Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Punch: Festive Fall Drink
Make this refreshing cranberry apple cider punch for your holiday gathering. It is easy to prepare in a large batch and works as both a non-alcoholic mocktail or a spiked cocktail.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon non-alcoholic base (see below)
- 2 liters ginger ale or club soda, chilled
- 1 cup fresh cranberries for garnish
- 1 apple, thinly sliced for garnish
- Ice ring or large ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the non-alcoholic base: Combine 6 cups chilled apple cider, 4 cups chilled cranberry juice, and 1/2 cup orange juice in a large punch bowl.
- If making the alcoholic version, stir in 1.5 cups of vodka or spiced rum into the base mixture now.
- Just before serving, gently pour the chilled ginger ale or club soda into the punch bowl. Stir slowly to combine without losing carbonation.
- Add a large ice ring or ice cubes to keep the punch cold.
- Garnish the top of the punch with fresh cranberries and thin apple slices.
- Serve immediately for your festive fall gathering.
Notes
- For a make-ahead option, prepare the juice base (cider, cranberry, orange juice, and alcohol if using) up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it chilled in the refrigerator. Add the sparkling component (ginger ale/soda) just before guests arrive.
- To create a beautiful presentation, freeze some cranberries and a few thin apple slices in water in a bundt pan to make a decorative ice ring.
- This recipe makes a large batch, perfect for Thanksgiving entertaining drinks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg