This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

Get into the spirit of the season with this Thanksgiving Cider Punch. Warming apple cider, vodka, apple butter, and bitters, mixed with whole cinnamon sticks, ginger beer, and bubbly champagne. Mix everything together to create the perfect holiday punch that’s both festive and delicious. Rim your glasses in sweet cinnamon sugar to create a magical fall cocktail that everyone will love this Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Cider Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

Well, it’s about time I shared a punch recipe, right? The overall goal for this year’s holiday recipes is simplicity and ease. You probably got that idea yesterday when viewing my 2022 Thanksgiving dinner menu. Everything on our menu this year is easy to throw together and can easily be made ahead of time too!

I know all too well that when you’re entertaining a large crowd you need to take the work out of serving up your yummy cocktails. Meaning, cocktails that serve everyone!

Enter holiday punches!

Thanksgiving Cider Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

For some reason, I haven’t shared many punch recipes. I’m not sure why, they’re great! I love making them for the added bonus that while they chill in the fridge, they’ll develop an even more intense and delicious flavor.

We can all love that!

Thanksgiving Cider Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

Here are the details

You’ll need apple cider. I like to use spiced apple cider with no sugar added. Then vodka, apple butter, bitters, and cinnamon sticks.

Mix this all together in a large punch bowl, then chill the mix until you plan to serve. This can be made 3 to 4 days ahead.

Just before serving, pour over a bottle of champagne and a couple of bottles of ginger beer, then serve!

Thanksgiving Cider Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

A fancier approach

To go the extra mile, make a cinnamon sugar rim! Just coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

For photos, I left the ginger beer out of my punch bowl. I then poured the champagne punch mix over ice and topped each pretty-rimmed glass off with ginger beer. Last but not least, I added a fresh apple slice and cinnamon stick too!

So easy, festive, and very pretty!

Thanksgiving Cider Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

This cocktail is perfect for any and all of your upcoming parties. But it’s also great to enjoy with a small group of family or friends. I love that it’s not loaded with added sugars like most punch recipes. Plus, it is SO EASY to make.

For friends who don’t drink, you’ve still got them covered, simply make the mocktail variation!

I hope you all enjoy this very fun drink and that it brings plenty of cheer 🥂🍾 to your holiday season!

Thanksgiving Cider Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other easy punch recipes?? Here are my favorites: 

Pumpkin Head Punch

Sparkling Christmas Party Punch

Holiday Cheermeister Bourbon Punch

Spiced Cranberry Punch

Thanksgiving Sangria

Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned Pitcher

Lastly, if you make this Thanksgiving Cider Punch, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Thanksgiving Cider Punch

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 268 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Cinnamon sugar Rim

Instructions

  • 1. In a large pitcher, combine the cider, vodka, apple butter, and bitters. Stir until combined. Add the cinnamon sticks and 1-2 star anise (if you like). Chill until ready to serve. 
    2. Just before serving, add ice to your punch bowl. Pour over the champagne and ginger beer. Add ice to cocktail glasses and pour over the punch. Serve with apple slices.
    3. To make the cinnamon rim, on a small plate, mix the coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Dip the rim of the glass into a thin layer of juice. Then dip the glass into the sugar mix.
View Recipe Comments

Thanksgiving Cider Mocktail Punch

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 232 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Cinnamon Rim

Instructions

  • 1. In a large pitcher, combine the cider, vinegar, apple butter, and bitters. Stir until combined. Add the cinnamon sticks and 1-2 star anise (if you like). Chill until ready to serve. 
    2. Just before serving, Add ice to your punch bowl. Pour over the grape juice and ginger beer. Stir in the apples. Add ice to cocktail glasses and pour over the punch. Serve with apple slices.
    3. To make the cinnamon rim, on a small plate, mix the coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Dip the rim of the glass into a thin layer of juice. Then dip the glass into the sugar mix.
View Recipe Comments
Thanksgiving Cider Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

Add a Comment

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Hey Tieghan. I’m making this for Thanksgiving this year, mostly for myself since most of the crowd prefer wine and beer. The trouble is, I really don’t like any fermented beverage, be it beer, these fruity alcoholic beer-like drinks, wine.. and eek, even champagne. I toast with the same as the kids.. sparkling white grape juice, lol.

    Anyhow, I will omit the champagne here but understand that that it brings a sorta bitter tartness. Shall I increase the bitters, or maybe just up the tartness with unsweetened concentrated cider? How might you balance the punch in the absence 9f champagne or anything like it?

    1. Hey Melissa,
      You can go ahead and follow the mock-tail recipe as listed above, that will work well for you:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xx

    1. Hey Sydney,
      Sure, Prosecco would be great to use! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx

  2. Tiegan, thank you for including this mocktail recipe for us non drinkers. It looks delicious and I’m going to make it for Thanksgiving. I will sere the vodka on the side for those who wish to have it.

    1. Hey there,
      I wouldn’t skip the apple butter, it does add great flavor here! You could also do pumpkin butter:) I hope this helps! Cheers! xx

    1. Hi Cree,
      Two bottles or cans of ginger beer:) I like Tito’s and Veuve for vodka and champagne. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT

    1. Hey Rebekah,
      Awesome!! 🍂 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for trying it out! xx

  3. This looks so good! Is there anything that could be subbed in place of orange bitters, or would it taste ok without? Also how many ounces of ginger beer?

    1. Hey Rachel,
      You could skip the orange bitters and I used 12 ounce bottles of ginger beer. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xT

  4. Recipe calls for two bottles of ginger beer. What size bottles did you use for the punch? Also, have a favorite ginger beer?

    1. Hey Amy,
      I used 12 ounce bottles and I really like Bundaberg ginger beer. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! Cheers! xx