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Festive Thanksgiving Punch Recipe

Festive Thanksgiving Punch Recipe


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4.5 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Rich Thanksgiving Punch blends seasonal spirits with festive cranberry and warming spices. Guests will savor this delightful cocktail that perfectly complements holiday gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml / 32 fl oz) apple cider
  • 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) cranberry juice
  • 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) orange juice
  • 2 cups (480 ml / 16 fl oz) sparkling water or ginger ale
  • ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) lemon juice
  • ¼ cup (50 g / 1.75 oz) brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup fresh cranberries
  • Ice cubes
  • 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) bourbon, rum, or sparkling wine (optional)

Instructions

  1. Liquid Foundation: Combine apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, and lemon juice in a large punch bowl, whisking until perfectly blended.
  2. Flavor Infusion: Integrate brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg, stirring thoroughly to dissolve seasonings completely and create a rich, aromatic base.
  3. Fruit Embellishment: Introduce crisp apple slices, vibrant orange segments, and fresh cranberries into the liquid mixture, allowing fruits to float and enhance visual appeal.
  4. Chilling Process: Refrigerate the punch for at least one hour, enabling ingredients to meld and intensify flavor profiles.
  5. Effervescent Finale: Immediately before serving, gently pour sparkling water or ginger ale to create a light, bubbly texture that elevates the punch’s complexity.
  6. Serving Technique: Fill glasses with ice, ladle the chilled punch, and garnish with a delicate fruit slice for an elegant presentation.
  7. Optional Enhancement: Provide spirits separately, allowing guests to customize their beverage with preferred alcoholic additions if desired.

Notes

  • Chill Ingredients Beforehand: Pre-cool all liquid components in the refrigerator to maintain punch’s crisp, refreshing temperature without excessive ice dilution.
  • Balance Sweet and Tart: Adjust juice ratios carefully to achieve perfect harmony between sweet apple cider and tangy cranberry juice for a well-rounded flavor profile.
  • Prep Fruit Garnishes Strategically: Cut apple and orange slices just before serving to prevent browning and maintain fresh, vibrant appearance in the punch.
  • Customize Alcohol Options: Keep spirits separate to accommodate various guest preferences, allowing flexible serving for both non-alcoholic and alcoholic versions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Drinks, Cocktails
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 70
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 5 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 0 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg