Seasonal Mixology Inspiration from Liquid Lab NYC
Thanksgiving may be all about the turkey, but let’s be honest — mixologists know the real stars of the holiday table are the seasonal ingredients that practically beg to be turned into cocktails. Tart cranberries, fragrant rosemary, pumpkin spice, maple syrup, apple cider, warming ginger, and fall citrus all shine brightest this time of year. These flavors don’t just taste like Thanksgiving — they feel like Thanksgiving: cozy, nostalgic, and unapologetically indulgent.
At Liquid Lab NYC, we treat Thanksgiving as the perfect excuse to get creative behind the bar. Seasonal produce like pears, ginger, sage, vanilla, cranberries, sweet potatoes, and toasted pecans add depth and warmth to cocktails in a way no store-bought mixer ever could. Whether you’re hosting Friendsgiving, marathon-cooking for family, or simply sneaking in a liquid escape between oven timers, these fall-forward ingredients elevate any gathering. And remember — calories consumed on Thanksgiving don’t count… unless you tell your doctor. So maybe just don’t.
Below are three of our favorite Thanksgiving-inspired cocktails, featuring holiday ingredients that will earn a permanent spot at your table.
🍹 The Plymouth Cranberry Smash
(On the Rocks)
In the glass side of your shaker, add:
- 2 oz Spiced Rum
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- ½ oz Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- ¼ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1–2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Method:
Shake vigorously and strain into an iced rocks glass.
Garnish: Rosemary sprig + skewered cranberries.
🍸 PUMPK Up the JAM
(Martini)
In the glass side of your shaker, add:
- 1 bar spoon Apricot Jam
- 2 oz Vodka
- ½ oz Cream
- ½ oz Pumpkin Spice Vanilla Simple Syrup
- 2 Dashes Allspice Bitters
Method:
Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe.
(Optional: rim the coupe with crushed graham cracker before straining.)
Garnish: Freshly grated nutmeg.
🥃 Harvest Old Fashioned
(Neat or On the Rocks)
In your stirring glass:
- Muddle 1–2 brown sugar cubes with 1 bar spoon cherry preserves
- Add 2 oz Bourbon or Rye
- 1 Dash Orange Bitters
- 2 Dashes Walnut Bitters
- Add 1 cinnamon stick
Method:
Stir until chilled, then strain into a rocks glass (neat or over ice).
Garnish: Expressed orange twist.