This Thanksgiving punch is perfect for colder months. With aromatic spices, crisp apples, and spiced ginger beer, it is the perfect fall cocktail for a crowd!
Why We Love It
With Thanksgiving around the corner, we are getting ready to enjoy some of our favorite classic Thanksgiving drinks, like cranberry moscow mules and mulled wine.
This Thanksgiving cocktail is always on our table during Thanksgiving meals – it’s packed with fall flavor.
Thanksgiving apple cider punch is large batch, making it perfect for holiday parties – from Thanksgiving to Christmas!
The apple cider adds a deliciously fruity taste while the ginger beer and prosecco add a nice fizzy kick to the punch. It’s perfect for a crowd, and as simple as adding the ingredients to a pitcher!
How To Make Thanksgiving Punch
To make the best Thanksgiving punch:
- Fill a medium pitcher about half full with ice.
- Add apples, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
- Pour in apple cider, vodka, ginger beer. Stir.
- Top with prosecco, and serve immediately.
Tips For Making Perfect Thanksgiving Punch
- We like to use prosecco to top our punch, but soda water works if you want something a little less strong.
- Taste the punch as you go. If you need more ginger beer, prosecco, or apple cider, you can adjust it to your liking!
- Serve the pitcher with a wooden spoon in it. This helps push the ice and garnishes back so it’s easier to pour. I learned this trick from serving sangria!
- Use more ice than you think you need. It melts as the night goes on, so you want to make sure it’s nice and full. This also keeps the garnishes positioned in a pretty way.
- When working with apple slices, make sure they don’t get a chance to oxidize or they will turn brown. Add them into the punch bowl and add the apple cider as soon as possible.
- While pretty, star anise has a black licorice flavor that can be overpowering. Add them as you serve the punch, or into the glasses as garnish.
- We like to put a bowl of ice out next to the punch for serving.
Substitutions
- Caramel vodka will give you a caramel apple flavor, it’s delicious.
- We have tried this with marshmallow vodka before. While sweet, it adds a delicious vanilla flavor to the punch.
- Try using half vodka, and half apple rum or whiskey. We opt for Crown Royal apple.
- Ginger beer has a distinct spicy flavor. If you’re not a fan, substitute ginger ale.
- Want it a little stronger? Add an extra splash of vodka. We won’t tell.
- Fresh cranberries, oranges and lemons are also bright and delicious garnishes.
- For a Thanksgiving punch mocktail, omit the vodka. Top with soda water or sparkling apple juice instead of prosecco. We like to make a non alcoholic version next to the adult version, so everyone can enjoy the punch during Thanksgiving.
Leftovers?
If there are leftovers, don’t add the prosecco to the punch. Instead, top each cocktail with it as you serve, so it stays nice and carbonated.
This Thanksgiving punch recipe can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before it begins to lose flavor.
Before storing, remove the star anise and cinnamon sticks. Otherwise, they will steep overnight and add too much flavor to the punch.
We also like to scoop out any extra ice to prevent it from watering the punch down in the fridge. Just add a little more before serving.
Our Most Popular Cocktails
Thanksgiving Punch
Ingredients
- 8 cups ice
- 3 quarts apple cider
- 2 bottles ginger beer 12 fl oz
- 1 bottle prosecco or sparkling white wine
- ⅔ cup vodka
- apple slices garnish
- star anise garnish
- cinnamon sticks garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pitcher 3/4 full with ice. Add garnishes.
- Pour in apple cider, ginger beer, and vodka.
- If serving immediately, add prosecco before serving. If serving over the course of the night, top each glass with prosecco so it stays fizzy.
Notes
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