Thanksgiving 2016: The 6 best cocktails

The festive holiday might be more popular across the pond, but it seems Thanksgiving-themed tipples have made their way to the UK and that’s reason enough to celebrate

You don’t have to live in the USA to participate in the turkey-gorging festivities

Every year, on the fourth Thursday in November, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving as one of the biggest dates on the calendar. Although it’s primarily a national holiday across the pond, in recent years the turkey-gorging fever has hit London hard, with all-American feasts and themed events popping up all over the city. But perhaps more importantly, the celebrations have also inspired a wealth of dedicated Thanksgiving cocktails to try. So from boozy bourbon mixes to drinks with added cream cheese (no, really); here are London’s best.

Available for one night only, the Pumpkin Pie Flip is thick and creamy

Dirty Bones – Pumpkin Pie Flip

Dirty Bones might be known for their meaty dishes, but this year they are turning their head towards creating one-off cocktails for the holidays. All set for Thanksgiving, head down to their Soho, Kensington or Shoreditch branches, and get your hands on their Pumpkin Pie Flip. This smooth mix is made with Sugar Shine Pumpkin Pie Moonshine, Bulleit Rye and Belsazar Dry Vermouth; all shaken with double cream and egg white. It’s only available on 24 November though, so if you want it, you gotta act fast.

With maple syrup, pumpkin puree and orange bitters, the Mayflower screams Thanksgiving

Birdies – The Mayflower

Okay, heading to Birdies for a game of crazy golf might not be the most traditional of ways to celebrate Thanksgiving, but having said that, these guys have only gone and recruited Spirited Mixers to rustle up a special mix for the 24th. The Mayflower cocktail is a heady mix of Woodford Reserve, maple syrup, lemon and orange juice, pumpkin puree, finished with a dash of orange bitters. If you’re looking to celebrate a little bit differently this year, raise a toast (and a club) to Thanksgiving at Birdies.

The Wild Apple Gobbler has all the Thanksgiving flavours in it including pumpkin butter

Jones Family Project – Wild Apple Gobbler

This year The Jones Family Project are putting on a Thanksgiving spread to please the masses. Make your way to their Shoreditch plot from the 24th to the 26th, and tuck into three wonderful courses for £30 (expect turkey escalope with all the trimmings and traditional pumpkin pie). To help you wash everything down, their bartenders have created the Wild Apple Gobbler. It’s made with Wild Turkey 81, Calvados, lemon, sugar, pumpkin butter and bitters. But be warned; one sip and you’ll be hooked.

Made from a mixture of fruity Bourbon and cinnamon sugar, the CUT also has a sweet blueberry compote

CUT at 45 Park Lane – My Kind of Gravy

CUT at 45 Park Lane is hosting a traditional Thanksgiving with all the trimmings on the 24th. Owned by Wolfgang Puck, this restaurateur’s impressive clientele list spans from Sir Elton John to the Obamas. Impressive. To complement each wonderful course, the mixologists at CUT have come up with My Kind of Gravy. It has a fruity Bourbon American whiskey base with cinnamon sugar, carefully balanced by lemon juice and sweet blueberry compote.

Christopher's decadent Pumpkin Pie Martini is made from gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, maple syrup, pumpkin puree and a spoon of mascarpone

Christopher’s Covent Garden – Pumpkin Pie Martini

Following the success of last year’s Thanksgiving-themed cocktails, Christopher’s have gallantly decided to jump on the holiday bandwagon once again. Focusing on martinis, they have created three distinctly delicious drinks; but we’re all about their Pumpkin Pie Martini. It’s made with Bombay Gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, maple syrup, pumpkin puree and one bar spoon of mascarpone. We know what you’re thinking. Cream cheese... in a cocktail? But trust us – it works.

The Magazine – Old Fashioned

A lot of people believe in pairing their Thanksgiving dinner with a whiskey-based drink. And it seems The Magazine have the same opinion. They have included the Old Fashioned as one of their specially crafted Thanksgiving-themed cocktails for their event on the 24th. Keeping things classic with a bourbon base, sugar, bitters, and a twist of orange rind, this old school drink, like their three-course spread, won’t let you down.

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