Tis the Friendsgiving season 🍂

Here’s a guide to hosting an unforgettable Friendsgiving cocktail soirée, with tips for easy entertaining and delicious drink recipes to elevate the gathering.

Let’s start with a mood board. When I host anything, I will undoubtedly start by making a mood board. I’ve always said your prep work is everything! Plus, there are so many routes you can take, especially for Friendsgiving. I’m actually thinking about hosting a Friendsgiving Chili Cook-off this year. So, really, figuring out your theme, decor, and style is so fun and important to the planning process.

Tablescape mood board, candles everywhere, Martha Stewart home - it’s all the vibe

Now, the cocktails mood board—even I will create a mood board to figure out the flow of cocktails. I mean, Dirty Martinis in a silver martini glass or an old-fashioned over a clear cube are always the mood.

Notes: Negronis on a serving tray, mulled wine on the stove, pumpkin ice buckets

Thanksgiving Cocktail Host Shopping Guide

From seasonal mixers and festive glassware to fun garnishes and top-shelf spirits, this guide has everything you need to craft unforgettable drinks. Shake up your hosting game and make this holiday extra special—one delicious sip at a time!

Shop AMAZON

Shop the LTK post from sites like Williams Sonoma, CB2, & more!

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Friendsgiving Cocktail Recipes

Here are a few cocktail ideas that capture the flavors of fall and are sure to impress your friends.

A brunch Friendsgiving:

Apple Cider Mimosa

Ingredients:

• 3 oz apple cider (chilled)

• 3 oz champagne or prosecco (chilled)

• Apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pour apple cider into a champagne flute, filling it halfway.

2. Top with champagne or prosecco.

3. Garnish with a thin apple slice and a cinnamon stick

Spiced Pear Bellini

Sweet, spiced, and oh-so-elegant, a Spiced Pear Bellini adds a refined touch to brunch.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pear purée (or pear juice if you can’t find purée)

• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

• Prosecco or champagne

• Pear slice and rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a flute, add the pear purée and a dash of cinnamon.

2. Slowly top with prosecco or champagne, stirring gently to combine.

3. Garnish with a pear slice and rosemary sprig.

An Appetizer Friendsgiving:

Apple Cider Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio work well)

• 1 cup apple cider

• ½ cup brandy, cognac plz!!

• 1-2 apples, thinly sliced

• 1 orange, sliced

• Cinnamon sticks

• Sparkling water, to top

Instructions:

1. In a large pitcher, combine the wine, apple cider, and brandy.

2. Add apple and orange slices, along with cinnamon sticks.

3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, then top with sparkling water for a bit of fizz before serving.

A traditional Friendsgiving:

Cranberry Spice Mule

A seasonal twist on the classic Moscow Mule with tart cranberry and warm spices.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka

• 3 oz cranberry juice

• 1 oz lime juice

• Ginger beer, to top

• Cinnamon stick and fresh cranberries for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a mule mug or highball glass, combine vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.

2. Add ice, then top with ginger beer.

3. Stir and garnish with a cinnamon stick and fresh cranberries.

Maple Old Fashioned

A twist on the Old Fashioned with the comforting sweetness of maple syrup.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon

• 1/2 oz maple syrup

• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters

• Orange peel and rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a rocks glass, add the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters.

2. Add ice and stir until well-chilled.

3. Express the oils of an orange peel over the drink, then garnish with the peel and a rosemary sprig.

A pie filled Friendsgiving:

Pumpkin Pie Martini

This creamy, spiced martini tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass. Perfect for pumpkin lovers!

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz vanilla vodka

• 1 oz Pumpkin Pie Cream, or Irish cream liqueur

• 1 tbsp pumpkin purée

• 1/2 oz maple syrup

• 1 dash pumpkin pie spice

• Whipped cream and cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker with ice, combine vodka, Irish cream, pumpkin purée, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice.

2. Shake well until chilled, then strain into a martini glass.

3. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini

Rich and decadent, this espresso martini combines chocolate and hazelnut flavors for an elevated after-dinner drink.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Dark Rum

• 1 oz hazelnut liqueur (like Frangelico)

• 2 oz espresso (chilled)

• 1/2 oz chocolate liqueur

• Chocolate shavings for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker with ice, combine rum, hazelnut liqueur, espresso, and chocolate liqueur.

2. Shake until frothy and chilled.

3. Strain into a chilled martini glass and top with chocolate shavings.

Hosting Tips to Keep It Fun and Easy

• Use Simple Glassware: Stick with a few basic types of glasses to simplify cleanup. Rocks glasses and stemless wine glasses are versatile enough for most cocktails and can double as water glasses.

• Create a Playlist: Set the mood with a playlist that reflects your Friendsgiving vibe—something upbeat yet chill is perfect for a cozy, friends-only gathering.

• Prep Ahead: To make sure you enjoy Friendsgiving as much as your guests, prepare as much as you can in advance. Set up your drink station, prep garnishes, and make any batch cocktails ahead of time.

Here’s to the most thankful season of them all

Have questions about hosting this year? Send them below!!