If there is one understated essential of a Thanksgiving meal, the pre-dinner cocktails are certainly it. The high-stress nature of the day aside—between the planning, the prep, and all the cooking, things can definitely get hectic—making sure your family and friends feel as at-home as possible is of the essence. Now, in order to avoid spending the pre-dinner hour glued to the bar cart, whip up a big-batch cocktail the night before instead. Not only will it allow guests to serve and entertain themselves, but you’ll be free to tend to your hosting duties. So, save the wine for the dinner, and serve up one of these mouthwatering cocktails instead. Here, a few of our favorite holiday punch recipes.
Minty Moscow Mule Punch
The best part of this recipe? You’ll likely have a majority of its ingredients laying around, from your Thanksgiving dishes: ginger, mint, brown sugar, to name a few! Prep the punch the night before and allow it to chill overnight.
For a drink that packs in a little punch, look no further. From the two varieties of rum and maraschino liqueur, to the fresh bitters and bounty of citrus, this spiced blend is dangerously refreshing.
Equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, this dazzling punch is further elevated by a bottle of fine rose. Throw in an ice ring, before serving, for a chilled touch. Yep, it doesn’t get easier than that.
Big-batch palomas? Sign us up! Comprised of only a handful of ingredients, it’s all about minimal effort for maximum impact. This crowd-pleaser certainly won’t disappoint.
What’s a party without sangria? This spiced version comes riddled with bold flavors—from the depth of the anise to the splash of brandy—and a unique medley of fresh herbs, which won’t go unnoticed.
This citrus-heavy concoction is both deliciously refreshing and loaded with flavor—we think the bundle of mint and freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice may have something to do with that. Slice up a variety of citrus to create a beautifully layered look in the punch bowl. Add in extra mint leaves for a colorful pop.
Get the recipe here.
Champagne Punch
From NYC’s famed Plaza Hotel, a punch recipe that’s equal parts elegant and refreshing. Fresh lemon juice and a tropical iced tea elevate this clever concoction.
A medley of citrus, a touch of pineapple, and an entire bottle of Dorothy Parker gin serve as the base of this ingenious blend, accentuated by a sweet framboise liqueur and a bottle of chilled Prosecco.