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 Thanksgiving punch recipe that’s both festive and delicious. Rim your glasses in sweet cinnamon sugar to create a magical fall apple cider punch cocktail that all your guests will love this Thanksgiving!
Half Baked Harvest At Home
20+ new recipes for wholesome comfort food made with everyday ingredients. Pre-order today! HBH At Home will be released on Tuesday, February 23rd!
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 cocktails you can make in a batch!
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!
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 or drink dispenser, 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 or ginger ale, then serve!
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 cubes and topped each pretty-rimmed glass off with ginger beer. Last but not least, I added a fresh apple slice and cinnamon stick too! Fresh cranberries would be a nice touch as well.
So easy, festive, and very pretty!
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 non-alcoholic Thanksgiving punch variation!
I hope you all enjoy this very fun drink and that it brings plenty of cheer 🥂🍾 to your holiday season!
Looking for other easy punch recipes?? Here are my favorites:
Sparkling Christmas Party Punch
Holiday Cheermeister Bourbon Punch
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
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
Cinnamon sugar Rim
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- pomegranate or orange juice, for the rim
- star anise, for garnish
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.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Thanksgiving Cider Mocktail Punch
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 4 dashes orange bitters
- 2 cups sparkling white grape juice
- 4-5 bottles ginger beer
- 2 apples, sliced
Cinnamon Rim
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- pomegranate or orange juice, for the 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.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
So delicious and definitely a favorite for the holiday! Thank you ❤️
Hi Vanessa,
Thank you so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx
Punch is delicious. I didn’t have the orange bitters but otherwise it all worked!! Thank you!
Hi Sara,
Thank you so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx
Just making this now! Does it really need the apple cider vinegar?
Hi Sarah,
This recipe calls for apple cider, which yes you do need to use, not vinegar:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I made this for Thanksgiving and it is delish! It looks beautiful in the glass with the brown sugar rim. Thank you for the recipe!
Hi Michelle,
Thank you so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx
I made the mocktail version for the kids and myself since I’m pregnant this year but can’t wait to try the alcohol version next year! The mocktail was so delicious and perfect for Thanksgiving dinner! Taking it to our second celebration today as well!
Hi Amanda,
Thank you so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx
I made a test batch of this before I make it tomorrow. Absolutely delicious!! Do yourself a favor and do the cinnamon sugar rim. So good!!!
Hi Alissa,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
Hi! This looks AMAZING! Do you have any recs on how to make this single or double serving? Love everything you do!
Thanks so much Grace! just adjust the serving size and the ingredients will automatically adjust for you:) I hope you love the recipe! Cheers!! xx
What style or kind of champagne is best for this punch? So excited to make this for thanksgiving (mixed crowed of drinkers and non-drinkers).
Hey Taylor,
I like to use Veuve Brut. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
Wondering if it would make a huge difference if I left out the bitters? I don’t have any on hand. Or if bitters are needed- would just regular instead of orange work? Thanks in advance!
Hi Mackenzie,
I would go ahead and use the regular bitters:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
Question, right before serving, is it okay to pour in the ginger beer and champagne to the punch bowl? Or do you need to pour the punch mixture into each glass and then top with the ginger beer and champagne? In other words, are we meant to combine everything in the punch bowl before serving, or no? Thank you! Can’t wait to serve this at Thanksgiving!
Hi Ashley,
Everything goes into the punch bowl:) You just wait to add the ginger beer and champagne until serving because of the carbonation. I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xx
Hi! I’m in panic mode because I don’t have enough apple cider and our stores are out. I used 4 cups so far but I’m wondering if I could use hard cider for the other 4 cups I need? Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Jessica,
Hard cider will work for you, but you might want to reduce the vodka otherwise it’s going to be a super strong drink! Or just reduce everything else to match the 4 cups of cider. Happy Thanksgiving! xx
Hello. Going to try this for Thanksgiving. Two questions: would this work to cut the recipe in half and then if I left out the vodka and just used champagne, would it still be good? Thank you in advance!
Hey Jodi,
Sure, both of those would work for you. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
I can’t find apple butter – what can I use as a substitute?
Hi Elise,
You can go ahead and make the apple butter or pumpkin butter will also work well for you!
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-slow-cooker-maple-apple-butter/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
What size ginger beer bottles?
Hey there,
I used bottles that were about 12 ounces. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
Anyone try this with bourbon?
Hi Hannah,
Sorry, I’ve not tried this with bourbon, but here are some other bourbon drinks you might enjoy:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/spiced-honey-bourbon-old-fashioned/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cinnamon-bourbon-fizz/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cranberry-bourbon-sour/
I hope this helps! Cheers! xx
Hi Tieghan, what kind of unsweetened spiced apple cider do you get? I was at two stores and could not find any.
Thank you.
Hey Gerri,
I typically get one from my local grocery store that comes from a local orchard. You probably won’t find one that’s unsweetened. Please let me know if you have any other questions!!