Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler Punch Recipe
Introduction
This Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler Punch is a festive and flavorful drink perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining tart cranberries, warm spices, and a splash of bourbon with bubbly champagne, it’s sure to delight your guests with every sip.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 6 cups 100% cranberry juice or cranberry pomegranate juice
- 2 cups apple cider
- 8 ounces (1 cup) Bourbon
- 3 ounces (1/3 cup) orange liqueur
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 orange, sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 bottle (750 ml) champagne
- Star anise, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: To make the cranberry syrup, combine 1/2 cup water, maple syrup, brown sugar, fresh cranberries, and 1 cinnamon stick in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Let it boil for about 5 minutes until the cranberries begin to burst, then remove from heat.
- Step 2: Stir in the orange zest. If the syrup becomes too thick, add a little more water to thin it out. Allow the syrup to cool completely. You may strain out the cranberries if you prefer a smoother syrup.
- Step 3: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled cranberry syrup with cranberry juice, apple cider, bourbon, orange liqueur, and orange bitters. Stir well to blend all the flavors.
- Step 4: Add the 4 cinnamon sticks and 1 to 2 star anise for an extra fragrant note. Chill the mixture until you are ready to serve.
- Step 5: Just before serving, fill a punch bowl with ice. Pour the chilled punch mixture over the ice, then slowly add the champagne to give the punch a sparkling finish.
- Step 6: Stir in the orange slices and garnish with additional star anise if desired. Serve the punch over ice in glasses, optionally decorated with sugared cranberries for a festive touch.
Tips & Variations
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the bourbon, orange liqueur, and bitters, and substitute the champagne with sparkling water or a non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
- If fresh cranberries aren’t available, frozen cranberries work well for the syrup.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the maple syrup and brown sugar according to your taste.
- For extra spice, add cloves or nutmeg to the syrup while boiling.
Storage
Store any leftover punch base (without champagne) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, stir and add fresh champagne and ice. Prepared punch with champagne is best enjoyed immediately as the bubbles will fade over time.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the punch ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cranberry syrup and punch base up to 2 days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Add the champagne and ice just before serving to maintain its fizz.
What can I use instead of bourbon?
If you prefer a milder drink or want to avoid bourbon, you can substitute with spiced rum, brandy, or simply omit the alcohol for a family-friendly version.
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Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler Punch Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 8–10 servings 1x
Description
A festive and flavorful Thanksgiving cranberry cobbler punch combining tart cranberry syrup, bourbon, orange liqueur, apple cider, and champagne for a refreshing holiday cocktail perfect for gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
Cranberry Syrup
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Zest from 1 large orange
- 1/2 cup water
Punch
- 6 cups 100% cranberry juice or cranberry pomegranate juice
- 2 cups apple cider
- 8 ounces (1 cup) bourbon
- 3 ounces (1/3 cup) orange liqueur
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 orange, sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1–2 star anise (optional)
- 1 bottle (750 ml) champagne
- Ice
- Sugared cranberries (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Cranberry Syrup: In a medium pot, combine 1/2 cup water, maple syrup, brown sugar, fresh cranberries, and one cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then continue boiling for about 5 minutes or until the cranberries start to burst. Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest. If the syrup thickens too much, add a little more water to thin it out. Allow the syrup to cool completely. Optionally, strain out the cranberries before proceeding.
- Prepare the Punch: In a large pitcher, mix together the cooled cranberry syrup, cranberry juice, apple cider, bourbon, orange liqueur, and orange bitters. Stir well until all ingredients are fully combined. Add the cinnamon sticks and star anise for extra aroma and flavor. Chill the punch mixture until ready to serve.
- Serve the Punch: Just before serving, fill a punch bowl with ice and pour the chilled punch over it. Slowly add the bottle of champagne to the punch, gently stirring to combine. Add the sliced orange pieces into the bowl for garnish and extra fruity notes. Prepare cocktail glasses with ice, then pour the punch into each glass. Optionally, garnish with sugared cranberries for a festive touch.
Notes
- You can strain the syrup to remove the cranberry solids if you prefer a smoother punch.
- Adjust the amount of bourbon and orange liqueur to taste if you want a lighter or stronger cocktail.
- Sugared cranberries can be made ahead by tossing fresh cranberries in sugar and letting them dry.
- Star anise is optional but adds a lovely spice aroma to the punch.
- Use chilled cranberry juice and apple cider to speed up chilling time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Thanksgiving punch, cranberry cocktail, bourbon punch, holiday drink, festive beverages, cranberry cobbler punch
