This Thanksgiving punch is an easy fall beverage favorite made with apple cider, caramel syrup and pumpkin pie spice. It’s a fun and festive drink for the holidays!
More non-alcoholic beverage recipes I love to serve kids and adults include caramel apple cider, crockpot wassail and this holiday sangria mocktail.
Table of Contents
Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Punch
If you need an easy fall punch to round out your Thanksgiving menu, this is the perfect Thanksgiving punch recipe. It’s made with only 3 ingredients and takes only 5 minutes to prep. It tastes similar to apple cider, but with a caramel twist. It’s so delicious!
This punch serves a crowd during the holidays, is simple to make with apple cider and caramel syrup and has the best fall beverage flavor from pumpkin pie spice. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving dinner with favorites like roasted turkey, funeral potatoes, green bean casserole!
Why You’ll Love It
- Easily serves a crowd. This is a great fall party punch to whip up for Thanksgiving dinner with only 3 ingredients in 5 minutes. It makes about 32 servings total!
- For all ages. A Thanksgiving cocktail that is safe for guests of all ages! Both kids and adults can enjoy this delicious Thanksgiving punch non alcoholic.
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Apple cider: This is the base of the apple cider punch. You can make homemade apple cider or buy it premade. You’ll need 2 gallons.
- Caramel syrup: Gives it a rich, caramel flavor. The punch will taste like a caramel apple in drink form!
- Pumpkin pie spice: Adds warm and comforting fall spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Apple pie spice is another favorite.
- Garnish (optional): I love to add sliced apples, orange slices or fresh cranberries in the punch and cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs or candied oranges for garnish. My kids love to add a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkles.
How to Make Thanksgiving Punch
It only takes 5 minutes to make this perfect recipe for a fall flavored Thanksgiving punch. Plenty of time to focus on smoked turkey and other favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.
- Pour the apple cider into the drink dispenser or large pitcher (all but 1/4 of the 2 gallons). Next pour in the caramel syrup.
- Stir in the pumpkin pie spice. You can add as much or as little as you want. I’m usually a little heavy handed. :) The spice has a tendency to float to the top, so just make sure to give it a good stir again before serving.
- Serve the punch chilled, at room temperature or warm.
Serving Tips
- Stir well. Don’t be alarmed if you notice small specks of pumpkin spice floating at the top of the pitcher. Just stir before serving and it will mix into the punch again.
- Adding fruit. If you’re adding apple slices or cinnamon sticks on top for decoration, don’t add them in until just before serving to prevent browning.
- Serve hot or cold. What I love about this Thanksgiving punch is that it can be served so many different ways! Whether it’s at room temperature over ice, chilled in the refrigerator ahead of time or warm in a crockpot, it tastes delicious each way. Just remember to stir it often in order to keep the flavors blended.
- Avoid watered down punch. When serving this punch cold, keep chilled right up until serving time then serve ice on the side in an ice bucket for guests to help themselves.
- Presentation. Consider serving this Thanksgiving punch in a fun punch bowl or beverage dispenser with festive serving cups and holiday-themed drink stirrers.
Can I Make This Punch Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can easily make it in advance 1 day ahead if desired. Prepare as directed, then store covered in the fridge until ready to serve the next day. Make sure to give it a big stir before serving so that the spices and flavors combine together again.
Finish off your Thanksgiving menu with a slice of homemade pumpkin pie or my favorite Dutch apple pie. Don’t forget whipped cream and vanilla ice cream!
More Holiday Drink Recipes
Browse all
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Thanksgiving Punch
Video
Ingredients
- 2 gallons apple cider (not spiced)
- 6-12 ounces caramel flavoring syrup (I like Torani), add more to taste
- 1-2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Optional: Cinnamon sticks, Sliced apple circles
Instructions
- Combine apple cider and caramel syrup. Pour apple cider (all but 1/4 of the 2 gallons) into a drink dispenser. Add 6-12 ounces of the caramel syrup.
- Add warm fall spice. Whisk in 1-2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice. Some of the spice may float to the top, but whisk again right before serving. Taste and add more pumpkin spice, if desired.
- Serve. Serve chilled, at room temperature, or warm. Stir occasionally to keep the flavors equally distributed. Add cinnamon sticks and sliced apples to the punch just before serving, if using.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
Definitely. If you have a smaller crowd, feel free to make a half batch. Simply use 1 gallon of apple cider, 2-4 ounces caramel syrup and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice. It will make about 16 servings.
Although we don’t drink alcohol, others have had success adding in spiced rum, caramel flavored vodka or cinnamon whiskey. I’d also not add it directly as some people prefer more or less, plus you don’t run the risk of someone drinking it who is not supposed to be drinking.
Yes, that is a great option! You can heat it up on the stove or in the crockpot. Sometimes we top it off with some ginger ale to add a little fizz to it when serving!
This Thanksgiving punch will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week.
Recipe contributed by Jessica from Fantabulosity.
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Beverages, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Kid-Friendly, Nut-Free, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Hi,
I’m fixing to make this for a fall wedding shower. Do you use the sugar free caramel or salted caramel flavoring?
Hi Rhonda! This will be perfect for a fall wedding shower :) I just use Torani’s caramel syrup flavoring, no sugar free. Enjoy!!
If using caramel vodka worid you still use the caramel sryup? Or would that be too sweet?
I haven’t ever tried that, but I don’t think you’d need it
This has become a staple for our fall pitch in dinners at work and Thanksgiving!
Sounds delicious 😋 I think adding some carmel vodka to make it an adult punch would make it even better!
Definitely agree!
How much caramel vodka would you add to this ?
Great recipe and easy to take on the road when traveling for the holiday. It looks very appealing in a beverage server or punch bowl too. Perfect for any family get together or church pot luck. Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s definitely a keeper!
All great ideas and ways to use this punch! I am so glad that you love it! Thanks for sharing!
So wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing
Glad you like it! Happy Thanksgiving :)
I made this recipe for my Daughter’s Baby Shower. It was so delicious! Everyone loved it. I put whole cranberries in it and cinnamon sticks for garnish and it looked so good. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Thanks for sharing, Melodie! Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
I am confused, the ingredients call for 6-12 oz of syrup but that’s a wide gap. I’d like to make it for the holidays.
The original recipe did call for more, but I typically start with 6 ounces and add more to taste.
Delicious! I’m making this again for our Thanksgiving gathering. The caramel syrup takes this cider, next level! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
You are so welcome! I agree, the caramel sauce does make it so tasty!
I wasn’t sure what to offer for drinks this year so I’m so glad I found this Thanksgiving punch. It’s going to be a hit at our family dinner.
So easy and delicious! Hope everyone enjoys :)