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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!
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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.
What a fabulous Thanksgiving mocktail/cocktail! Well received by all. One batch of each, pre-made and set up for easy self-serve.
Thanks a bunch, Kym:) Love to hear this cocktail was enjoyed! cheers! xxT
I made this minus the cinnamon sticks since my cider was pretty heavy on the cinnamon already. I made about 2/3rds of it with the alcohol and the other third I left without the vodka and champagne. I was blown away that it was totally gone by the time dinner was over. That is a as successful as it gets. I did rim the glasses as suggested, and everyone enjoyed it.
Thanks so much, Christine!! I am so glad to hear this punch was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! Have a great Tuesday! xx
Do the bitters make our break the punch if omitted? Are there any good substitutions that you’d recommend? Thanks!
Hi Carly,
Your punch should be okay without the bitters. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Thanksgiving! xx
Hi. I made this recipe last thanksgiving & everybody loved it! I’m planning on making it again. I saw that the stores carry spiced cider and honey crisp cider. I was wondering if either cider would go well with this recipe. Would you recommend one over the other? I used original apple cider last year.
Hi Kristin,
Thanks so much for making this recipe! I think either one of those would work nicely for you:) Cheers! xx
Hi! We’re hosting Thanksgiving this year and can’t wait to try this punch. Could I use white rum instead of vodka? Not sure if this would make it too sweet or mask important flavors. Thank you!
Hey Melissa,
How exciting! I’m not sure I would recommend rum with this recipe, I think vodka or even gin is best to use. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
Hi! Exited to try this at Thanksgiving! Trying to figure out what the dehydrated star/flower looking garnishes are in the punch.. what are they and where can I find them? Such a beautiful visual, gotta do it right 🙂
They are whole star anise.
Thanks so much, Abbey! It’s just star anise:) Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! Cheers! xT
Hi there,
I really want to make this recipe for christmas but i’m from the uk and i today learned apple cider in the US is non alcoholic and still. Here it is alcoholic and fizzy. What would recommend instead as we dont get that here? I was thinking good quality cloudy apple juice but unsure if this will be too sweet?
Any recommendations would be great 😁🤗
P. S. Love you site… Think ive made most of your tacos ☺️
Hi there! Yes, a good quality apple juice would work great! 🙂
This punch was cloyingly sweet. Almost undrinkable. I had to add juice of 5 lemons to cut the sweetness. I have been a big fan of your recipes and told many people about our site. With all of the ads now it is almost unusable. The pop up ads have ruined the experience.
Hi Gwen,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed. Please let me know how I can help! xx
Well, I used your recipe to make the cider and apple butter. But the punch really came out so mild that I wouldn’t go to the trouble to make it again. I couldn’t think of what would help it … more cinnamon? Cloves? Allspice? Bummed not to be able to save it. Your other recipes have all been spot on! Thank you.
Hi Judy,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! Please let me know how I can help! xx
hi! how many 12oz bottles of ginger beer should I use for this recipe?
Hi there,
This recipe calls for 2 bottles. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
How many oz is in a bottle on ginger beer? I’m not sure if you mean a small can or a 16 oz bottle.
Hi Molly,
I like to use a 12 ounce ginger beer. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
Could you serve this warm, leave out the champagne and top with it before serving?
Hey Jennifer,
Hmmm, I’ve never thought about doing this, but I suppose you could give it a try! Let me know how it turns out for you! xx
Would this work with Bourbon instead of vodka??thanks so much:)
I am wondering the same thing. Sure seems like it would be good!
Yeah, I think it would work well for you! Let me know if you give it a try:)
Hey Deana,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Here are some other bourbon recipes you might enjoy as well:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cranberry-bourbon-sour/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cinnamon-bourbon-fizz/
I hope this helps! Cheers! xT
Hi Anne,
Thanks for the recipe. What size ginger beer bottle should be used? And is it. Hard ginger beer or just regular ginger beer?
Thanks so much!
Melissa
You left the ginger beer out for the photos, so do we also top off each glad with it or does it get mixed in?
Hi Judy,
You are going to use 2 bottles of ginger beer for the punch, you do not need to top each glass off with it:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xT
Hey Melissa,
I like to use a 12 ounce bottle of ginger beer, Bundaberg is my fave:) It’s non-alcoholic. I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xx
I want to serve this punch at Thanksgiving. Any recommendations on a punch bowl? Or would you serve in a pitcher?
Hi Anne,
You could totally just use a pitcher or here is the like for a super cute punch bowl:
https://rstyle.me/+OYrDui_-wNKMPepw3RBgSQ
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
For the ginger beer – how big are the bottles? What brand do you use?
Hi Caitlin,
I really like the Bundaberg brand, they are 12 ounce bottles. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx