Ingredients
- 4 cups apple cider, chilled
- 2 cups cranberry juice, chilled
- 1 liter ginger ale, chilled
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
- Ice ring or plenty of ice
Instructions
- Make the ice ring (ahead). The night before, freeze water with cranberries and orange slices in a bundt pan. It keeps the punch cold without diluting it fast.
- Combine the base. In a large punch bowl, stir the apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, and maple syrup (if using) until blended.
- Add fruit and spice. Add the orange and apple slices, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon sticks. Refrigerate at least 2 hours so the flavors meld.
- Add the fizz. Just before guests arrive, add the ice ring to the bowl and pour in the chilled ginger ale. Stir once gently — vigorous stirring kills the bubbles.
- Serve. Ladle into glasses over plenty of ice, making sure each glass gets some fruit and cranberries. Serve immediately while fizzy and cold.
🥤 Punch-bowl wisdom
Always add the ginger ale last — fizz fades fast in a bowl. An ice ring (not cubes) melts slowly and looks gorgeous. For the adults, set out a bottle of bourbon and let everyone spike their own glass. Leftovers keep 2 days refrigerated (the fizz won't, so enjoy it fresh).
Common questions
How many servings does this make?
About 12 generous 8-ounce servings. Double it for a crowd over 20 — it disappears fast.
Can I make it less sweet?
Use dry or diet ginger ale, unsweetened cranberry juice, and skip the maple syrup. The fruit keeps it festive without the sugar bomb.
How do I make an alcoholic version?
Add 2 cups of bourbon or spiced rum to the base, or set the bottle beside the bowl so guests can spike their own — safer for mixed-age parties.
Can I make it ahead?
Mix everything except the ginger ale and ice up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add the fizz and ice right before serving.
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