Planning holiday menus should include cocktails for Thanksgiving dinner. Alcoholic Thanksgiving drinks may be created with your favorite wine or spirits. Many of the most delicious cocktails for Thanksgiving Day can be served throughout the holiday season. Here are some festive Thanksgiving drink ideas.

Tinto de Verano, which means "red wine of summer," is a refreshing Spanish cocktail. Although this drink is traditionally served in the summer, it's a festive drink to fit with your holiday dinner. Tinto de Verano is similar in taste to Sangria but contains less alcohol. To make six servings:

1. Pour one 750 ml bottle of wine into a pitcher.
2. Add equal parts of a lemon soda, lemonade, and soda water, Sprite, or 7-Up.
3. Garnish with orange and lemon slices.

Tinto de Verano can be served in tall glasses or made up in a pitcher for a holiday party.

Drinks for Thanksgiving Day should include classic mulled wine. It is a delicious, spiced wine served in European homes and at the Christmas markets during the holiday season. Fruity wines like Garnacha or Grenache, Merlot, Zinfandel are excellent choices for this holiday favorite. Heat the wine slightly. Add cinnamon, cloves, and raisins to taste. One tablespoon of honey or 100 percent maple syrup balances the flavor.

Thanksgiving mixed drinks should include a pitcher of Sangria. A dry, fruity, red wine like Rioja or Grenache combines with brown or cane sugar, brandy or rum, orange juice, and oranges or apples, cut into pieces. Add the fruit and sugar to a large pitch. Mix well. Add the orange juice and rum or brandy and mix. Add the red wine and stir. Taste your Sangria and adjust the flavor to suit your preference. You may want to add a bit more brown sugar and orange juice to sweeten. If you prefer, add a bit more of the rum or brandy to enhance the flavor.

One of the favorite wine cocktails recipes for the holiday season is a Holiday Wine Spritzer. This fun wine cocktail will be a hit at all your holiday parties and dinners. Not only is this drink delicious, but it's also colorful. Red or white wine may be mixed with ginger ale, Sprite, or any lemon-lime soda. A variation can be equal portions of wine, soda, and cranberry juice and garnish with fresh cranberries.

Kir is one of the classic Thanksgiving Day cocktails that's simple to make. Kir traditionally consists of dry, white wine and Creme de Cassis, a liqueur similar to Chambord. The wine you use is all about personal taste. Most people use dry, white Burgundy, but many prefer an excellent Chablis. A variation of the traditional Kir is Kir Royale that combines the liqueur with Champagne or another sparkling wine.

Whatever wine cocktails or mixed drinks you serve for Thanksgiving, using the correct proportions and quality wine or spirits ensures your holiday drinks are a hit with your guests.