Description
Harvest bourbon punch blends seasonal apple cider with warm spices and rich bourbon for a comforting autumn cocktail. Smooth whiskey notes and crisp apple flavors create an irresistible drinking experience you will savor during cool evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) bourbon, rum, or spiced whiskey
- 4 cups (946 ml) apple cider
- 2 cups (473 ml) cranberry juice
- 2 cups (473 ml) orange juice
- 1 cup (237 ml) ginger ale
- 1 cup (237 ml) prosecco or champagne
- 2 tbsps maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp allspice
- 2–3 star anise
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
- Liquid Fusion: Whisk apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice, and ginger ale in a large punch bowl, blending until uniformly combined.
- Spice Infusion: Stir maple syrup, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice into the liquid mixture, ensuring complete dissolution and even distribution of warm autumn flavors.
- Fruit Integration: Gently fold crisp apple slices, vibrant orange segments, and fresh cranberries throughout the punch, creating a visually stunning and aromatic beverage.
- Flavor Marination: Refrigerate the punch for at least one hour, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify their seasonal essence.
- Serving Preparation: Fill glasses with ice, pour chilled punch, and garnish with additional fruit slices, a cinnamon stick, or star anise pod for an elegant presentation.
- Warm Alternative: For a cozy version, transfer punch to a slow cooker and heat on low for 2-3 hours, or simmer on stovetop for 15-20 minutes, serving in warm mugs for a comforting autumn experience.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Depth: Let the punch chill for at least an hour to allow spices and fruits to fully blend, creating a more complex and rich taste profile.
- Balance Sweetness Wisely: Adjust maple syrup quantity based on the natural sweetness of your apple cider and cranberry juice to prevent the punch from becoming overly sugary.
- Fruit Selection Matters: Choose crisp, seasonal apples like Honeycrisp or Gala for the best texture and flavor when adding fruit slices to the punch.
- Temperature Flexibility: Easily transform this punch from a refreshing cold drink to a warm, comforting beverage by adjusting heating methods without compromising its delicious autumn essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg