Next Post
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!
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
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.
Watch the How-To Reel
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.
Thanksgiving Cider Mocktail Punch
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
- 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.
This post was originally published on November 12, 2022
Hi! Do you use nonalcoholic ginger beer or alcoholic ginger beer?
Hi Liane,
You will want to use a non-alcoholic ginger beer. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
What a delicious cocktail! We love it!
Hey Lisa,
Awesome! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you! Thanks for making it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
When you click to print the regular drink, it pulls up the mocktail recipe just an fyi!
Thanks so much for letting us know, Sara!
To make a non-alcoholic version would you add a sparkling water with flavor to substitute the champagne? And just leave out the vodka?
Hi Jacqueline,
The mocktail recipe is also written above:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers!
Hi. Looking forward to trying this for holidays. Do you think caramel vodka would work or make it too sweet ?
Hey Brenda,
That sounds like it could be a yummy idea! Let me know if you give it a try!
I just made this, it hasn’t even had time for the flavors to meld, but it is delicious! I used TJ’s Ginger Brew in the green bottle with the porcelain flip top lid, your recipe for homemade apple butter, and local apple cider. Fab-u-lous! Thank you 🙏
Thanks so much, Stephanie! I appreciate you trying this recipe, so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great fall weekend!
We drink this every year for Thanksgiving! It’s our go-to drink. I look forward to it every year! Absolutely delicious!
Hey there,
Really appreciate you making this recipe each year and reporting back. Thrilled it always turns out well!
I made this for book club and everyone said it was tasty but too sweet. Is there a way to reduce the sweetness? I only used 1 bottle of ginger beer.
Hi Kacey,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback! Next time, you could skip the cinnamon sugar rim. I would also try to use an apple cider that doesn’t have any added sugars. You could also use less apple butter. I hope this helps. Cheers!
What size bottle of ginger beer?
Hi Ashley,
I use a 12 oz bottle of ginger beer. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers!
One 12 oz bottle or two?
Hi Diana,
You will want to use two bottles.
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers!