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This quick and easy fall Apple Cider Punch recipe packs big flavor in a delicious, simple-to-make recipe. Mix up pitcher for your next fall party or as a refreshing option on game day!
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If you’ve ever come to one of my book signings or mocktail samplings, or even my kiddo's birthday party, there’s a good chance that this is the punch I was serving. It's the perfect fall drink that the whole family can enjoy. It’s also easy to make in large quantities and everyone - adults, teens, and kids - always loves it.
It’s also a super affordable drink to mix up, even in big amounts - and contains simple ingredients easily found at your local grocery store.
The blend of apple and orange is a bit surprising, but it really works. There’s no cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, star anise, or cloves in this recipe - even as garnish. The fall flavors come from the cider, ginger (ale), and brown sugar. Brightening them up with citrus juices keeps this delicious Apple Cider Punch on the refreshing side making it a great choice for warmer fall days, but versatile enough to serve with Thanksgiving dinner or anytime during the holiday season.
What’s in Apple Cider Punch?
- Apple Cider - Fresh apple cider is the key ingredient. Don’t swap it out for apple juice. The apple flavor doesn’t hold up with juice. It needs to be cider.
- Brown Sugar Syrup - Easy made at home with 2 ingredients, one batch of my brown sugar syrup recipe will give you enough for a pitcher of Apple Cider Punch.
- Orange Juice - Choose a quality orange juice without pulp for this recipe. I usually pick up one of the small bottles of Simply Orange at the grocery store to keep my costs low while still getting a great tasting product.
- Lemon Juice - Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best, but that means squeezing 4 lemons for this recipe. If this seems reasonable to you - go for it! Otherwise buy a bottle of quality lemon juice. I like using Real Lemon brand juice for my large batch drinks.
- Ginger Ale - Choose your favorite brand of ginger ale for this recipe. Ginger beer also works, especially if you prefer a stronger ginger flavor.
- Apples and Oranges (garnish) - Whole fruit is an easy and fresh garnish for both your pitcher and the serving glasses. Cut both the apple and oranges on their equator for the prettiest slices.
How to Make Apple Cider Punch
In a large pitcher, combine apple cider, brown sugar syrup, orange juice, and lemon juice.
Add ginger ale and stir gently to combine.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Note: If you’re going to serve your Apple Cider Punch several hours after you make it, wait to add the ginger ale until right before you’re ready to serve.
Serve over ice.
Garnish with apple slices and/or orange slices.
Add Ice to the Glasses, Not the Pitcher
I know it’s soooo tempting, but don’t add ice to the pitcher of punch. Ice is just going to melt in the pitcher, watering down your drinks. Refrigerate your batch of punch to get it cold, then serve it in glasses filled with ice. That way the entire pitcher isn’t getting watered down, just the individual glasses.
I'm not a fan of a large punch bowl with an ice ring for this same reason. The ice ring will melt before the punch is gone and now all that water is in the punch.
Make Apple Cider Punch by the Glass
If all you want is one or two glasses of punch, sometimes it’s easier to just make individual amounts. For 1 glass of Apple Cider Punch combine: 2 oz apple cider, 1 oz brown sugar simple syrup, 1 oz fresh orange juice, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice, and 1 oz ginger ale. Stir everything together in a mixing glass, or small mason jar. Pour over ice and enjoy!
Make it into Apple Cider Cocktails
Want to spike this punch? I love making this recipe an easy cocktail by adding caramel vodka or bourbon to this easy Apple Cider Punch. If you want to make the entire pitcher alcoholic, add 1 cup of vodka or bourbon along with the other ingredients.
If you want to keep it to the individual glasses, add 1 ounce of spirit to each glass as you serve it. Or simply set out a bottle of vodka or bourbon and a shot glass next to the pitcher or drink dispensers of Apple Cider Punch and let your guests make their own liquor choices.
Looking for More Recipes by the Pitcher?
Mixing up large batches of drinks is ideal when entertaining a large group because keeps you out of the kitchen and able to spend more time with your guests. Try my Pomegranate Lemonade, Easy Pitcher Drinks, Blueberry Lavender Lemonade, Sparkling Citrus Punch, or a fall-favorite, Thanksgiving Apple Punch.
Want More Apple Recipes?
Apples are my favorite fall fruit and I will happily eat and drink anything made with them all year long. If you share my love for apples, try my fresh Apple Salsa with homemade Cinnamon Chips, Caramel Apple Cocktail with caramel vodka, or Apple Cider Applesauce sweetened with maple syrup.
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Non-Alcoholic Apple Cider Punch
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup ginger ale
- 1 cup brown sugar simple syrup
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine apple cider, brown sugar syrup, orange juice, and lemon juice.2 cups apple cider, 1 cup brown sugar simple syrup, 1 cup fresh orange juice, ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- Add ginger ale and stir gently to combine.1 cup ginger ale
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve over ice and garnish with slices of apples and/or oranges.
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