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Festive Thanksgiving punch with cranberries and orange slices in a clear glass pitcher, perfect for an easy holiday recipe.

Easy Thanksgiving Punch

This festive Thanksgiving punch is a vibrant and flavorful drink perfect for any holiday gathering. It's incredibly easy to make, customizable to your taste, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Prepare the base ahead of time and add the bubbly right before serving for a stress-free celebration.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups apple cider
  • 4 cups cranberry juice 100% juice
  • 2 cups orange juice
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 liters ginger ale or sparkling cider, chilled
  • 2-3 cinnamon sticks optional
  • A few whole cloves optional
  • Orange slices, for garnish
  • Apple slices, for garnish
  • Fresh cranberries, for garnish
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Equipment

  • Large punch bowl or pitcher
  • Ladle
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Elegant glasses or festive mugs

Method
 

  1. In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, and lemon juice.
  2. If using spices, add cinnamon sticks and cloves to the juice mixture.
  3. Chill the juice mixture for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.
  4. Just before serving, add the chilled ginger ale or sparkling cider.
  5. Add orange slices, apple slices, fresh cranberries, and rosemary sprigs for garnish.
  6. Serve the punch over ice in elegant glasses or festive mugs and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, chill the juice mixture thoroughly before adding the bubbly. To prevent the punch from becoming watered down, use frozen fruit such as cranberries or grapes instead of ice cubes. Adjust the sweetness by adding simple syrup or maple syrup to taste. If the punch is too tart, add a splash of lime juice. For an adult version, add 1 cup of bourbon, rum, or vodka. Garnish generously to enhance the visual appeal.