If there’s one thing I’ve learned about hosting Thanksgiving, it’s that a good punch is necessary. For this one, I mix cranberries, apple cider, and ginger beer together, and it tastes like Fall in a bomb glass. Jazz it up with some apple slices and frozen cranberries, and watch that punch bowl empty before your eyes boos.
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Thanksgiving Punch Ingredient Notes
- Apple Cider: Make sure you grab apple cider, not juice!
- Light Brown Sugar: You can make homemade with granulated sugar and molasses if you ran out.
- Freshly Grated Nutmeg: Fresh is best, but ground nutmeg will work too.
- Cranberry Juice: Go for that 100% cranberry juice if you can get it! None of that sugary cranberry cocktail stuff.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Or lemon juice.
- Sparkling Apple Cider: Sparkling grape juice also works.
- Ginger Beer: Ginger-ale also is a good swap.
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How to make Thanksgiving Punch
Step 1: Add 2 cups apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, star anise, and nutmeg to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer until sugar has dissolved, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in remaining let cool. When ready to serve, strain the syrup.
Step 2: Serve the spiced apple syrup over ice in a punch bowl. Stir in cranberry and lime juice. Add sparkling apple cider and ginger beer then gently stir together. Garnish with cranberries and apple wedges, and enjoy!
Thanksgiving Punch Recipe
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Equipment
- Medium Sauce Pan
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider divided (2 cups chilled)
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 8 star anise
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 cups ice
- 8 cups cranberry juice chilled (100% juice)
- ¾ cup fresh lime juice
- 3 cups sparkling apple cider
- 4 cups ginger beer chilled
- Frozen cranberries for serving
- 2 Honeycrisp apples cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
- In a small 1.5-quart saucepan add 2 cups apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, star anise, and nutmeg and bring to a simmer until sugar has dissolved, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in remaining let cool. Then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight up to 2 days.
- When ready to serve, strain spiced apple syrup over ice into a punch bowl. Stir in cranberry and lime juice.
- Add sparkling apple cider and ginger beer then gently stir together. Garnish with cranberries and apple wedges.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
Notes
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- Stir It Up Good: Give that punch a good stir when you pour everything together so the spiced syrup doesn’t just chill at the bottom.
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- Keep It Chill: Keep your Thanksgiving holiday punch super cold right up until serving time. This helps the ice last longer and keeps the punch from getting watered down.
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- Garnish Just Before Serving: Add those pretty apple slices and cranberries right before your guests start pouring up. That way the apples stay crisp and fresh.
- Low and Slow: When making that spiced syrup, be patient boo. Let it simmer nice and slow so the flavors really soak into the cider.
cider punch? You can def freeze it boo! Store it in an airtight plastic pitcher (so it doesn’t crack from the cold), and skip the garnishes. Add those pretty apple slices and cranberries after you thaw it. It’ll stay good in the freezer for a month or so.
Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Give that punch a good stir when you pour everything together so the spiced syrup doesn’t just chill at the bottom.
- Keep your punch super cold right up until serving time. This helps the ice last longer and keeps the punch from getting watered down.
- Add those pretty apple slices and cranberries right before your guests start pouring up. That way the apples stay crisp and fresh.
- When making that spiced syrup, be patient boo. Let it simmer nice and slow so the flavors really soak into the cider.
Recipe help
No worries boo! You can use a big glass pitcher, a large serving bowl, or even a slow cooker if you’re serving it warm.
Definitely! This version is alcohol-free and kid-friendly, so everyone can enjoy it. If you want to make a boozy version for the adults, scroll up to the variations and additions section.
I love this punch it taste so good
Thank you so much!