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Thanksgiving Punch

Thanksgiving punch is a festive ruby cranberry drink made by combining cranberry juice cocktail, apple cider, orange juice, and fresh lime juice, then chilling for bold fruit flavor. Right before serving, ginger ale (or sparkling water) is added for gentle bubbles and a bright, citrusy finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

cranberry juice cocktail
  • 4 cup cranberry juice cocktail chilled
apple cider
  • 2 cup apple cider chilled
orange juice
  • 1 cup orange juice at room temperature or chilled
fresh lime juice
  • 0.25 cup fresh lime juice
ginger ale
  • 1 l ginger ale or sparkling water chilled; add just before serving
orange
  • 1 orange thinly sliced
fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
fresh rosemary
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
ice
  • 1 ice for serving

Equipment

  • 1 punch bowl

Method
 

Make the punch base
  1. Combine cranberry juice cocktail, apple cider, orange juice, and lime juice in a punch bowl. Stir until the juices are evenly mixed and the color turns a deep ruby-red.
  2. Chill the punch bowl in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Target 2-4 hours for the flavors to meld; keep it covered so it stays fresh.
  3. Add orange slices, fresh cranberries, and rosemary sprigs to the chilled punch bowl. Arrange them so they float visibly on top for a layered look.
Finish and serve
  1. Pour in ginger ale (or sparkling water) just before serving. Add slowly so the bubbles stay lively and distribute through the bowl.
  2. Add ice to the punch bowl and ladle into glasses. Serve immediately so each glass is sparkling and cold.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the ginger ale/sparkling water chilled and add it right at serving—this preserves the bubbles. Store the cranberry-apple cider base (before adding ginger ale) covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days; add garnishes and soda at the last minute. Freezing is not recommended because citrus and cranberries can break down in texture. Dietary swap: for a lower-sugar version, choose unsweetened cranberry juice cocktail (or use cranberry juice) and keep the rest the same.