Thanksgiving is a time for great food, friends and family. But it can prove testing for those travelling or at the helm of the cooking operation.
This year our consumer experts decided to lighten the load and recommend the best pre-mixed cocktails that will taste delicious but be ready with minimal effort.
Here’s our pick of the 8 best drinks from across the US which are sure to make your holiday extra special.
Via Carota Craft Cocktails, Espresso Martini
When the King is in London the flag flies at Buckingham Palace. When Taylor Swift is in New York, you can expect a frenzy at Via Carota.
Now you can prepare a bit of the Italian restaurant’s magic at home with their pre-mixed craft cocktails. The Espresso Martini tastes as fresh as if it was whipped up behind the West Village bar itself.
Individual 375ml bottles of the Negroni, Espresso Martini and and Old Fashioned – which serve four – are sold for $39 at drinkviacarota.com.
Bulleit, Manhattan
Bulleit whiskey is a staple on many home drinks trolleys. The brand’s latest foray into packaged cocktails of beloved whiskey favorites Manhattan and Old Fashioned is a roaring success. With sleek packaging – which is easy to transport to friends and family at Thanksgiving – these cocktails will find a welcome glass at many tables this season.
The Old Fashioned and Manhattan 375 ml bottle is available for $19.99 at major liquor stores or online via instacart.
Hudson Valley Distillers: Wild Berry Mule and Bourbon Sidecar
These beautifully packaged, all natural ingredient cocktails can be ordered online from New York’s quaint upstate brewery, or found at select wine and select spirit retailers across New England.
The Wild Berry Mule offers seasonal flavors and a real vodka kick. It is best served over ice with a dash of lemon or lime juice.
The brand’s twist on a traditional sidecar – with bourbon instead of brandy – is sweet and flavorful. It’s perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif or if you fancy something a little more decadent.
Cocktails sell for $16 per 375ml bottle, which serves four.
Mammoth Distilleries, Cherry Bounce
After an at-home brewing disaster our experts opted to find a pre-made version of this seasonal cocktail.
Mammoth Distilleries in Michigan have made an excellent version of this farmer tradition. They offer both a whiskey and vodka option. The cherries are harvested in mid-summer, so there is plenty of time for the concoctions to be put together and macerate perfectly in time for the festive season.
A 750 ml bottle of the Cherry Bounce costs $40.04, while the same size of the Bourbon & Bounce is $31.79.
Available online at Mammothdistilling.com and in all Michigan spirit retailers.
High West, Old Fashioned
High West Distillery’s Old Fashioned is a perfect tipple for whiskey lovers this Thanksgiving.
This premium cocktail is matured in used rye barrels at the distillery’s Utah location, giving it a well-rounded rich taste.
Both bourbon and rye whiskey are included in this cocktail, bringing both sweeter and dryer flavors together.
A 375ml bottle of the Old Fashioned Barrel Finished Cocktail is available on the company’s website for $22.99.
Free Spirits, Alcohol-free Margarita
No alcohol, no problem! Free Spirits offers a fantastic alcohol-free margarita made with its signature tequila alternative.
While it does not taste exactly like the real thing, it still manages to replicate the smoky, full-bodied and fragrant taste of tequila. Plus, it even contains a natural component found in chili peppers to simulate the warming feeling of alcohol on a cold evening.
A pack of four 250ml cans costs $15.99, and are available on the Free Spirits website.
Wandering Barman, Gin Old Fashioned
The Wandering Barman, based out of a bar and ‘cocktail laboratory’ in a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood, offers a wide range of hand-made and experimental cocktails.
Its gin old fashioned is a fresh twist on the classic cocktail, with cucumber, elderflower and celery bitters. It’s sweet but refreshing – perfect for when you need something light after a long day of Thanksgiving indulgences.
The brand currently ships to Arizona, DC, Kentucky, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire and New York.
The Gin Old Fashioned costs $4.99 for an individual-sized 100ml bottle.
Jose Cuervo, Mistletoe Margarita
For those that prefer tequila, Jose Cuervo’s pre-mixed margaritas that come in a variety of exciting flavors are an easy and affordable option.
This year the Mistletoe Margarita is ideal for those looking to jump ahead into the Christmas spirit. The drink also comes in Strawberry Lime, Mango or a classic Lime flavor.
Mistletoe Margarita retails at $17.99 for a 1.75 liter bottle. It is available online and at major stores such as Wine & More.