6 Aperitif Cocktails to Kick Off Your Thanksgiving

Tuxedo photo: Stuart Mullenberg

Hosting a houseful on Thursday? Ease into the festivities with a round of aperitif cocktails. Lower in alcohol than more spirit-forward sippers, and with approachable, appetite-sparking flavors, these six favorite turkey-time tipples are a cinch to put together (you don’t want to spend too much time away from the stove) and just the drinks to prime palates for the food-fueled festivities ahead.

The Brown Turkey

Bring some sparkle to the Turkey Day table with this rum- and fig-fueled spritzer. 

Adonis

Dry sherry, sweet vermouth and orange bitters cause quite a stir in this 19^th-century aperitif. 

Washington’s Mule

This year, we’re giving thanks for this spirited apple and ginger-spiced sipper from Seattle’s Jamie Boudreau. 

Campari Stinger

Bitter Campari, Cognac and fresh muddled mint mingle in this maple-sweetened aperitif. 

The Diplomat

Both sweet and dry vermouths flavor this wine-forward aperitif—simply add a drop of marachino and bitters and stir. 

Tuxedo (pictured)

Dress up your Thanksgiving celebrations with this sherry-fueled riff on the classic Martini.