4 Pinoy-inspired drink ideas for Thanksgiving

Filipinos make a big deal about celebrations wherever they are in the world—whether it’s a birthday, a fiesta, the Christmas season in the homeland, or even Thanksgiving in the US.

Having a culture that places great importance on community—and expressing that through food—it’s natural that food on the table is the first thing to be prepared. But of course, we can’t forget that we’ll need thirst quenchers, too (or as we’d like to call it in Filipino, panulak).

With Thanksgiving being one of the major holidays in the US, it’s also expected to have copious amounts of drinks at the ready. While the easiest option would be to bring out your favorite bottles of wine, here are other drink options if you want to be just a bit extra. (Alcohol optional!)

Punch

Fruit punch is a popular option for big parties, and it’s pretty easy to put together, too. For a more Filipino flavor, turn to the classic four seasons mix. There are pre-made juices out there of course, but you can also make your own by putting together your choice of fruits like mango, pineapple, orange, and watermelon. You may also substitute with apple for a hint of fall flavor. You can serve this as is, or make a spiked version with rum.

Samalamig

Nothing can get as Filipino as pitchers of samalamig or coolers. Although they’re a Filipino summer staple, the refreshing drinks can definitely be enjoyed any time of the year. It’s also a great appeal for remembering all the good times, which fits quite well with the Thanksgiving season’s sentiment.

For something easy, try serving the melon samalamig, which is primarily a drink made with melon or cantaloupes mixed with sugar and water. Sago’t gulaman is also another sure hit. To make it, you have to cook sago or tapioca pearls and make gulaman (agar jelly), then add into a mixture of brown sugar, water, and vanilla (arnibal).

For both drinks, lots of ice is recommended.

Hot chocolate

The weather this season may also call for something more comforting and warm. Hot chocolate is a great option that can appeal to guests of all ages. The best part is that you can also turn this Thanksgiving into an opportunity to showcase Philippine chocolate, especially now that a handful of local chocolate brands like Auro Chocolate and Theo & Philo are now available in the US.

You may also like: These Filipino recipes will impress everyone at your Thanksgiving potluck

Cocktails

Seasonal cocktails typically use ingredients like apple, cinnamon, cranberries, or pumpkin. There are some cocktails you can easily whip up by mixing, say, cranberry and apple juice with ginger beer and vodka, or gin and ginger beer with a bit of lemon and apple juice.

But you can also go the extra mile this Thanksgiving with a drink that could impress the guests by way of flavor and visuals. I’m talking about the flavor of the year (and honestly, for all the years to come): ube. We’ve all done ube desserts, pastries, and even coffee—it’s time to introduce it into our cocktails, too.

Don't miss out on the latest news and information.

DID YOU KNOW?