Pakistani dishes in Usa

These Thanksgiving mocktails are festive non alcoholic drinks made with pomegranate, apple cider, cranberry, and warming spices. Each one is delicious and easy to make!

For this Thanksgiving, I’ve decided: I’m making a signature drink without alcohol. With my interest in the Mediterranean diet lifestyle, I’ve started becoming more and more selective about the times I choose to drink alcohol. I’ve done lots of recipe testing and realized: there are plenty of ways to mocktails that are just as delicious as my Thanksgiving cocktails!

Presenting, my favorite Thanksgiving mocktails! I’ve served several of these last year and they were so delicious that even Alex chose them over his usual bourbon. These aren’t just “juice in a fancy glass”: each drink has layers of flavor (using my secrets, like ACV!) that make them taste deliciously complex.

My Top Thanksgiving Mocktails

Pomegranate mocktail

Easy Pomegranate Mocktail

My personal favorite, this easy pomegranate mocktail stars pomegranate juice for a bright red color and sweet-tart flavor, and apple cider vinegar that adds a complexity that makes it taste intriguing. Topped with spicy ginger beer and a salt rim, it’s perfect for parties.

Apple Cider Mocktail

Another star non aloholic drink is this apple cider mocktail! The apple cider is sweet and tangy, the ginger beer adds bubbles, and muddled mint and lemon add aromatic notes. The best part is the cinnamon sugar rim: it has a little salt too, which is so satisfying!

Thanksgiving Punch

This Thanksgiving punch is vibrant and tastes irresistibly light and fruity! Pomegranate juice, fresh lemon and orange juice, and soda water make magic in this drink that’s perfect for serving a crowd.

Cranberry mocktail

Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail

Often mocktails can taste like glorified juice, but this festive cranberry mocktail tastes bubbly, sweet tart and delicious with only three ingredients! This ginger beer mocktail has a hint of spicy complexity, and you can muddle in a little rosemary for a sophisticated finish.

Mulled cider

Mulled Cider

Maybe it’s not technically a mocktail but this non alcoholic drink is one that everyone loves! Infused with mulling spices like cinnamon and cloves, everything is better with a mug of mulled cider on hand. You can make it on the stove or in a crock pot with mulling spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Tips for Serving Mocktails at Thanksgiving

After hosting several Thanksgiving gatherings, I’ve learned a few tricks that make everything run more smoothly:

Prep ingredients ahead: Juice your citrus and rim your glasses the morning of Thanksgiving. This way you can assemble drinks quickly when guests arrive. Each mocktail recipe above has advanced prep tips in the recipe.
Set up a mocktail station: Put out the ingredients with a simple instruction card so guests can make their own drinks.
Use pretty glassware: Serve mocktails in the same beautiful glasses you’d use for cocktails.
Garnish is key: Fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and citrus wheels make these drinks look as good as they taste.

What to Serve Alongside

These mocktails pair well with traditional Thanksgiving fare and some lighter appetizers before the main meal. I think they’d go well with:

Easy Stuffed Dates with goat cheese as a nice starter
Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites for something light and sophisticated
Texas Caviar with tortilla chips for a crowd-pleasing dip
A Classic Hummus platter with seasonal vegetables
Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer with crackers and honey

For more Thanksgiving inspiration, check out my guides for 25 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers and 60 Best Thanksgiving Recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use instead of ginger beer?

Ginger ale works, though it’s sweeter and milder. For something close to ginger beer, mix sparkling water with a splash of ginger simple syrup and a squeeze of lime.

Can I make these Thanksgiving mocktails ahead of time?

Yes, but make sure to not add the bubbles. Mix the juices, syrups, and citrus up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Right before serving, add ginger beer or soda water. For a crowd, the Thanksgiving punch or mulled cider is easiest.

How do I keep a mocktail from tasting too sweet?

Add an acid to balance the sweetness, like a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime or a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. A salt rim does the same thing.

Can I turn these into cocktails?

You could by adding add 1½ ounces of vodka, gin, or bourbon to any of the single-serving drinks. Or see my 40 easy Thanksgiving cocktails and drinks.

Thanksgiving Pomegranate Mocktail

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This easy pomegranate mocktail combines sweet-tart pomegranate juice with lime and ginger beer for a delicious non alcoholic drink. It’s perfect for holiday entertaining or any celebration!

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink 1x
Category: Mocktail
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Mediterranean Diet, Vegan, Vegetarian

Ingredients

2 ounces 100% pomegranate juice
2 ounces ginger beer
½ ounce fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Flaky sea salt, for rimming
Lime wedge and wheels, for rimming and garnish
Pomegranate arils, for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the glass by running a lime wedge around the rim. Dip the rim into a plate of coarse salt to coat. Fill the glass with ice.
In a cocktail shaker or small measuring cup, combine the pomegranate juice, lime juice, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine. Pour the juice mixture over the ice in the prepared glass.
Top with ginger beer and gently stir once to combine.
Garnish with fresh pomegranate arils and a lime wheel if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pitcher of 8 servings: In a pitcher, mix 2 cups pomegranate juice, ½ cup lime juice, and 2 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar. Refrigerate until serving. When serving, pour 2 ½ ounces pitcher into a glass and top with 2 oz ginger beer.

More Festive Drink Ideas

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These colorful Thanksgiving salad ideas star seasonal produce like apples, pears, butternut squash, and pomegranate. They’re fresh and flavorful, balancing the rich holiday dishes perfectly!

When it comes to side dishes, the star of Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be the gravy, stuffing, or mashed potatoes. Instead of brown and mushy, I’ve found that the salad can be one of the most delicious things on your holiday plate. Enter: my perfect Thanksgiving salads!

After years of hosting, I’ve found that flavor combinations like roasted squash, crunchy apples, pomegranate seeds, and tangy dressings always make everyone rave. So here are my top Thanksgiving salad recipes that celebrate seasonal produce: from sweet to savory and light to hearty! My favorite is the first one.

My Top Thanksgiving Salad Ideas

Apple Salad

Crisp Apple Salad

My very favorite Thanksgiving salad that I’ve made for years is this Crisp Apple Salad! Crisp tart apple slices pair with pops of pomegranate seeds, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy, cinnamon-spiced pecans. Toss them all over fresh greens with a zingy maple and apple cider vinegar dressing.

Sweet Potato Salad

This sweet potato salad is ideal for Thanksgiving! Make roasted sweet potatoes, then toss with baby arugula, cranberries, pumpkin seeds and a little crumbled goat cheese or feta. Honey Mustard or Balsamic Dressing give it a tangy pop. The savory, sweet, tangy, creamy and crunchy contrasts are so satisfying.

Pear salad

Pear Salad with Pecans

Here’s a dreamy Thanksgiving salad: this brilliant Pear Salad with Pecans! It’s a study in contrasts: fresh, juicy pear against funky gorgonzola cheese; bright pomegranate against savory shallot. Throw in some toasted pecans and cover it in tangy poppy seed dressing.

Brussels sprout salad

Brussels Sprout Salad

Another salad that screams Thanksgiving (in my opinion), is a good Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad! The raw greens of this popular veggie aren’t bitter at all: they’re sweet and feathery. Combine them with a sweet and tangy Dijon mustard dressing, apples, and dried cherries.

Butternut Squash Salad

This stand-out Thanksgiving salad stars everyone’s favorite ingredient: butternut squash! Hearty sweet squash pairs with crisp apple, chewy cranberries and a citrusy orange vinaigrette. You can also substitute roasted sweet potatoes for the squash.

Fall Harvest Salad

This harvest salad recipe is everything Thanksgiving! It stars roasted acorn squash, farro, apples, and pomegranate, along with a zingy orange maple vinaigrette. Top with crunchy pumpkin seeds!

Wild Rice Salad

This hearty wild rice salad recipe mixes crunchy veggies, pecans, cranberries, and feta cheese crumbles with the chewy grains of rice. This is another personal favorite of mine, especially the maple Dijon vinaigrette dressing that infuses a tangy flavor throughout.

Pomegranate salad

Pomegranate Salad

One of my favorite Thanksgiving salads is a pomegranate salad! Crunchy pomegranate seeds make a beautiful confetti over the top of leafy greens. Add tart green apple slices, toasted pecans, goat cheese or feta crumbles, and an apple cider vinegar dressing or pomegranate vinaigrette.

Beet salad

Beet Salad with Balsamic Dressing

There’s something about the sweetness of roasted beets that just works for Thanksgiving, and this Beet Salad is my favorite way to serve them! They’re paired with baby greens, creamy goat cheese, and a tangy balsamic beet dressing. The colors alone make it a showstopper.

Arugula Goat Cheese Salad

Apple, Goat Cheese & Balsamic Salad

Sometimes the simplest salads are the ones guests can’t stop eating, and this Apple Goat Cheese Salad proves that point beautifully. Crisp apple slices, creamy goat cheese, and fluffy arugula come together with a tangy-sweet balsamic dressing that takes maybe 5 minutes to whisk together.

Endive salad

Endive Salad with Parmesan & Orange

If you want to impress with something a little more sophisticated, this Endive Salad brings elegant complexity to the table. The bitter endive leaves contrast the juicy, sweet orange segments and a sweet-tart red wine vinaigrette. Savory Parmesan shavings and crunchy almonds add the final touches.

Kale Slaw

This Kale Slaw is like the cooler cousin of traditional coleslaw! Hearty kale holds up beautifully to the zingy maple apple cider vinegar dressing, and crisp apple slices and sweet carrot ribbons add color and crunch.

Delicata squash salad

Delicata Squash Salad

I love delicata squash for Thanksgiving salads because you don’t have to peel it: just slice and roast, and the skin becomes tender and sweet. This Delicata Squash Salad comes together simply with squash, pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and a tangy honey mustard dressing.

Fennel Salad

Fennel Salad with Parmesan

Even fennel skeptics love this Fennel Salad because the raw vegetable is thinly shaved and paired with sweet apple slices, zingy lemon juice, and savory Parmesan cheese. The delicate fennel fronds make a feathery, elegant garnish that adds to the salad’s visual appeal.

Watercress Salad

Watercress Salad with Apple

Here’s a tasty Thanksgiving salad: Watercress Salad with Apple! Pair this bitter leafy green with lemon, apple and savory Parmesan shavings and you won’t be able to resist another bite! The sweet apple, zingy citrus and flaky salt balance out the spicy watercress, making for a fresh and vibrant side dish.

Apple Slaw

When you want something creamy and tangy but still fresh and crunchy, this Apple Slaw hits all the right notes. Shredded cabbage, crisp apples, and sweet carrots get dressed in a creamy poppy seed dressing. It’s a fun twist on traditional slaw that feels right at home on a Thanksgiving table.

Fennel orange salad

Fennel Orange Salad

This elegant salad features juicy citrusy oranges with a famous pairing: sliced raw fennel, which adds a subtle licorice essence. Throw it over greens with a few garnishes and top with a zingy homemade citrus vinaigrette.

Farro Salad

Hearty Farro Salad

Here’s a unique Thanksgiving salad: this Hearty Farro Salad! Farro is an ancient grain with a chewy texture and nutty flavor. I love pairing this whole grain with earthy mushrooms, feathery arugula, savory pops of cheese, and a zingy vinaigrette (omit the tomatoes for the Thanksgiving version).

Kale salad

Tuscan Kale Salad

I make this Tuscan Kale Salad year-round, but it feels especially perfect for Thanksgiving with its bold, satisfying flavors. Tuscan kale (also called lacinato or dinosaur kale) has a tender texture when massaged with the dressing, and the lemony, garlicky Parmesan dressing makes it absolutely craveable.

Arugula beet salad

Arugula Beet Salad

Here’s a Thanksgiving salad idea that’s flavorful and versatile: arugula beet salad! It features jewel-toned roasted beets with baby arugula, all covered in a zingy citrus vinaigrette. Add thin-sliced shallots and toasted walnuts, and it tastes sophisticated with minimal effort.

Tips for Making Thanksgiving Salads

Here are a few tips for making these salads part of your Thanksgiving menu:

Prep ahead when possible. You can wash and dry greens the night before, roast vegetables in advance, and make dressings up to 1 week ahead. Then on Thanksgiving day, you just need to assemble everything!
Keep components separate until serving. Nobody wants soggy salad, so I arrange all the toppings in the serving bowl but don’t add the dressing until right before we eat. Or even better, I make small plated versions of the salad so everyone gets all the mix-ins.
Make extra dressing. It’s nice to make more vinaigrette than you think you’ll need. Plus leftover dressing is never a problem: it keeps for weeks and works on so many other salad recipes throughout the season.
Consider special diets. All of these salads are naturally vegetarian and many are gluten-free (substitute farro with quinoa or brown rice), and can easily be made vegan by omitting the cheese.

Storage & Make-Ahead Notes

The key to storing any salad is keeping components separate as much as possible. Store washed and dried greens in the refrigerator wrapped in paper towels inside a container or bag (or even your salad spinner!): they’ll stay good for several days.

Keep any roasted vegetables, cheese, nuts, and other toppings in separate containers. This approach is especially helpful for Thanksgiving leftovers when you want to serve the salad over the next few days.

Dressings store well in mason jars or bottles in the refrigerator. Most vinaigrettes will keep for at least two weeks. Just shake or whisk them well before using since they solidify and separate during storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Thanksgiving salad ahead of time?

You can prep all the components ahead (wash greens, roast vegetables, make dressing), but don’t assemble the full salad until shortly before serving. This keeps everything crisp and fresh. Store each component separately in the refrigerator and toss together within an hour of serving.

What’s the best dressing for Thanksgiving salad?

I like my Maple Vinaigrette, Dijon Mustard Dressing, or Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing because they compliment the flavors well. Balsamic Vinaigrette also works nicely with roasted vegetables and fall fruits.

How do I keep salad from getting soggy?

The secret is keeping the dressing separate until the last possible moment before serving. Add the dressing only when you’re ready to serve, or serve it on the side so guests can add their own.

Easy Thanksgiving Salad

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This easy Thanksgiving salad recipe is a hit every time I serve it, starring crisp fruit, greens, cheese crumbles, and a zingy maple vinaigrette. I’ve made it for so many Thanksgivings over the years and everyone loves it.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten-Free, Mediterranean Diet, Vegan, Vegetarian