Thanksgiving Punch Recipe (Cocktail or Mocktail) (2024)

Wondering what to drink with thanksgiving dinner? Try this easy Thanksgiving Punch! With a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious fall punchcocktailor mocktail that will be a crowd-pleaser forkidsand adults at your Thanksgiving dinner feast! Both alcoholic and non-alcoholicinstructionsare included.

What is the most popular drink on thanksgiving? If you’re wondering what drinks to serve at Thanksgiving, we’ve got you covered! As a trained chef, it’s no surprise that Thanksgiving is one of myfavorites for the holiday season!

A lot of times we focus on the food but we also need a nice easy fall punch recipe to sip from while everyone lingers. This Thanksgiving punch is perfect for a crowd andkid-friendly with a thanksgiving mocktail recipe option.

We all love the warmingflavorsof cider and cinnamon and adding fruits like apples and oranges and frozencranberries round out the natural flavors and add a lovely fall flavor.

This punch also has pumpkin pie spice mixed in for that extra bit of flavor and to make it feel like fall in a cup!

🍎Thanksgiving Punch Ingredients

• Apple Cider:This makes up the bulk of the punch and screams fall and Autumn. Purchase your favoriteapple ciderwhile apples are in season!
• Pumpkin PieSpice:Whisking thisflavor (nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, allspice)intoapple ciderbrings this punch to a new level by adding the perfect amount ofspiceand warmingflavors. Check out my favoritePumpkin PieSpice.
• Sliced Green and Red Apples:Slicethese up to add some fresh appleflavorand to helpgarnishthe punch.
• Sliced Orange:Oranges add a fresh citrusflavorthat compliments this fall punch recipe perfectly.
• Ginger Ale:If you would like to make a non-alcoholic Thanksgiving drink, add in your favoriteginger aleorginger beer. This makes it the bestkid-friendly drink for Thanksgiving.
• Fresh or FrozenCranberries:Cranberriesadd a pop of color to this punch. You can use fresh or frozencranberries.
• Champagne:If you’d like to make this an easy alcoholic Thanksgivingcocktailfor adults, add in some champagne. You could also add a shot of your favorite vodka or whisky for a stronger punch.

🍹How To Make Thanksgiving Punch

1️⃣Dissolve the pumpkin pie spice: In a2 gallon drink jar, or holiday punch bowl, add 2 cups apple cider. Whisk in pumpkin pie spice until any clumps are gone, then add the rest of the apple cider.

2️⃣For a cocktail: Pour in the champagne.

3️⃣For a mocktail: Pour in ginger ale.

4️⃣Add fruit: Slice up the fruit into thin pieces. Add apples, orange slices, and cranberries (fresh or frozen) to the jar and stir gently.

5️⃣Chill and serve: Refrigerate for 2-3 hours in a large pitcher before serving thanksgiving alcoholic punch cold in garnished glasses.

👩🏻‍🍳Chef Val’s Tips

• No added sugar: Be sure to buyapple ciderthat doesn’t have any added sugar in it. The juice itself is sweet enough!
• Develop flavors: This punch is best after sitting in the fridge for about 2-3 hours before serving. This gives enough time for all theflavorsto marry together.
• Dissolve dry spices: Make sure you whisk in the pumpkin piespicewith a small amount of cider first. This will make sure thespiceseparates so that nobody gets a big clump of pumpkin piespicein their drink.
• Serve as a cocktail or mocktail at the same time: Kidslove the non-alcoholic versions just as much as the adults. You can keep this a mocktail for thekidsor non-drinking adults and have a bottle of champagne sitting on ice so that yourguestscan make theircocktailsin whatever strength they’d like.
• Make a large batch: If you’re feeding a crowd for the holiday, feel free to double or triple the recipe. Simplymultiplythe ingredients by the number ofgallonsyou want to make. Serve it in a punch bowl for a festive look!

🍊Flavor Variations

• Feel free to add other fruits to the mix likepears, plums, sliced lemon, fresh cranberries, blood orange or grapes.
• Add a cup of cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, pineapple juice, or orange juice to add flavor and additional sweetness.
• You could also add acinnamon stickto the punch for extra flavor and to use as a stirrer.
• Give it a light bold herb flavor by infusing with some rosemary sprigs or fresh thyme sprigs.
• If you want to make this more like spiced wine, add in some red wine instead of champagne.
• If you want an extra decadent touch, rim the glasses with raw or granulated sugar before adding the punch.
• The gingerflavoris essential to this recipe. You can use ginger ale, or ginger beer to add flavor.
• My husband’s pro tip:add a shot or 2 of Jack DanielsHoneyWhisky to your glass for an extra boozy drink. Or add whisky, rum, vodka, or your favorite alcohol to taste.

🎅🏻Don’t forget to try out our Christmas Punch Recipe!

🧊How To Store & Make Ahead

Making ahead: This thanksgiving cocktail punch can be made 8 hours in advance if the champagne (or ginger ale is poured in). You can also make the mixture without the fizzy component for up to 48 hours. When ready to serve, pour in the champagne or ginger ale.

Storing: Any leftover punch can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in a large pitcher or jar with a lid. Freezing is not recommended.

🦃More Thanksgiving Drink Ideas

What’s the most popular Thanksgiving drink? We can’t choose, so we’ve made other drinks that are just as delicious as this punch! No more wondering what to drink on Thanksgiving. And don’t worry, they can all be made non alcoholic thanksgiving drinks!

• Thanksgiving Margarita
• Thanksgiving Moscow Mule
• Thanksgiving Mimosa
• Thanksgiving Mojito

❔FAQ

Can Thanksgiving punch be made hot?

This drink can be served hot, however, I would not use champagne. Instead, pour in your favorite alcohol or add a shot of whisky, vodka, or rum to taste. If you want it non-alcoholic, heat up the apple cider on the stove or crockpot and pour in some ginger ale when ready to serve.

Is there a Thanksgiving Drink?

Yes! This Thanksgiving punch recipe is perfect for the holiday. It’s non-alcoholic, so everyone can enjoy it. But, if you want to make it boozy, feel free to add your favorite alcohol like whisky, vodka, rum, or even red wine.

Would sparkling cider be a good replacement for champagne?

Yes! If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option, the sparkling cider is a great replacement for champagne. It may be a bit sweeter to taste.

When you add whiskey or vodka, do you also add champagne?

You can add champagne, ginger ale, or sparkling cider along with the alcohol if you like the fizz and flavor.

How much champagne goes in the punch?

A 750ml bottle will fill 12 glasses. If you want to make a larger batch, use a magnum (1.5L) bottle or double the recipe.