This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
It’s not a party without a bowl of holiday punch! This is the best recipe for spiced holiday punch ever (and I have tried quite a few!). It’s the perfect beverage to serve at your next holiday gathering. This delicious Thanksgiving or Christmas spiced punch is delicious and with or without alcohol, it’ll be a hit. Made with apple cider, lemon juice, and a blend of spices, this refreshing drink can be served hot or cold. Garnish with apple slices and spices for an extra festive touch.
Make a batch of spiced holiday punch in under 30 minutes and fill your home with the fragrance of cozy spices.
If you love this easy Christmas punch recipe, also try my Linzer cookies, these fireball jello shots, or some Santa hat coconut cocktails.
Why You’ll Love It
Customizable: Adjust sweetness and spice levels and make it a non-alcoholic holiday punch.
Make-ahead friendly: This alcoholic Christmas punch can be prepared in advance, saving time on busy holiday days.
A crowd-pleaser: Its delightful aroma and rich flavor make it popular with everyone at your Christmas party. Serve it in a pretty punch bowl and make it a real showstopper.
Festive taste and aroma: Infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves and star anise, it perfectly captures the essence of the festive season.
Spiced Holiday Punch Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Apple cider: The heart of the Thanksgiving or Christmas punch.
Spices: Use ultra-fresh spices like whole clove, cinnamon sticks and star anise.
Spiced rum or ginger beer: Adds a boozy kick and warmth to the punch. The ginger beer or ginger ale is great if you want an alcohol-free version.
Fireball whisky or cinnamon schnapps (optional): If you want to amp up the cinnamon flavor, these give the punch a fiery, cinnamon-sweet edge.
Apples: Thinly sliced apples not only infuse the spiced Christmas punch with fresh apple flavor but also make for a beautiful garnish.
Brown sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness.
Lime or orange juice: Used for rimming the glasses, it adds a citrusy zing while helping the cinnamon-sugar mixture stick to the rim.
How to Make Spiced Holiday Punch
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Simmer the base: Simmer the apple cider with cloves, cinnamon, and star anise. Cool completely. Strain the spices and pour the cider into a large bowl or pitcher.
Complete the base: Add the remaining cider, rum, Fireball and lemon juice. Stir well.
Serve chilled: Pour it over ice or chill until ready. Serve in sugar-rimmed glasses.
Serving a hot version: Simmer a full gallon of apple cider with the spices. Remove from heat, then stir in the rum, Fireball, and lemon juice. Serve with apple slices and spices in sugar-rimmed glasses.
To rim the glasses: Mix brown sugar, coarse sugar, and cinnamon in a wide bowl. Pour lime or orange juice into a shallow bowl. Dip glass rims in the juice, then coat with the sugar mixture.
Substitutions and Variations
Spiced rum swap: Substitute with dark rum, bourbon or, for a non-alcoholic version, use ginger beer in your holiday spiced punch.
Fireball whisky/cinnamon schnapps alternative: Use regular whiskey or brandy, or skip it entirely for a milder punch.
Lemon juice: Swap with lime juice, pineapple juice, some lemon-lime soda, or orange juice.
Apple cider: Use pear cider, pomegranate juice, or cranberry juice cocktail for a unique flavor profile. A cranberry orange Christmas punch recipe is just as delicious.
Non-alcoholic: Leave out the alcohol entirely and use sparkling water or ginger ale for a fizzy, family-friendly punch this holiday season.
Sparkling punch: Add a splash of club soda or prosecco for a bubbly twist.
Extra spice: Add fresh ginger or a dash of nutmeg for an extra layer of warmth.
Fruit garnish options: Add orange slices, fresh cranberries or pomegranate seeds.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Start with chicken meatball soup for an easy holiday bowl.
Main: Try my cranberry and cream cheese stuffed beef with sausage and cranberry stuffing.
Dessert: Make this incredible eggnog cheesecake or my gingerbread trifle to end with.
How to Store Holiday Punch
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer: The punch can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.
Thaw: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Reheat: For hot punch, reheat gently on the stove over low heat until warmed through.
Top Tips
Serve it with a bit of theater: Light the ends of the cinnamon sticks, then blow out before serving. This releases a light, smoky flavor.
Simmer gently: Keep the heat low to avoid boiling, which can cause the flavors to turn bitter.
Adjust spices: Taste and adjust spices as needed to match your flavor preference; you can add more cloves or cinnamon sticks for extra warmth.
Cool completely: Make sure the punch cools completely before mixing alcohol to prevent dilution and flavor changes.
Mix before serving: Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Use fresh ingredients: Fresh apples and high-quality cider will enhance the overall flavor of your punch.
Apple Cider Punch FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the punch in advance. For cold punch, chill it in the refrigerator, or for hot punch, store it in an airtight container and reheat before serving.
You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar or using a sweeter cider. Taste and tweak to your preference.
Absolutely! Simply leave out the rum, Fireball, and any other alcohol, and replace them with extra ginger beer or sparkling water.
Spice Apple Punch Recipe
Spiced Holiday Punch
Equipment
- Saucepan Large
Ingredients
- 1 Gallon apple cider
- 6 cloves, whole
- 4 Sticks cinnamon
- 4 star anise, plus more to serve
- 2 Cups spiced rum, or ginger beer
- ½ Cup Fireball whisky, or cinnamon schnapps, optional
- ½ Cup lemon juice
- 2 apples, sliced
For the Cinnamon Sugar:
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons white sugar, coarse
- ½ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ Cup lime juice, or orange juice, to rim the glasses
Instructions
To Make Chilled Holiday Punch:
- Pour half the cider into a pan and add the cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise to the pot.
- Bring to a simmer over a medium-low heat and cook for 10 minutes. Let it cool completely.
- Strain the spices from the apple cider and pour into a large serving bowl or pitcher.
- Add the remaining apple cider, rum, Fireball and lemon juice. Stir well.
- You can enjoy this over ice or chill until ready to serve.
- Serve in sugar-rimmed glasses.
To Make Hot Holiday Punch:
- Pour the whole gallon of apple cider into a large pan and add the spices.
- Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the rum, Fireball and lemon juice.
- Serve in sugar rimmed glasses with apple slices and spices.
To Rim the Glasses:
- Combine the brown sugar, coarse sugar and cinnamon in a wide bowl.
- Pour the lime or orange juice into a wide, shallow bowl.
- Dip the rim of the serving cups in the juice, then roll in the sugar mixture.
Notes
Simmer gently: Keep the heat low to avoid boiling, which can cause the flavors to turn bitter.
Adjust spices: Taste and adjust spices as needed to match your flavor preference; you can add more cloves or cinnamon sticks for extra warmth.
Cool completely: Make sure the punch cools completely before mixing alcohol to prevent dilution and flavor changes.
Mix before serving: Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Use fresh ingredients: Fresh apples and high-quality cider will enhance the overall flavor of your punch.
Nutrition
This spiced holiday punch is the ultimate recipe for your next festive gathering! If you’re searching for a standout beverage for your holiday event, this Christmas punch is it. Whether you choose to add alcohol or keep it non-alcoholic, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Crafted with apple cider, lemon juice, and aromatic spices, this versatile drink is delicious, hot or cold.
Other Festive Recipes To Try
- These festive pecan cookies are the perfect treat to enjoy while unwrapping gifts.
- Make gingerbread cheesecake dip as the perfect dipper dessert dish.
- Cranberry and lemon pistachio cookies look like pretty wreaths – great to hang up!
- Italian chocolate roll cookies are a classic holiday treat.
- Make crinkle Grinch cookies with the kids for a creative and fun session.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Absolutely loved this punch! So festive and perfect for a holiday gathering.