Thanksgiving is a holiday centered around food, togetherness, and tradition, but beverages are often an overlooked part of the celebration. While many adults enjoy wine or cocktails during the holiday, not everyone drinks alcohol — and kids, pregnant guests, designated drivers, and anyone who prefers a non-alcoholic option deserve something more exciting than water or soda. That’s where vegan Thanksgiving mocktail recipes come in.
Mocktails bring flavor, sophistication, and fun to the holiday table without the alcohol. They’re perfect for family gatherings, beautifully complement autumn flavors, and help make the celebration feel just as special for everyone. Whether you're hosting a large gathering or attending a potluck-style Thanksgiving, a festive vegan mocktail can elevate the meal and create a more inclusive atmosphere.
This guide features creative, easy-to-make, and fully plant-based mocktail recipes that use wholesome ingredients, seasonal produce, and warm spices. And if you want to get into the holiday spirit while prepping in the kitchen, check out the vegan-themed organic cotton shirts from The Dharma Store — stylish, sustainable, and a perfect way to celebrate your plant-based lifestyle.
Let’s raise a glass to a delicious and festive Thanksgiving.
Why Choose Vegan Mocktails for Thanksgiving?
Mocktails naturally work well with plant-based holiday menus. They highlight seasonal fruits, herbs, and spices while keeping the ingredients clean and accessible. A vegan mocktail simply avoids ingredients like honey and certain commercially flavored syrups that may contain non-vegan additives.
A good Thanksgiving mocktail should:
1. Showcase fall flavors
Think apples, cranberries, oranges, ginger, cinnamon, rosemary, and maple.
2. Be easy to batch for crowds
Most Thanksgiving hosts appreciate large-batch recipes that save time.
3. Look festive
Mocktails can be garnished beautifully with citrus slices, herbs, fruit skewers, or cinnamon sticks.
4. Appeal to all ages
These drinks are family-friendly, making them perfect for a holiday with kids and adults mixed at the table.
5. Complement the meal
Mocktails bring balance — not too sweet, not too heavy, but just celebratory enough.
The best part? Anyone can enjoy them, and they make the entire celebration feel more thoughtful and inclusive.
Vegan Thanksgiving Mocktail Recipes
Below are delicious, simple, crowd-pleasing mocktails that will brighten your Thanksgiving table. Each recipe uses accessible, completely vegan ingredients and can be prepped ahead of time.
1. Sparkling Cranberry Orange Fizz
This refreshing mocktail captures classic Thanksgiving flavors with vibrant color and a bright citrusy pop.
Ingredients
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Cranberry juice
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Fresh orange juice
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Sparkling water
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Maple syrup (optional for sweetness)
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Fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish
How to Make
Combine cranberry juice and orange juice in a pitcher. Add maple syrup if desired. Pour over ice and top with sparkling water just before serving. Garnish with orange slices and cranberries.
Why It Works
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Beautiful ruby color
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Tart and refreshing
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Perfect for serving in elegant glasses
This drink looks just as celebratory as champagne — without the alcohol.
2. Apple Cider Ginger Spritz
Warm, cozy, and fizzy — this mocktail tastes like fall in a glass.
Ingredients
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Apple cider
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Ginger beer (non-alcoholic)
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Lemon juice
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Cinnamon sticks for garnish
How to Make
Fill glasses with ice. Mix apple cider and a splash of lemon juice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Why It Works
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Combines spice and sweetness
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Great for pairing with hearty Thanksgiving dishes
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Loved by kids and adults alike
This mocktail brings brightness and warmth to the table.
3. Spiced Pear and Rosemary Cooler
One of the most elegant options on this list, this mocktail feels modern and elevated.
Ingredients
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Pear juice
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Sparkling water
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Fresh rosemary
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Lemon juice
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A touch of maple syrup
How to Make
Muddle rosemary lightly in a glass or pitcher. Add pear juice, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Stir and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.
Why It Works
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Herbal and lightly sweet
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Pear is an underrated but perfect fall flavor
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Presentation is beautiful and fragrant
This mocktail pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables and stuffing.
4. Pomegranate Spice Punch
This punch is festive, easy for batching, and bursting with color.
Ingredients
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Pomegranate juice
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Orange slices
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Cinnamon
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Cloves
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Sparkling water or ginger ale
How to Make
Add pomegranate juice, orange slices, cinnamon, and cloves to a large pitcher or pot. Chill for several hours to let the flavors infuse. Serve over ice with sparkling water or ginger ale.
Why It Works
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Deep, rich flavor
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Looks stunning in a punch bowl
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Large-batch friendly
It's one of the most Thanksgiving-appropriate drinks you can serve.
5. Maple Vanilla Almond Milk Steamer
For guests who prefer a warm drink instead of something cold, this creamy steamer is comforting and lightly sweet.
Ingredients
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Unsweetened almond milk
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Vanilla extract
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Maple syrup
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Cinnamon
How to Make
Warm almond milk gently in a pot. Add vanilla and maple syrup. Whisk lightly to create foam. Serve warm with a dash of cinnamon.
Why It Works
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Cozy and kid-friendly
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Perfect for chilly weather
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Dessert-like but still light
A warm mocktail adds variety to your holiday beverage lineup.
6. Thanksgiving Sunset Cooler
Layered mocktails always feel special. This one is visually stunning and easy to make.
Ingredients
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Orange juice
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Cranberry juice
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Ice
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Lime slice for garnish
How to Make
Fill a glass with ice. Pour orange juice first. Gently pour cranberry juice over the top so that it floats and creates a layered look. Garnish with lime.
Why It Works
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Highly Instagrammable
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Tangy and sweet
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Simple, vibrant ingredients
Great for kids who enjoy colorful drinks.
7. Rosemary Citrus Spritzer
This citrus-forward drink adds brightness to the heavy Thanksgiving meal.
Ingredients
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Lemon juice
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Orange juice
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Sparkling water
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Rosemary sprigs
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Maple syrup (optional)
How to Make
Mix lemon and orange juice. Add maple syrup if desired. Top with sparkling water and garnish with rosemary.
Why It Works
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Refreshing and herbaceous
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Balances rich holiday foods
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Easy to prepare in large pitchers
It’s a great palate cleanser between bites of stuffing and mashed potatoes.
8. Cranberry Apple Sangria Mocktail
A kid-friendly take on sangria that uses fresh fruit and seasonal juices.
Ingredients
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Apple cider
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Cranberry juice
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Chopped apples
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Orange slices
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Cinnamon sticks
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Sparkling water
How to Make
Mix apple cider, cranberry juice, apples, oranges, and cinnamon in a large pitcher. Let chill for at least two hours. Add sparkling water before serving.
Why It Works
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Fruity and festive
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Perfect for family-style sharing
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Adds excitement to the drinks table
Plus, the fruit becomes a fun snack.
How to Create a Vegan Thanksgiving Mocktail Bar
If you want to impress guests and keep things interactive, a mocktail bar is an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving gathering.
1. Choose 2–3 base drinks
Examples:
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Sparkling water
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Apple cider
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Cranberry juice
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Ginger beer
2. Set out add-ins
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Fresh herbs like rosemary and mint
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Citrus slices
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Fresh berries
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Cinnamon sticks
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Pomegranate seeds
3. Offer natural sweeteners
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Maple syrup
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Agave
4. Add festive glasses and fun straws
Kids especially love this.
5. Add labels for ingredients
This keeps things organized and encourages creativity.
A mocktail bar gives guests of all ages a fun, hands-on experience.
Tips for Making Mocktails Stand Out at Thanksgiving
Mocktails can be every bit as exciting as cocktails. Here’s how to elevate yours:
1. Chill everything ahead of time
Cold ingredients maintain flavor and fizz better.
2. Use garnishes generously
A garnish transforms a simple drink into something holiday-worthy.
3. Keep sweetness balanced
Too much sugar makes mocktails feel heavy.
4. Use clear or fancy glassware
Presentation matters.
5. Offer at least one warm mocktail
Adds variety and comfort.
6. Batch recipes where possible
Saves time and keeps the drink table full.
Following these tips can help your mocktails feel both festive and well-rounded.
Pairing Mocktails with Thanksgiving Dishes
Certain mocktails pair exceptionally well with Thanksgiving cuisine:
Rich dishes
Pair with:
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Cranberry orange fizz
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Rosemary citrus spritzer
These cut through heavier flavors.
Savory herb-forward dishes
Pair with:
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Spiced pear cooler
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Pomegranate punch
Herbs and spices complement the meal.
Sweet dishes
Pair with:
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Apple cider ginger spritz
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Sunset cooler
These drinks lean bright and vibrant.
Pairing thoughtfully helps elevate the whole meal.
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving should feel special for everyone — kids, non-drinkers, sober guests, and those simply in the mood for something refreshing. These vegan Thanksgiving mocktail recipes offer a perfect blend of festive flavors, seasonal ingredients, and eye-catching presentation. They’re easy to prepare, enjoyable for all ages, and elevate your holiday celebration with thoughtful, alcohol-free options.
And if you want to add extra holiday spirit to your kitchen or hosting outfit, explore the vegan-themed organic cotton shirts from The Dharma Store — a fun and sustainable way to celebrate your plant-powered values.