It’s time! The holiday cocktails and mocktails are coming. My favorite season of all is here! Last week, I shared the most popular Thanksgiving cocktails (and mocktails) we’ve posted over the years. If you missed it, take a look, there are so many great cocktails and mocktails from holiday’s past. Something I noticed while reviewing all those previous drinks was a lack of punch recipes. Once I realized that, I knew our first Thanksgiving cocktail of the season needed to be a festive punch! Everyone can love a good punch. Plus, having your cocktails mixed and waiting for holiday guests is the secret to entertaining with no stress.
Here are the Steps
Cranberry syrup ingredients
maple syrup brown sugar fresh cranberries cinnamon sticks oranges
Punch Ingredients
Bourbon orange liquor cranberry juice, or use pomegranate juice apple cider orange bitters champagne star anise and extra cinnamon sticks – optional but totally festive!
Mocktail Ingredients
cranberry juice, or use pomegranate juice apple cider orange juice orange bitters sparkling grape juice, or use ginger beer (my favorite) star anise and extra cinnamon sticks – optional but totally festive!
Step 1: make the cranberry syrup The key to this punch is the cranberry syrup. It’s what gives this drink color, flavor, and sweetness. Instead of your basic simple syrup with sugar and water (which I always find to be so bland), I did mine with fresh cranberries, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, and orange zest. If cranberries aren’t for you, simply omit them completely from the syrup. Additionally, swap the cranberry juice with pomegranate juice.
Step 2: make the punch Mix the cranberry syrup, bourbon, orange liquor, bitters, and cinnamon sticks in a large punch bowl or drink dispenser. Chill the mix until you plan to serve. This can be made 3 to 4 days ahead. I like to use spiced apple cider with no sugar added for additional flavor, but it’s a little harder to find. Either one will work. Just before serving, pour over a bottle of champagne, then serve!
A Festive Approach
To go the extra mile, make sugared cranberries for garnishing each drink. Just soak cranberries in maple syrup, toss them in sugar, and leave them to dry. In addition to the cranberries, I added fresh orange zest and a cinnamon stick too! So easy, festive, and pretty!
The Mocktail For friends who don’t drink, you’ve still got them covered – simply make the non-alcoholic variation! I hope you all enjoy this very fun drink and that it brings plenty of cheer to your holiday season!
Looking for other easy punch recipes?? Here are my favorites: Thanksgiving Cider Punch Pumpkin Head Punch Sparkling Christmas Party Punch Holiday Cheermeister Bourbon Punch Spiced Cranberry Punch Thanksgiving Sangria Spiced Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned Pitcher Lastly, if you make this Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler Punch, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
