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Ultimate Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Punch (Cocktail and Mocktail)

Close-up of a glass filled with vibrant red Thanksgiving punch, garnished with orange slices and whole cranberries.
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Prepare this festive cranberry orange punch ahead of time for your Thanksgiving gathering. It serves a crowd and you can easily make both an alcoholic version with prosecco and a non-alcoholic version.

Ingredients

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  • 6 cups cranberry juice, chilled
  • 4 cups apple cider, chilled
  • 2 cups orange juice, chilled
  • 1 cup orange slices for garnish
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish
  • 1 bottle (750ml) chilled Prosecco or sparkling white grape juice (for mocktail)
  • 1 cup bourbon or vodka (optional, for cocktail version)
  • 1 liter ginger ale or club soda, chilled (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Combine the chilled cranberry juice, apple cider, and orange juice in a large punch bowl or beverage dispenser. This is your base.
  2. If making the cocktail version, gently stir in the bourbon or vodka now.
  3. Cover the punch base and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow flavors to meld. This is the make-ahead step.
  4. Just before serving, add the orange slices and whole cranberries to the punch bowl for garnish.
  5. If using, slowly pour in the chilled Prosecco or sparkling white grape juice. Stir gently once.
  6. If you prefer a lighter, fizzier drink, top with chilled ginger ale or club soda instead of or in addition to the sparkling wine.
  7. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For an extra festive look, freeze some cranberries and orange slices in ice cube trays with a little water to create large, decorative ice rings instead of using loose fruit.
  • To make the non-alcoholic version, simply omit the bourbon/vodka and use sparkling white grape juice or ginger ale as the bubbly component.
  • This recipe is easily scalable for very large crowds.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/easy-thanksgiving-punch-cocktail-mocktail/