Thanksgiving Punch

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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Two glasses of red Thanksgiving punch with ice, cranberries, and apple slices, garnished with a cinnamon stick, with a punch bowl in the background

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

Overhead shot of a saucepan with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and spices simmering in liquid

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.

Overhead shot of a bowl filled with bright red Thanksgiving punch and ice cubes

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!

Close-up shot of a glass of red Thanksgiving punch, garnished with a cinnamon stick and apple slices, with punch bowl in the background

Thanksgiving Punch Recipe

Apple cider, cranberry juice, and ginger beer come together in this Thanksigiving punch recipe that looks as amazing as it tastes!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Course: Drink
Servings: 36 4-oz servings

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

    1. 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.
    1. 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.
    1. 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.
  1. 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.
 
How to store Thanksgiving Punch
You can store your leftover Thanksgiving punch in an airtight glass pitcher in the fridge. Just make sure to cover it up tight so it doesn’t soak up any fridge smells. Nobody wants punch that tastes like last night’s leftovers!
How long will Thanksgiving Punch last in the fridge?
This punch will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors might mellow a bit, but a good stir will wake it back up when you’re ready to serve.
Can I freeze apple
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

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @GrandbabyCakes or tag #grandbabycakes!

Recipe Tips

  1. Give that punch a good stir when you pour everything together so the spiced syrup doesn’t just chill at the bottom.
  2. Keep your punch super cold right up until serving time. This helps the ice last longer and keeps the punch from getting watered down.
  3. Add those pretty apple slices and cranberries right before your guests start pouring up. That way the apples stay crisp and fresh.
  4. When making that spiced syrup, be patient boo. Let it simmer nice and slow so the flavors really soak into the cider.

Recipe help

What if I don’t have a punch bowl?

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.

Is this Thanksgiving punch safe for kids?

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.

Overhead view of the Thanksgiving punch bowl filled with cranberries, apple slices, and a ladle, with a small bowl of cranberries nearby

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Filed Under:  Drinks, Stovetop, Thanksgiving

Comments

5 from 1 vote

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