Thanksgiving Punch for a Crowd – This easy, fall beverage favorite will be a delicious option this Thanksgiving when entertaining your family and friends! Enjoy all the best flavors of fall with this amazing Thanksgiving punch!
This tasty fall punch is one of the best Thanksgiving recipes! It’s perfect for serving a large crowd and is always a hit. We also like to serve slow cooker Holiday wassail, Holiday sangria mocktail and simple Holiday punch.
Fall punch
Today I wanted to share a fun Thanksgiving punch that my friends and I created the other day in our “test kitchen.” (Better known as, the kitchen in our house that becomes a test kitchen when we get to creating.) ;)
This fall punch is one of the absolute best Thanksgiving drinks! It has such great fall flavors and is so simple to make. It’s the perfect drink for a crowd. Enjoy all the best flavors of autumn with this amazing, delicious Thanksgiving punch!
Ingredients for Thanksgiving punch
The below ingredients were the final ingredients we nailed down for the Thanksgiving punch when experimenting. The beauty behind this fall punch recipe is that you can play with the ingredients to reach a level of flavor that you prefer. So easy and delicious!
- Apple cider (not spiced)
- Caramel syrup
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Cinnamon sticks
- Sliced apples
How to serve Thanksgiving punch
If you’re serving this Thanksgiving punch at home or in a location where you can “play,” you can have a LOT of fun dressing up the beverage station. Consider filling the beverage space with:
- Sliced apples (as a garnish, in the punch)
- Cinnamon sticks (as a garnish/drink stirrer)
- Drink dispenser, or fun pitcher
- Whole apples, for decor, staggered around outside of the drink dispenser
- Fall color-coordinated napkins/towels/tablecloth
- Peck/Bushel baskets to hold drink accessories
- Mason jars, milk bottles, or any fun/stylish glasses
Quick tips about fall punch
What I also love about this fall punch is that it can be served different ways! No matter which way you choose to serve this punch, remember to stir often in order to keep the flavors blended.
- Room temperature, over ice
- Chilled in the refrigerator ahead of time
- Warm, and served in a crock pot
Fun Tip:
Serve your Thanksgiving punch with an adorable drink stirrer. Not only does it add a bit of pizzazz, but it encourages your guests to remember to stir it before each sip, enjoying all of the flavors of this punch.
Thanksgiving Punch for a Crowd
Ingredients
(To fit a 2-gallon drink dispenser)
- 2 gallons apple cider (not spiced)
- 12.2 ounces caramel syrup (1 bottle)
- 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- Cinnamon Sticks (optional)
- Sliced Apples (optional)
Instructions
- Pour apple cider into a drink dispenser (all but 1/4 of the 2 gallons).
- Then pour in entire bottle of caramel syrup.
- Stir in pumpkin spice, using a whisk. (Some of the spice may continue to float to the top).
- Optional: Add cinnamon sticks and sliced apples.
- Serve chilled, at room temperature or warm. Stir occasionally to keep the flavors equally distributed.
Video
Nutrition
I so hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving punch recipe! There’s just something about Fall and the flavors of pumpkin, spice, and everything nice!
Originally written by Jessica from Fantabulosity.
Thank you for this post. It is perfect for the perfect holidays.
Just been with you for a day- fun … shared with my Dutch oven group!
I was reading your thanksgiving punch recipe and noticed it called for Carmel syrup which typically has milk product in it. Do you have any suggestions for sweetening this punch with some besides Carmel or something containing milk (whey or caesin)? Agave?
Thank you in advanced.
Best Regards,
Nova
I’ve seen Caramel Syrup by the coffee/Italian soda syrups without milk products, and Agave would be a great addition!
Do you use sugar free or regular carmel syrup? The picture shows sugar free, but the recipe doesn’t specify.
I’ve used both! Use what you prefer. :)
Where did you get the little wooden stirrers?
From Shop Sweet Lulu! :)
Made this for a huge Thanksgiving dinner we hold at our parish and EVERYONE loved it……so much that I made it again the next night for another large group and again received raves about it. And so easy too!
Yay! We are so glad everyone enjoyed it, Sue!
I can only find Salted Caramel syrup. I have gone to 3 different stores. Is there something else that I could use. I don’t want it to be salty.
We had someone else use agave and they enjoyed it! Or you could add some maple syrup – I’d only add half of what you would have used for the caramel syrup and taste it and adjust from there. :)
Can you make it the night before?
Thank you!
Debbie
If you can store it in the fridge overnight, yes! Just give it a good stir before serving. :)
Instead of using pumpkin pie spice and having to stir it constantly, get a piece of cheesecloth. Place cinnamon sticks, a few cloves, and a piece of fresh ginger in the cloth and tie it shut. Heat up 1/4 gallon of the cider and toss in the bag of spices. Simmer for 20 mins and then let cool. Toss the spice bundle and add the spiced cider to the rest of the cider. Flavorful without having to stir all night.
Such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Hey girl!
So I’m reading through your comments and not getting the info I’m looking for.. Looks like I’m going to be “that girl” who asks..!
I’m looking to make this for an “adult party”, if you see what I’m getting at….. If not – what kind of booze do you think would be awesome in this recipe?!
Had to be the one, I know someone else was thinkin’ the same! This recipe sounds BOMB and I am in full-blown Autumn season feels right now :)
Hi Jillian! I actually don’t drink alcohol so I’m not the person to ask! But I have seen lots of other spiked apple cider recipes out there made with whiskey, bourbon, or rum.
Fireball is what i was thinking of adding!
For the commenter asking about spiking this punch. I would think caramel flavored vodka would be ideal.
Thanks for the recommendation! :)
HI Jessica! I’m wondering if it would work to sub half of the apple cider with sparkling cider to make it bubbly? Or would you have to add something else like Sprite to cut down the sweetness? I’m looking to serve it to a large group of women, and I’d love to serve something festive like this with a little bubble! Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thank you!!
*Emily
Hi Emily! I’m not sure but I would probably recommend sprite over sparkling cider. I have seen some yummy cranberry sparkling apple cider recipes out there…that might be closer to what you are looking for! :)
I think you would love this holiday sangria mocktail: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/holiday-sangria-mocktail/ :)
For a spiked version, I would use either a cinnamon whiskey or a honey whisky :) Id also not add it directly as some people prefer more or less, plus you dont run the risk of someone who is not supposed to be drinking alcohol, ie kids, getting a hold of it ;)
Thanks for the suggestion! :)
How many people does this serve?
12-16!
I would like to make this for Thanksgiving this year and was wondering if I could sub caramel ice cream topping for the Torani’s?
Sounds delicious!! I would give it a go! :)
I made this in a crockpot and served it warm. I made a cider bar and let people spike it with either rum, whiskey or Carmel flavored vodka. I also used put out cinnamon sti sticks to stir and Carmel cubes to drop in. BIG hit as an after dinner drink after thanksgiving ?
Sounds like the perfect party drink! Thanks for sharing Tracy! :)
For everyone who has made this, did you serve hot, cold, room temp/over ice? I’m making this for thanksgiving and wanted yalls opinions on which way you liked it. Thanks!!!
Hi Laura! With dinner I would recommend it cold. If having it at night with pie, I would recommend hot with whipped cream! :)
How long will this keep in fridge??
It should last for about a week! :)
This sounds delicious. And I love the way you have it displayed in the drink container. I have a similar container that I always fill with water and fresh, seasonal fruit when I entertain. I’ll have to try this punch next time!
I love spiced cider and always use the prepacked spice mix, but love the idea of making it myself – these flavors are the best!
Hope you enjoy! :)
Love this! I’m totally trying for thanksgiving with a second option with a little spiced rum in it for the grown-up kids;)
Great idea! Hope you enjoy! :)
What a fun idea! Never thought of serving a Thanksgiving punch…such a family friendly holiday treat. Just pinned…thanks for sharing with us! :)
Hope you enjoy! :)
This sounds like a super fun recipe for Thanksgiving. I bet all the kids would love it. I like your awesome presentation as well :)
Thanks! Drinks are always the last thing I think about, so this is an easy and delicious drink!
If I use Hershey’s caramel syrup will it mix properly?
It might not mix as well as the Torani syrup!