This Is Our Most Popular Thanksgiving Dinner Drink

What goes best with the all-American classic feast–roast turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, and more–on Thanksgiving Day? We may not know what early celebrators enjoyed, but one thing is clear according to our site traffic. According to Allrecipes community members, there’s one crisp, aromatic, and festive Thanksgiving drink to rule them all. 

And it’s the Moscow Mule. 

What makes this classic cocktail so popular for Thanksgiving dinner? Let’s start with simplicity. With just three simple ingredients—vodka, ginger beer, and lime—a Moscow Mule is easy to assemble. It’s also incredibly easy to make: Just stir to combine and garnish with lime. No fuss, all class.

Why a Moscow Mule Tastes Great on Thanksgiving 

That simplicity adds up to a great cocktail any night when you want things to be easy on the host and fun for the guests, but here’s how a Moscow Mule really works with the Thanksgiving menu. The drink’s dominant ginger flavor is a perfect  way to balance a heavy Thanksgiving dinner and the effervescence of ginger beer (not to be confused with ginger ale!) contrasts with rich, hearty Thanksgiving staples (think creamy casseroles, flavor-rich stuffing, and hearty mashed potatoes) to cleanse your palate between bites. 

How to Serve a Moscow Mule

If you want to go authentic, serve your Moscow Mules in copper mugs traditionally associated with the drink. Like most cocktail origin stories, it’s unclear exactly how these became the vessel of choice for Moscow Mules, which got popular in Los Angeles in the 1940s. Some accounts claim that copper mugs were the only option left at the bar where the drink originated, and the trend caught on. Others say the mugs were a marketing gimmick by vodka brand Smirnoff, designed to boost sales in the US. Whatever its origins, copper mugs look seasonal and fun on a Thanksgiving table. Plus, they’ll keep your drink ice-cold.

Moscow Mule Upgrades

The simplicity of the Moscow Mule makes it easy to customize to best fit your menu or your guests’ tastes. Choose a small-batch spicy ginger beer for a little artisanal bite. Try garnishing with cranberries to ring in the holiday season, or try Allrecipes community membeer Sriversvt’s hack and add a little maple syrup for peak autumn coziness. For an alcohol-free option that everyone can enjoy, substitute a splash of seltzer for the vodka (ginger beer, despite its name, is non-alcoholic).

For even less stress in the kitchen, Moscow Mules are a breeze to batch out for large Thanksgiving dinner parties. Prep a pitcher ahead of time so you’re free to pour one for yourself as you light dinner table candles and gossip with your sister-in-law about your niece’s new boyfriend. Making the holidays feel this warm, this cozy, this easy—it’s what the Moscow Mule is all about.