Thanksgiving Punch
This Thanksgiving Punch is the best Turkey Day drink recipe to serve your guests! It’s made with apple cider, whiskey, fruit juice, brandy, and soda and packs the delicious flavors of fall and winter in one delicious holiday drink recipe!
If you’re looking for something non-alcoholic to serve the kids, simply keep the whiskey on the side or make my Crockpot Apple Cider and omit the rum! My Slow Cooker Wassail and Cranberry Apple Cider Punch recipes are also great recipes to try!
What Do People Drink At Thanksgiving Dinner?
Thanksgiving Punch is the drink you never knew you needed when it comes to being around family! Just kidding (sort of). But let’s face it, a cup or two of the good stuff helps the conversation and the good times roll!
I’m guessing most people sit down at the table with a glass of their favorite wine, soda, or water. But I think that a signature drink or punch can really make the holidays extra special. Something unique and tasty that everyone gets to look forward to once a year, and this punch is just that for my family!
When it comes to Thanksgiving Recipes, it’s easy to overlook beverages. But there’s no reason Thanksgiving drinks can’t be a “thing”! And a big bowl of homemade punch is the perfect way to help fill out the feast table. And tastes delicious alongside a slice of Pumpkin Pie!
Initially published in 2018 and updated with new photos in 2024, this Thanksgiving Punch Recipe has become a favorite holiday tradition of many and has over 100 5-star reviews!
This punch has now become a Thanksgiving tradition for my family. I first made it last year (2019) and it was a HUGE hit. I will now make it every year. Thank you!
Rebecca’s Recipe Review
Taste: Fruity with a kick of spice and alcohol.
Texture: Smooth
Ease: 1/10 – It doesn’t get any easier than pouring into a bowl.
Pros: Easy to make and delicious!
Cons: Can have a strong cinnamon flavor for some!
Would I Make This Again? Yes, it’s one of our annual Thanksgiving traditions!
Needless to say, this Thanksgiving Punch recipe is a tasty signature drink to prepare if you’re hosting the big meal. It’s full of winter and fall flavors, plus some cinnamon spice that really packs a punch … get it?!
Thanksgiving Punch Ingredients
Fireball Whiskey and Apricot brandy spike this punch, then apple cider, orange juice, cranberry juice, and lemon-lime soda make it extra fruity and a little sparkly!
For a non-alcoholic Thanksgiving Punch, try this Autumn Punch recipe!
What If I Can’t Find Apricot Brandy?
You can use any brandy you want. A plain brandy would be fine, but I love what the fruit-flavored ones bring to the recipe – try apple, ginger, or blackberry.
How To Make Thanksgiving Punch
Step 1: For the best flavor, combine all of the ingredients except for the soda and ice in a large pitcher or punch bowl.
Step 2: Refrigerate for several hours (or more).
Step 3: Add the soda and ice just before serving so it’s fresh! Or serve over ice so the punch doesn’t get diluted while sitting in the bowl!
Don’t forget about the presentation! Go all out with a pretty punch bowl (this is the one I have) or dispenser, festive cups, and holiday-themed straws.
If you really want to up the “WOW” factor, a few floating citrus and apple slices look beautiful in a clear server.
And have some fun with garnishes: drink picks, candied orange slices (I get mine at Trader Joe’s), cinnamon sticks, and cranberries always make drinks look extra fancy!
Can I Make This A Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Punch?
Obviously, this Thanksgiving Alcoholic Punch isn’t for the kiddos, but they don’t have to be left out. Just make another batch without the hard stuff, and it’ll be (almost) as good! Just add extra soda or ginger ale for them. You could also make a batch of Kinder Punch!
Can I Make This Punch Recipe In Advance?
You can combine all of the ingredients except for the soda and ice in a large punch bowl or pitcher and refrigerate overnight. This will let the flavors really build, then add soda and ice just before serving.
If Sparkling Thanksgiving Punch is a hit on Thanksgiving, make it for Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year, too! The cozy notes of apple, cranberry, and cinnamon make it perfect to enjoy all season long.
In fact, maybe this recipe should be called “Holiday Punch,” instead! But you should definitely try my Christmas Punch, Christmas Sangria, and New Year’s Eve Punch too!
Beer and wine are good for gatherings, but when it comes to celebrations, something special is in order! Thanksgiving Punch is the perfect cocktail to enjoy with friends and family this holiday season, and it’s always a hit.
More Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes:
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Did You Make This Recipe?
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Thanksgiving Punch
Ingredients
Punch
- 3 cups apple cider
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup Fireball Whiskey
- ½ cup apricot brandy
- 3 cups lemon-lime soda
- ice
Garnishes
- apple slices
- orange slices
- cranberries
- cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Combine 3 cups apple cider, 3 cups cranberry juice, 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup Fireball Whiskey, and ½ cup apricot brandy in a large punch bowl or pitcher.
- Top off with 3 cups lemon-lime soda and ice.
- Garnish with apple slices, orange slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks.
- To make ahead, combine all ingredients except for the soda and ice in a large punch bowl or pitcher and refrigerate overnight. Add soda, ice, and garnishes just before serving.
Video
Notes
- If you do not have apricot brandy, another fruit brandy like apple or blackberry could be used.
- Make sure to use 100% cranberry juice and not cocktail juice. I like to use Ocean Spray Pure; this gives it a reddish tone, and others may leave it to look more orange, which is perfectly fine, too!
- Club soda can be used in place of lemon-lime soda for a less sweet punch.
- This recipe post was updated with new photos in 2024, the recipe did not change.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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I make this at Thanksgiving every year! I put the alcohol in a separate bottle for people to add. I love having a festive non-alcoholic drink to offer the non-drinkers too.
Yes, we love leaving the alcohol on the side of punches so people can add themselves! You might also enjoy my Autumn Punch, which is nonalcoholic!
Also good on the rocks without the lemon-lime soda
Thank you for the recipe
A HUGE HIT!!! Made this for Thanksgiving 2023 and LOVED it! I made an ice ring in a bundt pan and froze orange slices and cranberries in it – looked so pretty with the color of this awesome punch. I suggest a little extra booze (either more of the ingredients or some unflavored vodka), but very tasty all on its own!
This has become a tradition at my big Thanksgiving dinner!
I’m have a gallon dispenser. Would I need to double the recipe to fill it? A “large” container or punch bowl is vague. Thank you!
The ingredients add up to 11 1/2 cups of liquid plus whatever you want to add for ice or fruit for presentation. So this recipe should fit fine in a gallon dispenser (16 cups) with some room.
Very sweet, a little too sweet for my taste and for the others at Thanksgiving dinner unfortunately. If you are a fan of sweeter drinks, this would be great! It does have a little spice from the cinnamon whiskey and it looks beautiful with fruit! Just too sweet.
Is there a way to make this non alcoholic (I am missing that note somewhere?) – seems like a lot of flavors come from the booze but need a family friendly version. Thanks!
Hi Rachel, we actually just posted our family-friendly Thanksgiving punch this week, here’s that recipe: https://www.sugarandsoul.co/autumn-punch/ – Alcohol could be served on the side for those that want it.
For a crowd, I did a bottle of whiskey, a bottle of peach brandy (couldn’t find apricot), a jug of cranberry juice, a jug of apple cider, and a splash of ginger ale. Garnished with apples and oranges. Everyone loved it!
We loved this! Everyone at our party asked for the recipe!
I’m so glad everyone thought it was a hit!
This is a show-stopper for sure! The autumn flavors come together really nicely and it looks gorgeous.
So glad you loved it!
I made the non-alcoholic version and it was delicious! I added extra ginger ale to sweeten it up.
Can you make this warm?
Yes, I think this would be delicious warm!
Would you need to omit the soda, or tweak the recipe? We had it cold and it was delicious but want to serve it warm for outdoor event. Thanks!
You can leave it in to get the ratio right, but the hotter it gets the more carbonation it loses. You could also try my wassail recipe which is meant to be served hot and you can add whiskey or rum to it.
This punch has now become a Thanksgiving tradition for my family. I first made it last year and it was a HUGE hit. I will now make it every year. Thank you!
Oh, this sounds SO good. Will have to make it next time my daughter is home.
This punch looks fantastic! Definitely going to try it!
This punch was a huge hit at our Thanksgiving celebration. So easy to make and I got so many compliments.
So glad everyone loved it!
Made this last weekend for friendsgiving and it was a huge hit. Love the spicy notes!