Planning the perfect Thanksgiving menu can be quite the feat. There are thousands upon thousands of recipes floating on the Internet, and only so much room on your sideboard (and space in the oven). Then there are the opinions. There’s the cousin who’s always ready to try something new, and the great aunt who insists on the old-school versions of every side. Spoiler alert: that Jell-O salad isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
With so much discussion about what to eat, it can be easy to overlook what to drink. Maybe you remember to chill a bottle of wine at the last minute, or you tell everyone they can grab a beer from the basement fridge. But seldom does a drink get planned to the level that dessert does. When you’re thinking of a perfectly executed Thanksgiving meal, it should always start with a seasonal cocktail, and our Thanksgiving Punch is the ideal tipple. I made this for my family last year, and it was the far and away winner of our dinner. Everyone requested it make a comeback this year.
Credit: Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living
Why Your Dinner Needs Thanksgiving Punch
With only seven ingredients and 15 minutes of active time, this may be the easiest thing you make this Thanksgiving (minus opening a can of cranberry sauce). But there are so many more reasons to love it.
Credit:
Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living
The Flavors Are Festive
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a little cranberry, so the fact that this cocktail’s base is cranberry juice makes it right on target for a seasonal sip. The addition of apple cider, plus warm spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks, makes this an ideal fall drink. Spiced rum and ginger beer give it a zippy bite to bring it all together.
It’s Approachable
Not everyone likes a stiff old-fashioned, but everyone can enjoy this crowd-pleasing punch. Unlike bourbon or whiskey which can be polarizing, its alcoholic component is a docile spiced rum. The added carbonation from ginger beer gives it an effervescent appeal that’s perfect for whetting your appetite without making anyone too full for dinner.
Credit:
Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living
You Can Make It Ahead Of Time
Any Thanksgiving dish that doesn’t have to be made on the day of gets a gold star in our books. Mix all the ingredients together the night before; just save the ginger beer and apple and rosemary garnishes to add right before serving.
It Makes A Great Impression
Your guests will be so impressed that you took the time to think of a pre-dinner cocktail. And when presented in your prettiest punch bowl with apple slices floating on top, they won’t be able to resist. Pair it with a simple charcuterie spread, and watch as everyone gets geared up for the main event.
Credit:
Hannah Zimmerman/Southern Living
What Reviewers Are Saying
We’re not the only ones who think this cocktail is the star of any Thanksgiving spread. Plenty of y’all have tried it out and have lots to say.
“Love how simple this punch is and it’s well suited to all kinds of tastes.”“Making this beyond Thanksgiving! Easy to prep and really delicious”“This is my go-to signature drink for Thanksgiving. Now my family expects it!”“Incredible idea for the holiday punchbowl so everyone can help themselves, one less thing for the stressed hostess.”“We made this for a big crowd this Thanksgiving. Everyone loved it. We left out the ginger beer and let everyone add it to theirs if they wanted. I liked it both ways.”
Dining and Cooking