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 for a crowd!
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Favorite Fall Punch
If you need an easy fall punch to round out your Thanksgiving menu, this is the perfect recipe. It’s made with only 3 ingredients and takes only 5 minutes to prep. It tastes similar to apple cider, but with a caramel twist. It’s so delicious!
This Thanksgiving punch is perfect for serving a crowd during the holiday season. It has such great fall flavors and is so simple to make. Literally, you can’t mess it up! Serve it alongside your roasted turkey, funeral potatoes, green bean casserole and other holiday favorites to round out your meal.
You simply just mix together apple cider, caramel syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Then add in any extras like cinnamon sticks or sliced apples. It can be served cold, at room temperature or warm. So many ways to make this recipe for Thanksgiving punch your own!
Why This Recipe Works
- Serves a crowd. If you’re hosting a large get together for Thanksgiving dinner, this is a great party punch to whip up. It makes about 32 servings total, which is perfect for accommodating a large amount of guests.
- Non-alcoholic. A cocktail for guests of all ages! Both kids and adults can enjoy this delicious non-alcoholic Thanksgiving punch.
- 5 minutes to make. It literally couldn’t be easier to prepare, taking only 5 minutes from start to finish. Not to mention it only requires 3 ingredients too!
3 Simple Ingredients
You only need 3 base ingredients to get started. The beauty behind this fall punch recipe is that you can play with the ingredients to reach a level of flavor that you prefer. Or mix in sliced apples or fresh cranberries. So easy and delicious!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Apple cider: This is the base of the punch. You can make homemade apple cider or buy it premade. You’ll need 2 gallons.
- Caramel syrup: Gives it a rich, caramel flavor. The punch will taste like a caramel apple in drink form!
- Pumpkin pie spice: Adds those warm and comforting fall spices. You can make your own pumpkin pie spice at home with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves.
Variations
It’s so easy to adapt this Thanksgiving punch recipe to your taste. Add in a few cinnamon sticks, a sprinkle of apple pie spice or some freshly sliced apples or oranges for more fresh flavor and decoration. Fresh cranberries always look pretty floating on top too!
How to Make Thanksgiving Punch
It only takes 5 minutes to make this recipe for Thanksgiving punch, leaving you plenty of time to focus on the smoked turkey and all your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.
- Pour the apple cider into the drink dispenser or large pitcher (all but 1/4 of the 2 gallons). Next pour in the caramel syrup.
- Stir in the pumpkin pie spice. You can add as much or as little as you want. I’m usually a little heavy handed. :) The spice has a tendency to float to the top, so just make sure to give it a good stir again before serving.
- Serve the punch chilled, at room temperature or warm.
Serving Suggestions
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, orange slices or cranberries (as a garnish, in the punch)
- Cinnamon sticks (as a garnish/drink stirrer)
- Drink dispenser, or fun pitcher or punch bowl
- Whole apples or rosemary sprigs, for décor, 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
- Festive drink stirrers
5 star review
“Delicious! I’m making this again for our Thanksgiving gathering. The caramel syrup takes this cider, next level! Thanks for sharing the recipe!“
Glenda
Expert Tips
- Stir well. Don’t be alarmed if you notice small specks of pumpkin spice floating at the top of the pitcher. It has a tendency to do this, but just give it a good stir before serving and it will mix into the punch again.
- Adding fruit. If you’re adding apple slices or cinnamon sticks on top for decoration, don’t add them in until just before serving. This way the apples will stay crisp and won’t brown, which is never as pretty for decoration!
- Serve hot or cold. What I love about this Thanksgiving punch is that it can be served so many different ways! Whether it’s at room temperature over ice, chilled in the refrigerator ahead of time or warm in a crockpot, it tastes delicious each way. Just remember to stir it often in order to keep the flavors blended.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! You can easily make it 1 day ahead if desired. Prepare as directed, then store covered in the fridge until ready to serve the next day. Make sure to give it a big stir before serving so that the spices and flavors combine together again.
Definitely. If you have a smaller crowd, feel free to make a half batch. Simply use 1 gallon of apple cider, 2-4 ounces caramel syrup and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice. It will make about 16 servings.
Although we don’t drink alcohol, others have had success adding in spiced rum, caramel flavored vodka or cinnamon whiskey. I’d also not add it directly as some people prefer more or less, plus you don’t run the risk of someone drinking it who is not supposed to be drinking.
Yes, that is a great option! You can heat it up on the stove or in the crockpot. Sometimes we top it off with some ginger ale to add a little fizz to it when serving!
This Thanksgiving punch will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week.
Finish off your Thanksgiving meal with a slice of homemade pumpkin pie or my favorite Dutch apple pie. Don’t forget the whipped cream and vanilla ice cream!
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Thanksgiving Punch
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Ingredients
- 2 gallons apple cider (not spiced)
- 6-12 ounces caramel flavoring syrup (I like Torani), add more to taste
- 1-2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Optional: Cinnamon sticks, Sliced apple circles
Instructions
- Pour apple cider (all but 1/4 of the 2 gallons) into a drink dispenser. Add the caramel syrup.
- Whisk in pumpkin pie spice. Some of the spice may float to the top, but whisk again right before serving. Taste and add more pumpkin spice, if desired.
- Serve chilled, at room temperature, or warm. Stir occasionally to keep the flavors equally distributed. Add cinnamon sticks and sliced apples to the punch just before serving, if using.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe contributed by Jessica from Fantabulosity.
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Beverages, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Halloween, Kid-Friendly, Nut-Free, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
If using caramel vodka worid you still use the caramel sryup? Or would that be too sweet?
I haven’t ever tried that, but I don’t think you’d need it
This has become a staple for our fall pitch in dinners at work and Thanksgiving!
Sounds delicious 😋 I think adding some carmel vodka to make it an adult punch would make it even better!
Definitely agree!
How much caramel vodka would you add to this ?
Great recipe and easy to take on the road when traveling for the holiday. It looks very appealing in a beverage server or punch bowl too. Perfect for any family get together or church pot luck. Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s definitely a keeper!
All great ideas and ways to use this punch! I am so glad that you love it! Thanks for sharing!
So wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing
Glad you like it! Happy Thanksgiving :)
I made this recipe for my Daughter’s Baby Shower. It was so delicious! Everyone loved it. I put whole cranberries in it and cinnamon sticks for garnish and it looked so good. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Thanks for sharing, Melodie! Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
I am confused, the ingredients call for 6-12 oz of syrup but that’s a wide gap. I’d like to make it for the holidays.
The original recipe did call for more, but I typically start with 6 ounces and add more to taste.
Delicious! I’m making this again for our Thanksgiving gathering. The caramel syrup takes this cider, next level! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
You are so welcome! I agree, the caramel sauce does make it so tasty!
I wasn’t sure what to offer for drinks this year so I’m so glad I found this Thanksgiving punch. It’s going to be a hit at our family dinner.
So easy and delicious! Hope everyone enjoys :)