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Festive Cranberry Apple Cider Punch (Make it Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic)

Close-up of a large glass bowl filled with vibrant red Thanksgiving punch, garnished with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and a cinnamon stick.
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Create a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving Punch featuring seasonal apple cider and cranberry flavors. This recipe provides simple instructions for both a family-friendly mocktail and a spiked cocktail version for your holiday gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups apple cider
  • 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
  • 2 cups ginger ale or sparkling water (for mocktail)
  • 1 cup vodka or light rum (optional, for spiked version)
  • 1 cup ginger ale or lemon-lime soda (for spiked version)
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cinnamon stick (for garnish/infusion)

Instructions

  1. Combine the apple cider and cranberry juice in a large punch bowl or beverage dispenser. Stir well to mix the base flavors.
  2. If making the alcoholic version, add the vodka or rum to the base mixture and stir.
  3. Chill the punch base thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until ready to serve. This is a great make ahead holiday drink step.
  4. Just before serving, gently stir in the chilled ginger ale or sparkling water/soda to add fizz. Do not stir vigorously, or you will lose the carbonation.
  5. Garnish the punch bowl with the orange slices, fresh cranberries, and the cinnamon stick for a festive look.
  6. Serve immediately. Offer a separate pitcher of vodka/rum on the side if you prefer guests to customize their own spiked holiday punch strength.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, gently warm a small amount of the apple cider with the cinnamon stick for 10 minutes, then cool completely before adding it to the punch base.
  • To keep the punch cold without diluting the flavor, freeze some of the cranberry juice in a bundt pan to create a large ice ring.
  • This recipe is easily scalable for large entertaining drink ideas.

Nutrition

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