Spiced Bourbon Punch Cocktail
This cozy, crowd-pleasing punch mixes smooth bourbon, spiced apple cider, citrus, and warm spices—perfect for fall or holiday gatherings. Bubbly and balanced, with layers of fruit and gentle spice in every sip.
Equipment
- Punch bowl
- Cocktail shaker
- Long spoon
- Measuring cups
- Jigger
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Ladle
- Ice bucket
- Serving glasses
Ingredients
- 2 cups bourbon
- 2 cups spiced apple cider
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 0.5 cup fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 cup orange juice
- 0.25 cup honey or simple syrup
- 0.5 cup triple sec or orange liqueur
- 1 cup sparkling wine or sparkling cider
- 1 cup sparkling water or club soda
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- apple slices for garnish
- orange slices for garnish
- cranberries
- crushed ice for serving
- cinnamon stick for garnish, optional
- maraschino cherry for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Pour bourbon, spiced apple cider, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and orange juice into your punch bowl.
- Stir in honey or simple syrup until it dissolves.
- Add triple sec, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and nutmeg.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Right before serving, add sparkling wine and sparkling water.
- Add apple slices, orange slices, and cranberries for garnish.
- Serve over crushed ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick or maraschino cherry if desired.
Notes
For extra spice, simmer the cider with cinnamon and star anise first, then cool before mixing. Use a smooth, mid-range bourbon for balance. For a lighter punch, swap sparkling wine for ginger beer or more soda water. Adjust sweetness to taste with honey or syrup.