This easy family-friendly sparkling Thanksgiving punch is festive, fizzy, and fabulous. Fresh apple cider, warming fall spices, citrus, and bubbly ginger beer come together to create an easy fall punch that effortlessly serves a crowd. Garnish each drink with a little cinnamon sugar rim and a sprig of rosemary or a cinnamon stick for a subtle touch of holiday magic.
It's officially Thanksgiving week, friends. I hope you are thawing those turkeys and have your ingredients in the fridge, it's tiiiiiiiiiiiiiime.
But let's talk about our last Thanksgiving drink of this season before we head into our first Christmas party: a very easy holiday punch recipe that kids and adults alike will love.
It's fantastic if you're panicking because it's Turkey Day and you forgot the beverage portion of your menu (I can't be the only one this has happened to!) and looking for a straightforward punch to throw together with no stress or fuss that everyone can enjoy.
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Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Punch: the Perfect Holiday Party Punch!
At its core, this is a sparkling apple cider punch, infused with spices and ginger. Simple, lovely, easily served hot or cold.
Everyone loves a great punch, and this one is the perfect recipe to serve along your thanksgiving appetizers, greet your guests with a mug of warm cider-y punch, or chill in a large punch bowl or beverage dispenser to have self-serve during Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients for this Holiday Drink
- Unfiltered Apple Cider - not apple juice! We want unsweetened and un-spiced apple cider.
- Orange Juice + Pineapple Juice
- Lemon Juice
- Fresh Ginger
- Maple Syrup
- Whole Spices - we're basically steeping the apple cider in homemade pumpkin pie spice, giving it that warm, autumnal feeling.
- Ginger Beer - or ginger ale, if ginger beer is too spicy. But the ginger ale will make the punch more sweet.
- Ground Cinnamon + Granulated Sugar - this is an optional garnish that works really well for small parties.
- Rosemary Sprigs or Cinnamon Sticks - a super easy garnish that requires no effort at all!
How to Make Thanksgiving Punch
- Step 1 | In a large pot, combine the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, ginger, and allspice berries. Heat over medium until just simmering. Reduce to low and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Step 2 | Remove the pot from heat and stir in the maple syrup while the liquid is still warm. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired. Strain out the spices and let the cider cool to room temperature.
- Step 3 | In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the spiced cider, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Stir well.
- Step 4 | When ready to serve, gently stir in the ginger beer or ginger ale.
- Step 5 | Serve over ice in festive glasses, add a sprig of fresh rosemary, and float an orange or apple slice on top for that holiday sparkle.
Variations and Pro Tips
- Make Ahead Instructions - Make the mocktail ahead of time, but don't add the ginger beer until it's time to serve.
- Make it Fast - Use pre-spiced apple cider instead of infusing your own, so this punch takes 5 minutes to make.
- Non Alcoholic Sangria Garnish - use thin orange slices, cinnamon sticks, pear slices, apple slices and fresh cranberries as festive garnishes!
- Make it a Thanksgiving Cocktail - Adding a fruity, sparkling wine, some warming bourbon, or a brand with flavors of apple or pear, or cinnamon schnapps to the punch would make a fantastic adults-only drink.
- Swap ingredients - make it more fall by adding pear nectar, making spiced pumpkin cider, pour in pomegranate or cranberry juice instead of pineapple. Really make it yours.
Equipment I used
Pumpkin Glasses
I really love these, I use them all the time for the fall. From bonfires in September, to Halloween, to Thanksgiving!
Recipe FAQs
No, ginger beer is alcohol free! It's a mixer that's often used in cocktails and mocktails.
Yes you can! It works multiplied and divided!
Yes, make the mulled cider up to 3 days ahead and add the juices, keep in a pitcher in the fridge. When ready to serve, add the ginger beer!
More Festive Drink Recipes
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Non Alcoholic Thanksgiving Punch
Ingredients
For the Rim
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Punch
- 4 cups apple cider
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
- ¼ teaspoon whole allspice berries, optional
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup, adjust to taste
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 2 cups ginger beer or ginger ale
For the Garnish
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Orange slices, apple slices, or cinnamon sticks
Instructions
Make the Cinnamon Rim
- Combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small dish. Wet the rims of your glasses with a slice of lemon, then dip them into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat. Set the glasses aside.¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Mull the Cider and Serve
- Add the apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, ginger, and allspice berries (if using) to a large pot. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it just begins to simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.4 cups apple cider, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, 2 star anise pods, 1 inch piece fresh ginger, ¼ teaspoon whole allspice berries
- Once the spices are infused, remove the pot from heat and stir in half of the maple syrup while the mulled cider is still warm. Taste and adjust the sweetness as needed. Strain out the spices and let the cider cool to room temperature.¼ cup pure maple syrup
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl with ice, combine the cooled spiced cider with the orange juice and pineapple juice. Stir well to blend.2 cups pineapple juice, 2 cups orange juice
- Just before serving, gently stir in the ginger beer ginger ale to add a refreshing fizz.2 cups ginger beer or ginger ale
- To serve, pour the punch into the prepared glasses. Garnish each glass with a fresh rosemary sprig and a cinnamon stick, or slice of orange or apple for a festive touch. Enjoy!Fresh rosemary sprigs, Orange slices, apple slices, or cinnamon sticks
Recipe Notes
Variations and Pro Tips
- Make Ahead Instructions - Make the mocktail ahead of time, but don't add the ginger beer until it's time to serve.
- Make it Fast - Use pre-spiced apple cider instead of infusing your own, so this punch takes 5 minutes to make.
- Non Alcoholic Sangria Garnish - use thin orange slices, cinnamon sticks, pear slices, apple slices and fresh cranberries as festive garnishes!
- Make it a Thanksgiving Cocktail - Adding a fruity, sparkling wine, some warming bourbon, or a brand with flavors of apple or pear, or cinnamon schnapps to the punch would make a fantastic adults-only drink.
- Swap ingredients - make it more fall by adding pear nectar, making spiced pumpkin cider, pour in pomegranate or cranberry juice instead of pineapple. Really make it yours.
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