Thanksgiving is a time for good food, friends and family. But it can be a test for those who travel or are at the helm of the cooking process.
This year, our consumer experts decided to lighten the load and recommend the best pre-mixed cocktails that taste great but are ready with minimal effort.
Here’s our pick of the 8 best drinks from around the US that are sure to make your holiday extra special.
Via Carota Craft Cocktails, Espresso Martini
When the king is in London, the flag flies at Buckingham Palace. When Taylor Swift is in New York, expect a frenzy on Via Carota.
Now you can recreate some of the Italian restaurant magic at home with their pre-mixed craft cocktails. The Espresso Martini tastes as fresh as if it was prepared behind the West Village bar itself.
Individual 375ml bottles of the Negroni, Espresso Martini and Old Fashioned – four of which are served – retail for $39 at drinkviacarota.com.
Bulletit, Manhattan
Bulleit whiskey is a staple in many home drinks carts. The brand’s latest attempt to create packaged cocktails from beloved whiskey favorites Manhattan and Old Fashioned is a roaring success. With sleek packaging – which is easy to transport to friends and family this Thanksgiving – these cocktails will find a welcome glass on many tables this season.
The Old Fashioned and Manhattan 375ml bottle is available for $19.99 at major liquor stores or online through instacart.
Hudson Valley Distillers: Wild Berry Mule and Bourbon Sidecar
These beautifully packaged cocktails using only natural ingredients can be ordered online from the quaint brewery in upstate New York, or found at select wine and spirits stores throughout New England.
The Wild Berry Mule offers seasonal flavors and a real vodka kick. It is best served over ice with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
The brand’s take on a traditional sidecar – with bourbon instead of cognac – is sweet and flavorful. It’s perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif or when you fancy something a little more decadent.
Cocktails sell for $16 per 375ml bottle, serving four people.
Mammoth Distilleries, Cherry Bounce
After a home brewing disaster, our experts chose to find a ready-to-drink version of this seasonal cocktail.
Mammoth Distilleries in Michigan have created an excellent version of this farmhouse tradition. They offer both a whiskey and vodka option. The cherries are harvested in mid-summer, so there is plenty of time to put together the concoctions and macerate them perfectly in time for the holidays.
A 750ml bottle of the Cherry Bounce costs $40.04, while the same size of the Bourbon & Bounce costs $31.79.
Available online at Mammothdistilling.com and at all spirits stores in Michigan.
High West, old-fashioned
High West Distillery’s Old Fashioned is a perfect drink for whiskey lovers this Thanksgiving.
This premium cocktail is aged in used rye barrels at the distillery’s Utah location, giving it a well-rounded, rich flavor.
Both bourbon and rye whiskey are included in this cocktail, bringing together both sweeter and drier flavors.
A 375ml bottle of the Old Fashioned Barrel Finished Cocktail is available on the company’s website for $22.99.
Free spirits, non-alcoholic Margarita
No alcohol, no problem! Free Spirits offers a fantastic non-alcoholic margarita, made with its signature tequila alternative.
Although it doesn’t taste exactly like the real thing, it still manages to mimic the smoky, full-bodied and fragrant taste of tequila. Plus, it even contains a natural ingredient from chili peppers to simulate the warming feeling of alcohol on a cold evening.
A pack of four 250ml cans costs $15.99 and is available on the Free Spirits website.
Walking Bartender, Gin Old Fashioned
Located in a bar and “cocktail laboratory” in a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood, The Wandering Barman offers a wide variety of handcrafted and experimental cocktails.
The old-fashioned gin is a fresh take on the classic cocktail, with cucumber, elderflower and celery bitters. It’s sweet but refreshing – perfect when you need something light after a long day of Thanksgiving indulgence.
The brand currently ships to Arizona, DC, Kentucky, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire and New York.
The Gin Old Fashioned costs $4.99 for an individual 100ml bottle.
Jose Cuervo, Mistletoe Margarita
For those who prefer tequila, Jose Cuervo’s pre-mixed margaritas, which come in a variety of exciting flavors, are an easy and affordable option.
This year the Mistletoe Margarita is ideal for those who want to get into the Christmas spirit. The drink is also available in Strawberry Lime, Mango or a classic lime flavor.
Mistletoe Margarita costs $17.99 for a 1.75 liter bottle. It is available online and at major retailers such as Wine & More.