Our summary of 8 Thanksgiving appetizer and cocktail recipes will definitely set you up for the big day. If you’re worried about the turkey, try to distract your guests with these little beauties. French cheese balls, mini cheese balls, baked brie stuffed with cranberries, and baked feta and figs will make everyone happy. Of course, a fresh cranberry margarita also helps.
Did I ever tell you about the time I undercooked our Thanksgiving turkey? I think seriously undercooked? For example, made dinner two hours late and didn’t cook it right? Well I did, and my friends still won’t let me forget it.
The good thing is I had plenty of drinks and nibbles on hand. And nothing gets a group of hungry guests in a good mood like alcohol and small bites.
Aside from saving my butt, pre-dinner drinks and bites are a nice way to extend Thanksgiving. Let’s face it: People expect (request?) certain dishes on the Thanksgiving table: mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing, ice rolls, gravy, and some kind of cranberry sauce.
When it comes to appetizers and cocktails, you have a lot more leeway. Would you like to express your creativity? Do it! Would you like to serve a signature drink? Please!
Without the ingrained expectations of classic Turkey Day dishes, you can serve up something unusual that might become a tradition next year.
Baked brie stuffed with cranberries
This cranberry-filled baked brie is an easy holiday appetizer that combines creamy, melted brie cheese with sweet and tart cranberry chutney, all wrapped in puff pastry.
Recipe
Blue Cheese Balls
A party favorite, blue cheese balls are a lot easier for guests to navigate than a block of cheese while juggling a glass of wine with the other hand.
Recipe
When you have a special occasion with your family, like Christmas or Thanksgiving, you usually have to rush to finish all the side dishes and desserts. Being able to have some appetizers that can be prepared in advance and served at any time is what every hostess desires the most. This Blue Cheese Balls recipe is perfect for those occasions. Not only are they tasty and original, you can make them the day before and keep them in the fridge while you prep everything else.
Cinto f.
Cranberry Margarita
This cranberry margarita makes a great cocktail for any occasion, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a summer afternoon. The stirrers aren’t strictly necessary, but they add a nice touch.
Recipe
Sweet and tangy, Ina Garten’s Rosemary Cashews are sure to be a conversation starter. The inspired blend of cayenne pepper, brown sugar, rosemary and salt is perfectly seasoned and just salty enough to pair perfectly with cocktails.
Recipe
These cashews are easy and addictive! I loved them and so did my guests.
Virginia
Prosciutto Cheese Gougères
Recipe
Apple Pie Moonlight
This cider-infused cocktail of vodka, cider, lemon, ginger and spices is very strong but undeniably spectacular.
Recipe
Baked feta and figs
Baked Feta and Figs is an impressive and easy appetizer that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Sliced fresh figs are tossed in olive oil and feta cheese drizzled with honey. The whole thing is baked until it’s runny, melted and gooey and impossible not to scrape out every bite.
Recipe
With a convenient 5-minute turnaround time, this incredibly light yet decadent Baked Feta and Fig Dish is quick to make and immensely delicious. I substituted fresh blackberries for the figs but can’t wait to try again when figs are in season. Came out of the oven and the berries were bubbling in their beautiful purple juice but kept their berry shape. The feta was slightly puffed and lighter than air. So, so creamy!
Anthony T
Spiced Cider
There is hardly anything more beautiful in this world than combining warm apple cider and bourbon with a mixture of exotic spices on a cold night. The smell fills the room and more than a few of these will turn your head. Believe me.
Recipe
FAQs
Since you have a big meal planned, these are just meant as little bites to enjoy before the main event. Plan enough for each person to eat three to four bites of food. At most gatherings, this means offering two or three appetizers.
If you’re offering your guests a signature cocktail, it’s a good idea to have a non-alcoholic version available. Spiced cider can be produced in bulk and offered with or without alcohol. If you’re serving a champagne cocktail, also offer sparkling juice.
We know you have worked incredibly hard to organize and prepare the most anticipated meal of the year. The above cocktail and appetizer recipes are designed to help keep your hungry guests satisfied and away from your kitchen during those final moments of reheating the sides and carving your turkey.
Most of the time things don’t go to plan, and that’s okay. If you don’t have the time, oven space, or fridge space to whip up a unique beverage or make homemade appetizers, just lay out some chips and dip them in or skip a bag of spiced microwave popcorn taste good.