Introduction

This Thanksgiving Punch is a festive and refreshing drink perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining apple cider, sparkling ginger ale or champagne, and seasonal fruits, it brings a delightful balance of sweetness and spice.

The image shows two clear rounded glasses filled with a light amber drink, each glass containing a layered mix of colorful fruit slices. At the bottom, there are green apple slices with a smooth texture, followed by whole red cranberries that float near the surface. On top of the fruit, half-moon orange slices with bright, juicy flesh sit prominently. The drink's surface has a light sprinkle of cinnamon or spice, adding a subtle speckled texture. The glasses rest on a white marbled surface scattered with artificial autumn leaves in red, yellow, green, and orange tones, adding a seasonal touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 gallon apple cider
48 oz ginger ale
1 red apple, sliced thin
1 green apple, sliced thin
1 navel orange, sliced thin
1 cup frozen cranberries
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
5 cinnamon sticks (for garnish and flavor)

Instructions

Step 1: In a 2-gallon drink jar, pour 2 cups of apple cider.
Step 2: Whisk in the pumpkin pie spice until there are no clumps, then add the remaining apple cider.
Step 3: Add the ginger ale or champagne. You can use either one, both, or a mix depending on your preference.
Step 4: Add the sliced apples, orange slices, frozen cranberries, and cinnamon sticks to the jar. Stir gently to combine.
Step 5: Refrigerate the punch for 2-3 hours to let the flavors meld and serve chilled in glasses garnished as desired.

Tips & Variations

For a stronger punch, add vodka or whiskey to taste.
Replace ginger ale with champagne (750 ml bottle) for a bubbly twist.
Use fresh cinnamon sticks for a subtle spice and decorative touch.

Storage

Store the punch in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Stir gently before serving again and keep it chilled for the best flavor. If the punch loses fizz, add a little extra ginger ale or champagne before serving.

How to Serve

The image shows a clear glass pitcher filled with a layered drink, with a base layer of dark amber liquid and topped with ice cubes, red cranberries, and a slice of orange. In front of the pitcher, there are two clear glasses, each filled with pinkish liquid, ice cubes, red cranberries, and a small orange wedge on top, garnished with a cinnamon stick. The pitcher and glasses are placed on a woven white rope mat on a white marbled surface, with some out-of-focus tomatoes and fall decorations in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this punch non-alcoholic?

Yes, simply use ginger ale or sparkling water instead of champagne or any added liquor to keep it festive and alcohol-free.

How far in advance can I prepare the punch?

You can prepare the punch up to 2 days in advance. Just add the sparkling ginger ale or champagne right before serving to keep it fizzy.

Thanksgiving Punch Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 407 reviews

A festive and refreshing Thanksgiving Punch featuring apple cider, ginger ale or champagne, fresh fruit slices, and warm pumpkin pie spice for a perfect holiday beverage. This cold punch is easy to prepare and can be customized with champagne or spirits for a stronger drink.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes (including chilling time)
Yield: Approximately 12–16 servings 1x
Category: Beverage
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Base

1 gallon apple cider
48 oz ginger ale (or 1 bottle 750ml champagne as substitute)

Fruits

1 red apple, sliced thin
1 green apple, sliced thin
1 navel orange, sliced thin
1 cup frozen cranberries

Spices and Garnish

1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
5 cinnamon sticks (for garnish and flavor)

Optional Alcohol

Vodka or whisky, to taste (optional for stronger punch)

Instructions

Prepare Base: In a 2-gallon drink jar, pour 2 cups of apple cider to start the mixture.
Mix Pumpkin Pie Spice: Whisk in 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice thoroughly into the initial cider portion until no clumps remain, ensuring an even flavor distribution.
Add Remaining Liquids: Pour in the rest of the apple cider, then add the 48 oz of ginger ale or substitute with champagne; options include using either one, both, or a combination thereof.
Add Fruits and Spices: Add the thinly sliced red apple, green apple, navel orange, frozen cranberries, and 5 cinnamon sticks into the jar. Stir gently to combine and infuse flavors.
Chill: Refrigerate the punch for 2 to 3 hours to allow flavors to meld and to serve cold.
Serve and Store: Pour the punch into garnished glasses and enjoy. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, keeping fresh for 3 to 4 days.

Notes

You can replace ginger ale with champagne for a sparkling version.
Add vodka or whisky if you prefer a stronger alcoholic punch.
Use a large jar or punch bowl capable of holding at least 2 gallons to accommodate all ingredients comfortably.
For best flavor, refrigerate punch several hours before serving.
The punch keeps well refrigerated for up to 4 days, but fresh fruit may become softer over time.

Keywords: Thanksgiving punch, holiday punch, apple cider punch, festive drinks, pumpkin spice punch, cold punch recipe