Thanksgiving Punch

Thanksgiving Punch is the perfect festive drink to brighten up any holiday gathering. It’s a refreshing blend of crisp apple cider, sparkling soda, and a splash of citrus that wakes…

By Nora • October 11, 2025 • Reading time: 6 min

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Thanksgiving Punch is the perfect festive drink to brighten up any holiday gathering. It’s a refreshing blend of crisp apple cider, sparkling soda, and a splash of citrus that wakes up your taste buds. A few cinnamon sticks and fresh cranberries add that extra cozy touch, making every sip feel like a warm hug in a glass.

I love making this punch because it’s so easy and everyone always asks for the recipe. It’s not too sweet or too plain — just the right balance that keeps guests coming back for more. Plus, you can easily make it ahead of time and keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve, which frees you up for all the Thanksgiving hustle and bustle.

My favorite way to serve Thanksgiving Punch is in a big clear bowl surrounded by colorful fall leaves and pumpkins. It looks beautiful on the table and adds a festive vibe that matches all the delicious food around it. Whether you’re hosting a big party or just having a quiet family meal, this punch is a fun, simple way to toast the season together.

Key Ingredients & Substitutions for Thanksgiving Punch

Cranberry Juice: This gives the punch a lovely tartness and that beautiful red color. If you want it less sweet, try 100% unsweetened cranberry juice or mix with apple juice.

Apple Cider: The rich, apple flavor is classic for fall drinks. If you don’t have cider, fresh apple juice or even pear juice can work well as a substitute.

Orange Juice: Adds brightness and sweetness. Freshly squeezed is best for flavor but bottled juice works fine too. Lemon juice can be added to boost citrus notes if needed.

Sparking Water or Club Soda: This is optional but adds nice fizz. You can swap it for ginger ale or lemon-lime soda if you prefer something sweeter and bubbly.

Fresh Fruits (Apples, Orange, Cranberries): These make the punch look festive and add fresh flavors. Feel free to swap apple for sliced pears or add pomegranate seeds for more color.

Rosemary Sprigs: This herb adds a subtle aromatic touch that pairs well with the fruit. Thyme or mint are good alternatives if rosemary isn’t on hand.

How Can You Make Sure Your Punch Stays Cold and Flavorful?

Keeping punch chilled without watering it down can be tricky. A few simple tricks help keep the flavors bright and the punch cold:

• Use an Ice Ring: Freeze fruit slices or herbs in a large bowl of water overnight, then add the frozen block to your punch bowl. It melts slower than regular ice cubes, so your punch stays less diluted.
• Chill Ingredients: Before mixing, keep all juices and fruit in the fridge so the punch starts cold.
• Add Ice Last: Add ice cubes right before serving, so the punch isn’t sitting diluted for long periods.
• Fruit for Flavor: Using fresh fruit slices (apples, oranges, and cranberries) gives extra taste as they sit in the punch and look festive too.

These steps help your punch stay fresh and tasty as guests enjoy it during your holiday gathering.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large punch bowl – perfect for mixing and serving the drink to a crowd.
• Wooden spoon or ladle – helps stir the punch and serve it easily.
• Sharp knife – for slicing the apples and oranges thinly and evenly.
• Cutting board – keeps your countertop clean and makes slicing safer.
• Measuring cups – for accurate juice amounts to get the perfect flavor balance.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

• Add ginger ale instead of sparkling water for a sweeter, spiced fizz that pairs well with fall flavors.
• Swap apple cider for pear juice to give the punch a milder, softer taste that’s still fruity.
• Include cinnamon sticks to infuse a warm, cozy spice throughout the punch.
• Add a splash of bourbon or spiced rum for an adult version that’s perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations.

Thanksgiving Punch

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup sparkling water or club soda (optional for fizz)
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• Ice cubes or an ice ring (optional)

How Much Time Will You Need?

This Thanksgiving Punch recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare. You can prepare it shortly before serving, though chilling the juices and adding ice will keep it refreshing longer.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Mix the Juices:

In a large punch bowl, pour in the cranberry juice, apple cider, and orange juice. Stir them well together until nicely combined.

2. Add the Fresh Fruits:

Drop in fresh cranberries, sliced apple, and orange slices. These add lovely flavor and a festive look to the punch.

3. Add Fizz and Garnish:

If you like a little sparkle, pour in the sparkling water or club soda just before serving. Float the rosemary sprigs in the punch to add a gentle herbal aroma.

4. Keep It Cool:

Add ice cubes or a decorative ice ring to chill the punch. Serve in glasses, making sure each glass has some fruit and cranberries for a pretty, seasonal touch.

Equipment You’ll Need:

• Large punch bowl
• Wooden spoon or ladle for stirring and serving
• Knife and cutting board for slicing fruits
• Measuring cups

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins:

• Use ginger ale instead of sparkling water for a sweeter fizz with a spicy note.
• Swap apple cider with pear juice for a milder fruit flavor.
• Add cinnamon sticks to warm up the flavor profile.
• Include a splash of bourbon or spiced rum for an adult twist.

Can I Use Frozen Cranberries for This Punch?

Yes, frozen cranberries work well! Just thaw them slightly before adding to avoid diluting the punch too much with extra water.

Can I Make Thanksgiving Punch Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! Mix the juices and refrigerate the punch base up to 24 hours ahead. Add sparkling water, ice, and fresh fruit right before serving.

How Do I Keep the Punch From Getting Watery?

Use an ice ring instead of regular ice cubes to keep the punch cold longer without watering it down quickly. Chill all ingredients beforehand too.

What Are Some Good Non-Alcoholic Variations?

Stick with sparkling water or ginger ale for fizz to keep it kid-friendly and festive. You can also add fresh herbs like mint or thyme for extra flavor without alcohol.