Thanksgiving Cider Punch Recipe
Introduction
This Thanksgiving Cider Punch is a festive and flavorful drink perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining apple cider, vodka, and warm spices with a sparkling finish, it’s both refreshing and cozy. Serve it chilled with apple slices and a cinnamon-sugared rim for extra charm.
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider
- 1 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 4 dashes orange bitters
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 bottle (750 ml) champagne
- 2 bottles ginger beer
- 2 apples, sliced
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pomegranate or orange juice, for the rim
- Star anise, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pitcher, combine the apple cider, vodka, apple butter, and orange bitters. Stir well until all ingredients are blended. Add the cinnamon sticks and 1 to 2 star anise for extra flavor. Chill the mixture until you are ready to serve.
- Step 2: Just before serving, fill a punch bowl with ice. Pour in the chilled cider mixture, then slowly add the champagne and ginger beer. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 3: To prepare the cinnamon-sugar rim, mix coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon on a small plate. Dip the rim of each glass into pomegranate or orange juice to moisten, then dip it into the sugar mixture to coat.
- Step 4: Fill cocktail glasses with ice and pour the punch over. Garnish each glass with apple slices and a star anise pod for a festive touch. Serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit vodka and champagne, using extra ginger beer and sparkling water instead.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar or apple butter according to your taste.
- Add fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs to the punch bowl for an herbal note.
- For extra spice, gently muddle a few cloves or nutmeg in the cider mixture before chilling.
Storage
Store any leftover punch mixture (without champagne and ginger beer) covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Add the sparkling ingredients fresh before serving to maintain fizz. Leftover served punch is best consumed immediately; avoid storing punches with carbonation to preserve bubbles and flavor.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this punch ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cider mixture with vodka, apple butter, and spices up to a day in advance and chill it. Add the champagne and ginger beer just before serving for the best fizz and freshness.
What can I use if I don’t have apple butter?
If apple butter isn’t available, you can substitute with unsweetened applesauce and a bit of cinnamon or add a splash of apple juice concentrate for extra sweetness and depth.
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Thanksgiving Cider Punch Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 10–12 servings 1x
Description
This festive Thanksgiving Cider Punch is a refreshing and flavorful cocktail combining apple cider, vodka, apple butter, and spices, topped with champagne and ginger beer for a sparkling finish. It features a cinnamon-sugar rim and garnishes with apple slices and star anise, making it a charming and seasonal drink perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Cocktail Base
- 8 cups apple cider
- 1 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 4 dashes orange bitters
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1–2 star anise (optional)
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 bottle (750 ml) champagne
- 2 bottles ginger beer
- 2 apples, sliced
- star anise, for garnish
Cinnamon Sugar Rim
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- pomegranate or orange juice, for the rim
Instructions
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a large pitcher, mix together the apple cider, vodka, apple butter, and orange bitters until well combined. Add the cinnamon sticks and star anise if using, then chill the mixture until ready to serve to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Punch for Serving: Just before serving, fill your punch bowl with ice. Pour in the chilled cider mixture, then add the bottle of champagne and the bottles of ginger beer. Stir gently to combine and chill further.
- Serve with Garnishes: Add ice cubes to individual cocktail glasses, then pour the punch over the ice. Garnish each glass with slices of apple for added texture and visual appeal.
- Create the Cinnamon Sugar Rim: On a small plate, combine the coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Dip the rim of each glass into a thin layer of pomegranate or orange juice to moisten, then dip into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat the rim evenly for a spicy-sweet accent.
Notes
- You can omit vodka for a non-alcoholic version and increase the ginger beer and champagne substitutes with sparkling water.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon sticks and star anise according to your preferred spice intensity.
- Serve immediately after mixing the champagne and ginger beer to retain the fizz.
- Use fresh apples for garnish to ensure crispness and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Thanksgiving punch, apple cider cocktail, holiday drink, cider punch, sparkling punch, fall cocktail
