Thanksgiving may be a holiday that is dominated by the food, but perhaps the most important compliment to the festive feast is nothing better than a cocktail.  

Not only do these drinks matter because we're finally old enough to sit at the grown-up table and act like adults, but because the holidays, as wonderful as they are, can also be a stressful time as well, and sometimes, a cocktail will be needed as the conversation around the dinner table turns to those very controversial topics...like politics and a certain presidential election which just happened, or even worse, the constant questions from older relatives about why you haven't yet settled down and have kids.  

So no matter what conversation topic occurs to make alcohol necessary, make sure to have some of these 10 festive holiday themed recipes on-hand (this way, no one can fault you for drinking so much either, because at least you're doing it for the sake of Thanksgiving spirit):  

Autumn Sangria: 

This 4-ingredient recipe from The Flair Exchange consists of red wine, apple cider, chopped apples and cinnamon sticks for garnishing 

Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider:  

From Vindulge, this consists of apple cider, a cinnamon stick, orange juice, whole cloves, anise and of course, bourbon  

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail: 

Tyler Florence is the one to thank for this refreshing drink, which consists of sweetened cranberry juice, champagne or sparkling wine, frozen cranberries and a lime wedge  

Cranberry Cinnamon Cocktail: 

With cranberry juice, cinnamon sticks, orange juice, Sweet'N'Low and rum, this sweet concoction from Horrible Housewife is sure to please 

Cranberry Gimlet: 

Make this Food Fanatic recipe to make gin more appetizing: it consists of gin, cranberry juice, lime juice, simple syrup and whole cranberries  

Juicy Pear Martini: 

This classic recipe from Straight To The Hips consists simply of pear vodka, pear nectar, simple sugar syrup, fresh lemon juice and ice  

Naughty Pumpkin Cocktail: 

Love pumpkin? One Martini has the perfect drink with Pumpkin Pie Infused Vodka, dark rum, Kahlua, and brown sugar simple syrup 

Pear Sangria: 

Sweet and refreshing, with Riesling, pear juice, brandy, simple syrup, thinly sliced pear and pomegranate seeds, this recipe from Lemon Tree Dwelling is a great option  

Pumpkin and Apple Cider Fizz: 

From Kitchen Konfidence, this drink consists of pumpkin puree, vanilla vodka, apple cider and ginger beer  

The Frozen Turkey: 

This amazing recipe from The View From Great Island is the best because it doubles as a drink AND dessert and there's nothing better than that! It consists of Haagen-Dazs butter pecan ice cream, Wild Turkey 101 and Amaretto, and is topped with a caramel sauce made from dark brown sugar, cream, salt and unsalted butter.  

Tags: thanksgiving