Add some Thanksgiving day flavor to your cocktail with fresh muddled sage and sweet roasted grapes. 
Let’s face it, a festive Thanksgiving cocktail is just as awesome as the holiday’s signature food.
Since sage is often a distinct ingredient in many autumn dishes from poultry to pork to stuffings to soups to roasted vegetables, I thought it would be the perfect herb to highlight in a cocktail that is ideal for welcoming your guests to dinner.
But that’s not all. The earthiness of sage pairs well with sweet ingredients and that is where black grapes come in. These grapes are delicious as is, but when roasted, they get even sweeter and richer turning into these juicy little orbs packed full of goodness.
When muddled together, it creates a base for a cocktail that goes from good to so much better than good. The oils released from the sage here add a hint of savory, warm flavor and the roasted grapes provide just the right amount of sweetness.
Shaken with some vodka, strained into a glass and topped with ginger ale, the color is stunning and welcoming.
This Thanksgiving cocktail is really a pleasant surprise the moment you raise your glass, making the start to your holiday feast anything but ordinary.
Roasted grapes and earthy sage are the real deal and I love them in my Weeknight Skillet Herb Pork Chops with Roasted Grapes and my Cider Braised Pork Meatballs with Lemon and Sage.
For another way to highlight herbs in a cocktail, try my Partridge in a Pear Tree: A Sparkling Christmas Cocktail where fresh rosemary is the star of the drink.
What are you toasting with this Thanksgiving?
Off the Vine: A Thanksgiving Day Cocktail
Add some Thanksgiving day flavor to your cocktail with fresh muddled sage and roasted grapes.
- 5-6 sage leaves
- 12-15 black grapes
- 2 ounces vodka
- ginger ale
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and scatter the grapes on it.
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Roast for 30 minutes until the grapes begin to shrivel a bit but not burst.
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Remove from the oven and let cool.
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To a cocktail shaker, add the sage leaves and the roasted grapes, reserving at least one grape for garnish.
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Muddle to release the grape juices and break up the sage.
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Add ice and your favorite vodka.
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Give it a good shake.
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Add ice to a glass and strain the mix over it.
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Top with ginger ale and garnish with a sage leaf and a roasted grape.
This looks like the perfect holiday cocktail! I’ll have to make one asap.
Nothing like a refreshing cocktail. This looks good
I can hardly wait to make this! Such a perfect holiday cocktail!
Thank you!
I love making cocktails during the holidays so this is great.
So fun!
This cocktail looks HEAVENLY! I look forward to having a couple drinks around the Holidays…it makes the hustle and bustle of the season more enjoyable. Thanks for sharing!
oh wow this looks like a holiday party must have ! it looks so classy too. gona keep it in mind for when I want to impress lol
I love the idea of a Thanksgiving cocktail! I need to be better about doing these more often!
Looks like this would be a very popular drink during the holidays. Like the name perfect for Thanksgiving meal
Thanks so much!
I am craving one of these right now! I have pinned to try as soon as possible. It looks and sounds absolutely divine!
Thanks! It’s a unique and delicious one!
I absolutely love when I go to someone’s house and they have a special drink. This recipe has really inspired me to make a special drink over the holidays. It’ll be perfect and I know the virgin version will be perfect for the kids too 🙂 Thanks!
Thanks, Yolanda! I too love when a get-together has a signature drink. My kids love joining in on the holiday toasts and this one does make a tasty “mocktail” too.
oh yum and so pretty. Love the color the grapes give too!
I do too! Thanks for stopping by!
Roasted grapes? Interesting!
They are so tasty in salads too!
This looks so good! My brother in law is coming for Thanksgiving and he loves to try new cocktails so I will have to make this for him!
Love it! I made this for a friend and it was a big hit. Hope your BIL enjoys it!
What a beautiful drink! It seems easy to follow and it looks absolutely delicious! Yum!
As long as you can get those grapes roasted and ready, it is super easy to throw together.
This looks so elegant and festive! I have never had the idea of using sage leaves in a drink. I will have to try it.
I just love herbs in cocktails and this one really works, especially this time of year. Hope you agree!
I have never heard of roasting grapes before! I’m curious, partly because I’d have thought they’d turn into raisins. What an inventive cocktail.
Thanks so much! I imagine if they are in the oven long enough, that is what happens. These are so juicy and sweet though. I love them! I throw them on salads too!
I can’t wait to try this! I just know the flavor of those roasted grapes is insanely good!
Awesome, Marta! Cheers!