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Getting in the Thanksgiving spirit with this Spiced Cranberry Punch. Homemade spiced cranberry jam with warming mulling spices, sweet honey, fresh citrus, and plenty of vodka. Mix everything together to create an easy, festive, pitcher style cocktail that’s simple to create, warming, and delicious. Added bonus? This easy punch is pretty enough to be the centerpiece of your holiday table and can be made ahead of time for stress-free holiday entertaining. It’s the perfect cocktail to serve this Thanksgiving…and even Christmas too!
And here we go! It’s finally time to share the first Thanksgiving cocktail of the holiday season. We’ve got only two Saturdays left before Thanksgiving and I have each day set with cocktails that I’m so excited to share. First, the Thanksgiving “party” punch.
I struggled with just what to call this pretty cocktail because I know many of us are not gathering for large Thanksgiving dinners this year. We’ve all said, it’s going to be a different holiday season. But that doesn’t mean our celebrations should be any less fun, even if they’re on the smaller side.
And let’s be real, no matter the size of your Thanksgiving gathering, everyone needs a good punch.
So whether you’re celebrating with a small group, or there’s just two of you…party punch is essential. And the leftovers are even better come black Friday.
Making this spiced cranberry punch is easy.
The key to this fun drink is the cranberry jam/syrup. It uses fresh fruit just like a jam would, but its consistency is much more syrup-like. It’s a bit of a cross between jam and syrup. Whatever you’d like to call it, it’s a delicious mix of sweet honey, fresh tart cranberries, spicy ginger, cinnamon, plus warming all-spice and cloves. The honey balances out the tart cranberries, while the mulling spices add coziness and warmth. Perfect for a Thanksgiving cocktail
To make the jam, just add all ingredients to a pot. Bring to a boil, boil a minute or two, and done. So simple and easy, but it’s the heart of this drink.
Once the jam has cooled, strain out the mulling spices and burst cranberries. You can either leave some of the burst cranberries swirled throughout the jam, or strain them all out. I like to leave some of the cranberries behind. I love the festive color they add to each drink.
Once the jam has been strained, add it to a large pitcher with cranberry juice, orange juice, and vodka. Chill until ready to serve, then simply top the punch off with sparkling water.
Couldn’t be easier. If you wanted to switch up the alcohol, a spiced rum would be especially delicious and fun too! In fact, I might make a rum version for my family, they’d love it!
Finish it up.
Just before serving, add fresh orange slices. I used blood oranges, but small clementines would be great, and really pretty too.
This cocktail is both refreshing and warming, perfect for a chilly November night, or a snow-filled Thanksgiving Day…which is exactly what I’m hoping for this year. Complete with freshly baked pies, candles, and family.
Already so excited!
Looking for other Thanksgiving cocktails? Here are my favorites:Â
Lastly, if you make this Spiced Cranberry 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!
Spiced Cranberry Punch
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 296 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup, using more or less to your taste
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 8 all-spice berries
- 5 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cups 100% cranberry or pomegranate juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 1/2-2 cups vodka
- 4-6 (12 ounce) cans sparkling water
- chai spice sugar or cinnamon sugar, for the rim (optional)
- sliced oranges, mint, and star anise, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. In a pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the cranberries, honey, ginger, all-spice, cloves, and cinnamon sticks to a boil over high heat. Boil 5 minutes, until the cranberries begin to burst, then remove from the heat. Let cool. Remove the ginger slices, all-spice berries, and cloves. If desired, strain out the cranberries.2. In a large pitcher, combine the cranberry syrup, cranberry juice, orange juice, and vodka. Chill until ready to serve. 3. Just before serving, add the sparkling water. If desired, rim each class in Chai sugar (recipe in notes), then fill with ice and pour the punch over. Garnish each drink with an orange slice and star anise, if desired.Â
Notes
Chai Sugar: In a shallow bowl, combine 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon all-spice, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, a tiny pinch of pepper, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar.Â
Question! When you mention 2 cups of cranberries are you meaning two physical cups or 16 oz of cranberries?
Hey Mary,
Lol is this a trick question? You will want to use 2 cups or 16 ounces of cranberries. I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xx
I’m excited to make this for Friendsgiving!! Do you think I could add a splash of champagne?
Hey Jessica,
Sure, champagne would be great!! I hope this turns out amazing for you! Cheers! xT
Loved this recipe!! Will definitely make again around holidays.
Hi Miriam,
Happy Monday!🎃 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xx
Sounds delish! How far in advance can I make the syrup?
Hi Lea,
The syrup is good for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Made this for thanksgiving, forgot to buy cranberry juice and just used the syrup, and fresh orange juice. It’s such an easy recipe to improvise on. I added a little nutmeg and star anise while cooking the syrup. The spice flavors were incredible. The punch ran out almost immediately after serving and people kept asking for more!
Hey Aelia,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! I’m in Oz and can’t seem to find all spice berries! Could I use ground allspice and if so, how much? Thanks so much. Cat 🙂
Hey Cat,
I would just use a dash of ground all spice. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, cheers! xTieghan
In New Zealand, I find they’re called pimento. Maybe the same in Australia?
Hi, I used 2/3 teaspoon ground allspice using 1/2 teaspoon equals 6 whole berries. Turned out perfectly.
I found some in the mexican section of our grocery…they are a little larger but work fine.
Ok so I was worried I’d messed this up, because I forgot to add the syrup to the cranberry. I put it straight in the punch. Also full disclosure I was lazy & just did pumpkin pie spice in the cranberry. At first taste (like the second I mixed it) it was too OJ-forward. I added some extra pom juice (maybe 1/2-1 cup) and tossed in 2 cinnamon cinnamon sticks. After 24 hours in the fridge….it was amazing! The flavors mingled in a fantastic way. This is Christmas in a glass. For the sparkling water I just added an inch or two to each glass & gently stirred so it didn’t go flat. I’m sure if I hadn’t gotten off track & made it as written it’d be just as delicious. This will be a holiday keeper for years to come.
Hi Lauren,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Looks yummy. Is this recipe calling for organic raw cranberry juice – no sugar added (ie Trader Joe’s) or like a Welch’s cranberry juice?
Hey Mariana,
It’s really up to you, if you prefer your drinks to be sweeter than use the Welch’s cranberry juice. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Would like to make this but with no alcohol.. suggestions please as it looks delicious and delightful..
Hi Arlene! I would use a yummy sparkling water or maybe Sprite! xTieghan
A good quality ginger ale might be good
This is delicious! Just a note…I have made this twice now, and the first time, the cranberry syrup was more like a sauce. So the second time, I used half of the orange juice with the cranberries and the consistency was perfect! Thanks for the recipe!
Amazing! Thank you so much for trying this recipe! xTieghan
I made this recipe for Thanksgiving cocktail this year and it was a big hit! It was so delicious. I do like my cocktails a bit sweeter, so I added a little simple syrup to the pitcher to taste.
Thank you Lisa! xTieghan
Great and not too sweet! Loved it. Any recommendations for what else to use the leftover chai spice sugar on/in?
Hey Kristel,
Thank you so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed! Here are some other recipes that use the chai spice:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chai-pumpkin-latte-cupcakes/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chai-spiced-apple-ricotta-galette/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/chai-spiced-maple-sugar-cookies/
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Wow this was even better after I left it overnight with all the spices and cranberries! Another keeper, thanks!
Thank you Dana! xTieghan
So I’ve made the syrup part. But after it chilled it seemed more like a cranberry sauce. Should I just use that or water is down? Or should I just try and press all the juice out?
Hey Rosemary,
You can go ahead and water it down a bit. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
How much syrup does this make? Mine is pretty watery. Do you include the rest of the berries? Or just a few?
This makes about 1 cup of syrup. Yes, I include the berries. It’s should be pretty think and not too thick. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! And Happy Holidays!! xTieghan ?