When you think of Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? For me, it is the warmth of family, the delicious smells from the kitchen, and that cozy feeling of togetherness. This year, I wanted to create a drink that captures all of that holiday magic in a glass.
Let me introduce you to the star of your holiday beverage table. This is my favorite Harvest Spiced Bourbon Punch for Thanksgiving Gatherings. It is a vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly easy drink that will have everyone asking for the recipe. It is one of the best Thanksgiving Punch Recipes you will ever try.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what is not to love? This recipe is a total winner for any fall celebration, especially for your big Thanksgiving feast or a more casual get together. It is perfect for Friendsgiving Drinks.
First off, it is incredibly simple to assemble. You are basically just stirring a few things together. There is no complicated muddling or shaking involved, which is a huge relief when you are also juggling a turkey and a dozen side dishes.
It is also designed for a crowd. The recipe makes a large batch, so you can fill up a punch bowl and let guests serve themselves. This frees you up to mingle and enjoy the party instead of playing bartender all night long.
The flavors are pure autumn. We are talking crisp apple cider, rich apple butter, and warm spices like cinnamon. The ginger beer adds a lovely fizz and a gentle spicy kick that balances everything beautifully.
Plus, it looks absolutely stunning. With sliced apples and star anise floating on top, it is like a centerpiece you can drink. That cinnamon sugar rim? It adds a touch of sparkle and makes every sip feel extra special.
Best of all, this thanksgiving punch is naturally non alcoholic, making it a wonderful option for guests of all ages. Everyone can enjoy a festive glass, from the kids to the grandparents.
Ingredients
Getting the ingredients for this recipe is as easy as a quick trip to the grocery store. Everything is simple and should be easy to find, especially during the fall season.
- 8 cups apple cider
- 1 cup white grape juice (or use 1 cup more apple cider)
- 1/2 cup apple butter
- 4 dashes non alcoholic aromatic bitters
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 bottle (750 ml) sparkling white grape juice or sparkling cider
- 2 bottles ginger beer
- 2 apples, sliced
For The 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
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make the most delicious punch of your life? Let us walk through it together. It is so much easier than you think. You will have a festive bowl ready in no time at all.
Step 1: Mix The Punch Base
First things first, grab a large pitcher or the punch bowl you plan to serve from. Pour in the eight cups of apple cider and the one cup of white grape juice. If you do not have grape juice, just use another cup of cider. No problem.
Next, add the half cup of apple butter. This is a key ingredient for that deep, rich apple flavor. Stir everything together really well. You want the apple butter to dissolve and combine with the juices.
Now, add the four dashes of non alcoholic aromatic bitters, if you are using them. They add a wonderful complexity. Finally, drop in your cinnamon sticks and one or two star anise for that lovely spiced aroma.
Step 2: Chill Until Ready
This is probably the easiest step of all. Cover your pitcher or bowl and place it in the refrigerator. You want it to chill for at least an hour, but you can even make this base a day ahead. This is a great time saver for party day.
Chilling the base allows all those wonderful spice flavors to meld together. It makes a huge difference in the final taste, so do not skip this part. The colder the base, the better your final punch will be.
Step 3: Prepare The Cinnamon Sugar Rim
This little detail makes your Friendsgiving Drinks feel so fancy. On a small plate, mix together the coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Give it a good stir to combine everything evenly.
Pour a thin layer of pomegranate or orange juice onto another small plate. Take one of your serving glasses and dip the rim into the juice first. Then, immediately dip the wet rim into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Twist the glass gently to coat it well.
Set the prepared glasses aside until you are ready to serve. This can be done a little bit ahead of time, which is super helpful.
Step 4: Assemble And Serve The Punch
Right before your guests arrive, it is time for the final assembly. Take your punch bowl and add a generous amount of ice. Pour the chilled punch base over the ice. This is the moment when it all comes together.
Now for the bubbly part. Gently pour in the bottle of sparkling white grape juice or sparkling cider, and then the two bottles of ginger beer. This adds the fizz and sparkle that makes the punch so festive.
Give it a gentle stir. Add your fresh apple slices to the bowl for garnish. To serve, add ice to your cinnamon sugar rimmed glasses and ladle the beautiful thanksgiving punch over it. Enjoy the celebration!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover punch, which might not happen, storing it is easy. The key is to separate the components if possible. The punch base without the bubbly ingredients will last longer.
Pour any remaining punch base, without the ginger beer or sparkling cider, into an airtight container or pitcher. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors will continue to meld and deepen.
When you are ready for another glass, simply pour the base over ice and top it off with fresh ginger beer and sparkling cider. This way, you get that fresh fizz every single time you serve it.
Tips
Want to make this recipe even better? Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for making the perfect punch. These little suggestions can make a big difference in your final drink.
To keep your punch from getting watered down, try making an ice ring. You can use a bundt pan to freeze a block of apple cider with some apple slices and cinnamon sticks inside. It looks beautiful and melts slower than individual ice cubes.
Feel free to get creative with your garnishes. Besides apple slices, you could add fresh cranberries or orange slices to the punch bowl for a pop of color. It would look amazing as a Thanksgiving Sangria.
Now, about that bourbon. To make this a boozy Harvest Spiced Bourbon Punch for Thanksgiving Gatherings, simply add about 2 cups of your favorite bourbon to the punch base in step one. You can adjust the amount based on your preference.
If you want to make a single serving, the ratio is easy. Combine about 6 ounces of the punch base with 2 ounces of sparkling cider and 2 ounces of ginger beer in a glass with ice. It is a perfect weeknight treat.
Do not be afraid to adjust the sweetness. If you find your apple cider is very sweet, you might want to use a dry or spicy ginger beer to balance it out. Taste as you go and make it perfect for you.
Conclusion
There you have it, one of the easiest and most impressive Thanksgiving Punch Recipes you will find. This drink is more than just a recipe. It is a way to add a little sparkle and a lot of warmth to your holiday celebrations.
Making this Harvest Spiced Bourbon Punch for Thanksgiving Gatherings is a simple gesture that shows your guests you care. It is festive, delicious, and brings everyone together around the punch bowl. I hope it becomes a new tradition in your home for years to come.
FAQ
Can I Serve This Punch Warm?
Absolutely! To serve it warm, combine all the base ingredients in a slow cooker or a large pot on the stove. Heat it gently on low until it is warmed through. Just do not let it boil. Ladle it into mugs and serve. Leave out the sparkling ingredients and ice.
What Is The Best Bourbon To Add?
If you are making the alcoholic version, a good quality bourbon that you enjoy drinking on its own is best. Something with notes of vanilla, caramel, or oak will complement the apple and spice flavors beautifully. You do not need a top shelf bottle, just a solid choice.
Can I Make This Without Apple Butter?
You can, but the apple butter adds a wonderful richness and depth of flavor that is hard to replicate. If you absolutely cannot find it, you could try simmering your apple cider with a few extra cinnamon sticks and a splash of maple syrup to concentrate the flavor a bit.
Where Can I Find Non Alcoholic Bitters?
Non alcoholic bitters are becoming much more common. You can often find them in larger grocery stores, specialty food shops, or online. They add a great layer of complexity to drinks, so they are a fun ingredient to have on hand for all your beverage creations.
Harvest Spiced Bourbon Punch
A vibrant, flavorful, and easy-to-make punch perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings. This festive drink combines crisp apple cider, rich apple butter, and warm spices, making it a wonderful centerpiece for any holiday celebration.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, stir together the apple cider, white grape juice, and apple butter until the apple butter is fully dissolved. Add the aromatic bitters and cinnamon sticks.
- Cover and chill the punch base in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to one day in advance. This allows the spice flavors to meld.
- To prepare the glasses, mix the coarse sugar, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon on a small plate. Pour a thin layer of pomegranate or orange juice on another plate. Dip the rim of each glass in the juice, then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Just before serving, add ice to the punch bowl. Pour the chilled punch base over the ice. Gently top with the sparkling cider and ginger beer. Garnish with fresh apple slices and serve immediately in the prepared glasses.
Notes
For the alcoholic “Bourbon Punch” version, add 2 cups of your favorite bourbon to the punch base during step one.
To prevent the punch from getting watered down, make a large ice ring using apple cider in a bundt pan instead of using small ice cubes.
Feel free to add other garnishes like fresh cranberries or orange slices for extra seasonal color and flavor.
Nutrition
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