Print

Festive Cranberry Apple Cider Punch (Make Ahead)

Close-up of a festive thanksgiving punch in a glass bowl garnished with bright orange slices and fresh cranberries.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Prepare this easy, crowd-pleasing punch for your Thanksgiving gathering. It features cranberry and apple cider flavors and includes options for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups apple cider
  • 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
  • 2 cups orange juice, chilled
  • 1 cup orange slices
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 liter ginger ale or sparkling water, chilled (for mocktail)
  • 1.5 cups spiced rum or bourbon (for cocktail option)
  • Ice ring or cubes for serving

Instructions

  1. Combine apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, orange slices, fresh cranberries, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves in a large pitcher or punch bowl.
  2. If making the mocktail version, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow spices to infuse.
  3. If making the cocktail version, add the spiced rum or bourbon to the mixture, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  4. Just before serving, remove the cinnamon stick and cloves.
  5. For the mocktail, gently stir in the chilled ginger ale or sparkling water.
  6. For the cocktail, gently stir in the chilled ginger ale or sparkling water.
  7. Serve the punch over ice. Add a large ice ring to keep it cold without diluting it quickly.

Notes

  • You can prepare the base mixture (without the sparkling component) up to 2 days ahead of time.
  • For an attractive presentation, freeze some fresh cranberries and orange slices in water in a bundt pan to create a decorative ice ring.
  • If you prefer a less sweet punch, substitute half of the cranberry juice with unsweetened cranberry juice.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savoryskies.com/thanksgiving-punch-recipe-cranberry-cider/