Thanksgiving Punch is the perfect sip to kick off your holiday feast; bubbly, spiced, and bursting with apple flavor.
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Every year, this drink turns our kitchen into a mini fall festival, filled with the sweet scent of cinnamon and cider. It’s festive enough for adults yet easy to adapt into a kid-friendly mocktail, so everyone gets to toast together.
Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Punch Recipe
- Perfectly festive: A gorgeous golden punch that sparkles with fall flavors.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep the base in advance and add the fizz just before serving.
- Flexible: Easily switch between alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.
- Crowd-pleasing: Ideal for Thanksgiving gatherings, Friendsgiving parties, or cozy evenings by the fire.
Ingredients and Substitutions
You’ll need:
- 4 cups apple juice or cider: Use unfiltered cider for a deeper apple flavor.
- 1/2 cup vodka: Optional—skip it or replace with sparkling water for a kid-friendly mocktail.
- 1/3 cup apple jam or apple butter: Adds sweetness and body. Maple syrup or honey works if you do not have jam.
- 2 cinnamon sticks: Infuses warmth and spice.
- 1 bottle champagne: Choose a dry or semi-dry sparkling wine. For a mocktail, use sparkling apple cider.
- 1 bottle ginger beer or regular beer: Ginger beer adds sweetness and spice; beer brings a malty depth. Swap for sparkling ginger ale for kids.
- 1–2 apples, thinly sliced: Red apples look beautiful floating in the punch.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: For rimming glasses or sweetening to taste.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Blended with brown sugar for a cozy rim garnish.
- A few star anise pods: Optional but lovely for aroma and decoration.
Tips for Making Thanksgiving Punch
- Chill everything: Cold ingredients keep your punch crisp and fizzy longer.
- Add fizz last: Champagne and ginger beer should go in right before serving to preserve bubbles.
- Pretty presentation: Use a large glass pitcher or punch bowl with apple slices and star anise floating on top.
- Sweeten to taste: Taste your punch before serving—apple cider sweetness varies.
- Kid-friendly twist: Replace vodka, champagne, and beer with sparkling water or ginger ale for a no-alcohol version that tastes just as festive.
Thanksgiving Punch Recipe FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the apple juice, jam, vodka, and spices up to 24 hours ahead. Add the champagne and ginger beer just before serving.
How can I make this non-alcoholic?
Swap vodka, champagne, and beer with sparkling apple cider and ginger ale. You can also add a splash of lemon juice for balance.
Can I use apple butter instead of jam?
Absolutely! Apple butter adds a smooth, velvety texture that dissolves perfectly in the drink.
What can I serve with this punch?
This pairs beautifully with savory appetizers like baked brie, roasted nuts, or sweet potato crostini.
Can I serve it warm instead of cold?
Yes! For a cozy variation, warm the apple juice, jam, and spices on the stove, then pour into mugs and top with ginger beer (skip the champagne).
Serving Ideas
- Serve in stemless wine glasses or mason jars with cinnamon sugar rims.
- Float thin apple slices or dried orange rounds for garnish.
- Add a cinnamon stick stirrer for a rustic touch.
- For a Thanksgiving brunch, serve the mocktail version with pumpkin pancakes or apple muffins.
Thanksgiving Punch
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large pitcher, whisk together apple juice, apple jam, and vodka (if using) until smooth.
- Add cinnamon sticks and star anise. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Mix brown sugar and cinnamon on a small plate. Dip the rim of each glass in apple juice, then coat with the cinnamon-sugar mix.
- Fill glasses with ice. Pour in the chilled cider mixture.
- Top each glass with champagne and ginger beer.
- Garnish with apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and a star of anise. Serve immediately.
Notes
Before You Go…
If you try this Thanksgiving Punch, I would love to know how it turned out at your celebration! Did it become a new family tradition? Please take a moment to leave a star rating or share your favorite twist below. Your feedback inspires more festive creations and helps others bring sparkle to their holiday tables! 🍂✨
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