a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel. A dessert drink kids love.
12. Cranberry lemonade
Stir cranberry juice into homemade or store-bought lemonade at a 1:2 ratio.
13. Harvest punch
Combine apple cider, orange juice, cranberry juice and ginger ale in a punch bowl with an ice ring of frozen cranberries and orange slices.
14. Spiced orange iced tea
Brew black tea with a cinnamon stick, cool, then add orange juice and a little honey.
15. Sparkling grape “toast”
Serve sparkling grape or sparkling apple juice in stemmed glasses so everyone can join the Thanksgiving toast.
Tips for Serving Drinks to a Crowd
- Batch it. Make one warm and one cold drink in large dispensers so guests can serve themselves.
- Plan quantities. A common rule of thumb is two to three drinks per guest over a long meal.
- Use a slow cooker. It keeps cider or mulled juice warm for hours without boiling.
- Make ice ahead. Freeze juice in ice cube trays so drinks do not water down.
- Label everything. Small cards help guests who avoid sugar, caffeine or dairy.
- Garnish simply. Cinnamon sticks, rosemary, cranberries and orange slices look festive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good non-alcoholic drink for Thanksgiving?
Hot spiced apple cider is the classic choice. For a cold option, a cranberry orange spritzer is easy, colorful and loved by kids and adults.
How do you make a Thanksgiving mocktail?
Start with a fall juice (apple, cranberry, pomegranate or pear), add something fizzy such as sparkling water or ginger beer, then flavor with spices, herbs or citrus.
Can I make Thanksgiving drinks ahead of time?
Yes. Mix juices and syrups the day before and keep them in the fridge. Add sparkling water or ginger ale just before serving so they stay fizzy.
The Bottom Line
Non-alcoholic Thanksgiving drinks make sure everyone has something special in their glass. Set out a warm cider, a sparkling cranberry spritzer and a fun kids’ option, and your table is covered. For more Thanksgiving ideas, visit The Urban Splatter.
