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    Home > Recipes > Drinks

    Apple Cider Punch with Bourbon

    Published: Nov 1, 2018 · Modified: Apr 4, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 4 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    16.9K shares
    Apple Cider Punch
    Apple Cider Punch
    Apple Cider Punch
    Apple Cider Punch
    Apple Cider Punch with Bourbon

    Apple Cider Punch with Bourbon in mason jarsThis festive apple cider punch comes together with delicious apple cider, ginger beer, and bourbon and can be made in batches to serve to a crowd.

    Have you recovered from the Halloween sugar rush? I’m usually a bit of a Halloween scrooge and have never loved getting dressed up, but the joy of two four-year-olds on Halloween is infectious. Molly and Clara stayed up late, ate too much sugar, and loved every second of it.

    In true food-blogger fashion this time of year, when one holiday ends, I switch to full on excitement for the next one. And, loving recipes and food and gathering around meals as much as I do, Thanksgiving is my favorite.

    Apple Cider Punch with Bourbon in a glass jar

    When I was dreaming up this festive Apple Cider Punch, I saw it sitting out with other drinks near a Thanksgiving spread, but it would fit well with nearly any gathering this time of year. We served ours with for an open house on Halloween last night, and it fit right in with the chili bar and toppings.

    Colorful cranberries and apple slices give this Apple Cider Punch a festive look, but the flavor is pretty simple - just cider, ginger beer, and bourbon. Garnish the glasses with sticks of cinnamon and crisp cinnamon sugar apple chips.

    Apple Cider Punch with Bourbon in mason jars with cinnamon sticks

    Ginger Beer

    If you haven’t had ginger beer, it’s worth seeking out for this recipe. This non-alcoholic soda is what most store-bought ginger ales aspire to be. It has a clean, sweet, fizzy flavor with a lightly spicy kick from ginger. The combination of spices from the ginger beer and the apple cider make this chilled punch still feel warming. (The bourbon helps with that too!)

    Pouring Apple Cider Punch with Bourbon

    For Non-Alcoholic Apple Cider Punch

    Apple Cider Punch can be easily made without the alcohol too! If you’ll be serving it to a crowd that may include those who want to skip the bourbon, make the recipe as written without the bourbon. Set the bourbon on the side and add a shot to the glasses of those who want it.

    Favorite Tools

    • Pitcher
    • Ball 4-oz mason jars (set of 24)

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    Apple Cider Punch
    Print Recipe
    4.29 from 52 votes

    Apple Cider Punch with Bourbon

    This festive cocktail with apple cider, ginger beer, and bourbon can be made in batches to serve to a crowd.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Beverage
    Keyword: alcoholic drink, drinks, party and entertaining
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 210kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $6.00

    Equipment

    • Pitcher

    Ingredients

    • ½ gallon Apple Cider
    • 1 cup / 8 oz Bourbon
    • 1 12 oz bottle Ginger Beer, non-alcoholic
    • 1 cup Fresh Cranberries (optional)
    • 1 Apple, thinly sliced (optional)

    For serving:

    • Ice
    • Cinnamon sticks (optional)
    • Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips (optional)

    Instructions

    • Combine apple cider, bourbon, and ginger beer in a large pitcher. Top with cranberries and apple slices.
    • Fill glasses with ice and pour punch over top. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and apple chips.

    Notes

    I like the flavor of a non-alcoholic ginger beer in this recipe. It adds bubbles and a lightly spicy ginger flavor. Ginger ale is more mild but is a fine substitute.
    If you’d like to have a non-alcoholic version available, simply combine the apple cider and ginger beer in a pitcher. After pouring the punch, add a shot of bourbon directly to glasses for those who want it.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 274mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

     

    Happy Halloween from our witch (Clara), Wonder Woman (Molly), and butterfly (June)! (Plus Frank lending a hand from the sidelines!)Halloween 2018

     

    *This post contains affiliate links*

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    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jessica

      November 17, 2018 at 5:18 am

      5 stars
      This is a great drink to try, Jess! We'd opt for the non-alcoholic 🙂
      Your kids are adorable, great photo!
      Thanks for sharing this recipe.
      Cheers,
      Jessica

      Reply
      • Jess

        November 19, 2018 at 11:25 am

        Thanks so much Jessica! It's so good and so easy, especially the non-alcoholic version - my kiddos love it!

        Reply
    2. Linda

      November 13, 2021 at 1:06 pm

      Do you have a specific kind of cider you like to use? We love the Trader Joe's spiced apple cider and am wondering if I can use that?

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        November 15, 2021 at 8:49 am

        I think that would be delicious! Any kind of cider you prefer should be fine in this recipe. Let us know how it turns out!

        Reply

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