Thanksgiving Rum Punch
Thanksgiving Rum Punch is a festive fall cocktail made with spiced rum, apple cider, cranberry juice, ginger beer, and warm spices. Sweet, tart, and refreshing, it's perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving parties, and cozy autumn gatherings.
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Bar spoon
- Large punch bowl
- Ladle
- Rocks glasses
Ingredients
- 64 ounces apple cider divided
- 4 cups cranberry juice chilled
- 3 cups 24 ounces spiced rum
- 2 bottles ginger beer 12 ounces each, chilled
- 2.5 ounces honey
- 12 whole cloves
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- A sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg
- Sliced green apples oranges, or lemons
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
Step 1: Warm the spiced cider
- Pour about 2 cups of the apple cider into a small saucepan. Add honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a light sprinkle of nutmeg. Warm gently for 10–15 minutes without boiling.
Step 2: Cool the mixture
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the spices steep briefly. Strain out the cloves and cinnamon sticks, then cool the infused cider completely. Refrigerate until cold.
Step 3: Mix the punch
- Pour the cooled spiced cider into a large punch bowl. Add the remaining apple cider, chilled cranberry juice, and spiced rum. Stir gently with a bar spoon.
Step 4: Add ginger beer
- Pour in the chilled ginger beer just before serving. Stir slowly to preserve as much fizz as possible.
Step 5: Garnish and serve
- Add sliced green apples, oranges, or lemons. Finish with fresh rosemary sprigs and a little freshly grated nutmeg, if desired. Serve in rocks glasses over ice.
Notes
- Warm only part of the apple cider with the spices; add the remaining cider after cooling.
- Strain out the whole cloves before serving.
- Chill the cranberry juice, remaining cider, rum, and ginger beer for the best result.
- Add ginger beer just before serving to preserve the bubbles.
- Adjust the honey based on how sweet your juice and cider are.
- Garnish with green apples, oranges, lemons, and rosemary for a festive autumn presentation.
- For a lighter drink, serve over ice in individual glasses.
- For an alcohol-free version, omit the rum and use nonalcoholic ginger beer.