Thanksgiving Drinks in 20 Minutes: A Weeknight Win

You know that feeling, right? The one where Thanksgiving is just around the corner, the house is buzzing, and you suddenly realize you need something *festive* to sip on, but it’s a Tuesday night and there’s still homework to conquer and dinner to get on the table? I totally get it. That’s why I’m so excited about this recipe for Thanksgiving Drinks in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win). I’ve been making quick, delicious holiday drinks for ages – I remember one Thanksgiving when family descended unexpectedly, and in less time than it took to boil water for mulled cider, I had a gorgeous, spiced drink ready that smelled and tasted like pure autumn joy. As a Precision Keto Scientist, I’ve learned how important it is to balance flavor and efficiency, and this recipe is a perfect example of that. You really can have Thanksgiving cheer in a glass, even on a busy weeknight!

Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Drinks in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win)

Honestly, who has hours to spend on drinks when there’s so much else going on? This recipe is designed for you:

• Seriously Fast: We’re talking done in 20 minutes flat. Weeknight win, for sure!
• Super Easy: No fancy techniques, just simple steps that get you a delicious result.
• Taste of the Holidays: Rich, warm flavors that scream Thanksgiving without being complicated.
• Festive & Fun: They look and taste special, making any meal feel like a celebration.

Quick Thanksgiving Drink Ingredients

You won’t believe how simple this is! Most of these things you might even have lurking in your pantry already. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this little bit of Thanksgiving magic:

For the Spice Maple Persimmon Puree:

• 2 ripe Fuyu persimmons, all chopped up
• 1/2 cup real maple syrup (none of that fake stuff!)
• 1 cinnamon stick (plus maybe an extra for garnish later)

For the Old Fashioned (the drink part!):

• 2 oz bourbon (or your favorite whiskey)
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• Juice from 1 clementine (so easy!)
• 1 dash orange bitters
• 1-2 tbsp of that glorious persimmon puree we just made
• Sparkling water, just a splash for topping – makes it bubbly and bright!
• Star anise for serving, if you’re feeling fancy (totally optional, but pretty!)

How to Make Thanksgiving Drinks in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win)

Alright, get ready, because this is where the magic happens, and it’s so much easier than you think! We’re going to break this down into two super simple parts. The whole point here is speed and flavor, so don’t worry about being perfect, just jump in!

Preparing the Spice Maple Persimmon Puree

First things first, let’s get this gorgeous puree going. Grab a small pot and toss in your chopped persimmons, that delicious real maple syrup, about half a cup of water, and your cinnamon stick. Pop it on medium heat and let it come to a boil – watch it so it doesn’t bubble over! Let it simmer for about 5 to 8 minutes. You’ll see the persimmons get all soft and mushy, releasing their lovely juices. Once that happens, take it off the heat. Don’t forget to fish out that cinnamon stick! Now, carefully blend it all up until it’s smooth and creamy. A little immersion blender works wonders here, or just scoop it into a regular blender. Let it cool down – you can even pop it in the fridge to speed things up. This puree is fantastic because you can totally make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for about a week. So handy!

Mixing Your Thanksgiving Drink

Okay, puree cooling? Perfect! Now for the fun part. Grab your cocktail shaker. Pour in the bourbon – use a nice splash, about 2 ounces. Add the fresh lemon juice and the juice from your clementine. Then, toss in a dash of orange bitters – just a little goes a long way for that lovely aroma. And here comes our star: add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of that spiced persimmon puree you just made. Now, seal that shaker tight and give it a good shake! You want everything to get nice and cold and well mixed. Grab your favorite glass, pop in a strainer, and pour that delicious liquid in. If you like a little fizz, add a splash of sparkling water right on top. For the finishing touch? A cinnamon stick and maybe a star anise if you have one. It just looks so festive and smells amazing! You can find tons of other great Thanksgiving drink ideas, like these ideas, but this one is truly a weeknight winner.

Tips for Your Thanksgiving Drinks in 20 Minutes

Making these Thanksgiving Drinks in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win) is all about embracing the shortcut without sacrificing flavor. Trust me, I’ve learned a thing or two about making things taste amazing without spending hours in the kitchen.

First off, use the ripest Fuyu persimmons you can find. They’re naturally sweet and have that perfect, almost custard-like texture when ripe, which is key for the puree. And that maple syrup? Definitely go for the real stuff – the flavor difference is huge and worth it!

Remember that amazing persimmon puree you made? That’s your secret weapon! Make a batch ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. It’ll save you even more time on a busy night. If you like your drinks a little sweeter, just add a touch more maple syrup to the puree, or even a tiny drizzle when you’re mixing the drink itself. And for me, as a Precision Keto Scientist, I know that balancing flavors is crucial. Don’t be afraid to adjust the lemon and clementine juice a bit to get that perfect sweet-tart balance. You can learn more about my approach here!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Quick Thanksgiving Drinks

Okay, let’s talk ingredients! Sometimes you might not have exactly what’s listed, or you might want to tweak things a bit, and that’s totally fine. For this recipe, I really recommend using Fuyu persimmons if you can find them. They’re the ones that look kind of like a tomato, and they’re super sweet and mild when they’re ripe, perfect for eating raw or blending into this puree. If you can’t find Fuyus, Hachiya persimmons work too, but make SURE they are super soft and jelly-like, or they can be a bit astringent.

And the maple syrup? Stick with the real stuff. The flavor is so much richer and has those lovely caramel notes that just scream fall. As for the bourbon, if whiskey isn’t your jam, a nice rye whiskey works beautifully here too, or for a really different vibe, you could even try a spiced rum! If you’re not a fan of citrus, you can always swap the lemon and clementine for lime juice, or even just use a little extra orange juice if you want it sweeter.

Making Thanksgiving Mocktails

Want all the flavor without the booze? No problem! To make these Thanksgiving mocktails, just skip the bourbon entirely. To get that nice depth of flavor back, you can add an extra tablespoon of that amazing persimmon puree and maybe a tiny splash of unsweetened cranberry juice for a little zing. Top it with sparkling water or even a ginger ale for a bit more sweetness and spice. You’ll still get that gorgeous holiday flavor!

Big Batch Thanksgiving Drinks: Planning Ahead

Okay, so you’re having a crowd over for Thanksgiving, and you want to serve something special but still keep your sanity? I totally get it! To make a big batch of these festive sips, the absolute best thing you can do is make a triple or quadruple batch of that yummy Spice Maple Persimmon Puree ahead of time. Just store it in a big jar in the fridge. You can find tons of other great recipes, like the ones over here! Then, when it’s time to serve, instead of shaking individual drinks, you can mix your bourbon, citrus juices, bitters, and a good amount of the puree directly in a pitcher or even a fun punch bowl. Top it with sparkling water or ginger ale for a festive punch that’s ready to go!

Serving Suggestions for Your Thanksgiving Drinks

These delightful drinks are seriously versatile! They’re perfect as a welcome sip when guests arrive, or they play wonderfully alongside a platter of Thanksgiving appetizers like mini cheese balls or spiced nuts. They also make a lovely, warming accompaniment to your main Thanksgiving feast, cutting through the richness of the turkey and stuffing beautifully. And honestly? They’re so good, they’d even be a cozy treat after dinner with a slice of pumpkin pie!

Frequently Asked Questions about Thanksgiving Drinks in 20 Minutes (Weeknight Win)

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Making these drinks is pretty straightforward, but I know you might have a few things on your mind. Let’s clear them up!

Can I make the Spice Maple Persimmon Puree ahead of time?

Absolutely! This is actually one of my favorite shortcuts. You can make the puree a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. That way, when it’s time to whip up your drinks, you just grab it and go. It means you can truly have Thanksgiving drinks ready in minutes!

What if I can’t find ripe Fuyu persimmons?

No persimmons? Don’t sweat it! If you can’t find Fuyu persimmons, you can swap them for about 1/2 cup of really good quality spiced apple cider or even a good cranberry puree. You might need to adjust the sweetness a bit, but it will still be delicious and capture that fall flavor. Just remember, no persimmons just means a different, but still yummy, quick Thanksgiving drink!

Can this recipe be made alcohol-free?

Yes, totally! To make this recipe a fantastic Thanksgiving mocktail, just skip the bourbon. To give it a little more body, maybe add an extra tablespoon of the persimmon puree, a splash of unsweetened cranberry juice for tartness, or even a bit of ginger ale for some festive fizz. It’s still got all the warming spices and festive flair!

How long does the persimmon puree last in the fridge?

That lovely persimmon puree should stay good in the refrigerator for about a week if you keep it in a well-sealed container. It’s perfect for making drinks not just on your busy Thanksgiving night, but also for any other weeknights you want a little taste of the holidays. I love knowing I have it ready to go!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info here is an estimate, of course! It can change depending on the exact brands of bourbon and maple syrup you use, and how much of that yummy persimmon puree you add. But generally, one of these festive drinks comes in around 250-300 calories, with about 15-20g of carbs and maybe 15-18g of that coming from natural sugars. It’s not too shabby for a holiday treat!

Share Your Quick Thanksgiving Creations!

I’d just *love* to see what you whip up with these quick Thanksgiving drinks! Did you try the persimmon puree? Did you make a big batch punch for your crew? Or maybe you found a fun twist to make it your own? Drop a comment below and let me know how it turned out. And if you snap any pictures, tag me on social media – I’m always up for seeing your amazing kitchen creations! You can also get in touch with me here if you have any questions!