Thanksgiving Punch Cocktail
This festive punch blends apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, ginger beer, spiced rum, fresh fruit, and warm spices for a crowd-pleasing holiday drink. Easy to make, beautiful in the bowl, and perfect for Thanksgiving or any autumn gathering.
Equipment
- Punch bowl
- Large mixing spoon
- Measuring cups
- Knife and cutting board
- Citrus juicer
- Ladle
- Ice bucket or tray
- Small plates
- Glasses or cups
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider fresh or sparkling
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1-2 cups ginger beer or sparkling apple cider
- 1 cup spiced rum optional, or apple juice/hard cider
- 1/4 cup honey optional, for sweetness
- 1 orange sliced into rounds
- 1 apple sliced thin
- 1 pear sliced thin
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries for garnish
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 3-4 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
- fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
- ice for serving
Instructions
- Add apple cider, cranberry juice, and orange juice into the punch bowl.
- Stir in the ginger beer (or sparkling cider) and spiced rum (or apple juice/hard cider).
- Mix in honey, stirring well to dissolve it.
- Add orange slices, apple slices, and pear slices to the punch.
- Drop in cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.
- Let the punch chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour so the flavors blend.
- Before serving, add fresh ice as needed.
- Garnish each glass with a rosemary sprig and extra fruit slices.
Notes
Use fresh, unfiltered apple cider for best flavor. Swap in sparkling apple cider for a non-alcoholic version. Can't find star anise? Just skip it. Double the recipe for a crowd. Leftovers keep in the fridge and get even tastier. Decorate with extra cinnamon sticks and rosemary for a festive look.