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!
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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.
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make punch recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
This was so simple and delicious! Thanks for the great recipe.
Glad you enjoyed it, Wendy :)
I plan to halve your recipe to serve at Thanksgiving this year. Not our usual crowd but we are blessed to have loved ones who can attend. Thank you!
I hope you enjoy it! Happy holidays! :)
Sounds yummy, but why are you promoting “crowds” right now during a pandemic where large gatherings are being discouraged? Seems you could have easily posted this recipe without mentioning “crowds” multiple times.
Hi Ceci! This post was a guest post from several years ago, just reposted for the holiday season.
So is Ceci short for Karen? Asking for a friend. It’s a recipe. A delicious recipe. The author is not responsible for what people do with it. That’s like saying a recipe serving 10-12 people is promoting. It’s a recipe, not directions for your life.
This is delicious and I cannot wait to make it again this year! Maybe this time there will be leftovers 😉
A year late but…. EXACTLY!
Is the caramel syrup like the ice cream syrup, or Torani’s flavored syrup? Is there a size? Thanks!
This recipe uses Torani’s flavored syrup. :)
This one is going to be regularly requested in our family!
Is there a way to make it a spiked punch? I love this recipe and think it would be great for a fall wedding cocktail hour.
Thank you in advance.
Hi! Some commenters below recommended adding a little spiced rum or caramel flavored vodka.
If I serve this hot do you recommend placing apples into the crock pot?
Hi Paris! The apples are optional, so I would probably leave them out.
I love this recipe!
Made this for Thanksgiving next week for 26 family members! Big hit!
Hope you enjoyed this punch! :)
I am planning to make this for Thanksgiving but am wondering if the sliced apples turn brown?
They shouldn’t if you make it that day! :)
Would adding cherries for the color mess it up?
I think that would work great! :)
If you add cinnamon red hots, you will not only get the color but the cinnamon flavor as well.
Great idea, thanks for sharing!
If I use Hershey’s caramel syrup will it mix properly?
It might not mix as well as the Torani syrup!
Does it have to be sugar free syrup or the regular?
No, the regular will work just as well! :)
Emily, did you try this with the Hershey’s Carmel syrup? I had the same thought. I have the Walmart brand, and it is pretty thin.
This sounds like a super fun recipe for Thanksgiving. I bet all the kids would love it. I like your awesome presentation as well :)
Thanks! Drinks are always the last thing I think about, so this is an easy and delicious drink!
What a fun idea! Never thought of serving a Thanksgiving punch…such a family friendly holiday treat. Just pinned…thanks for sharing with us! :)
Hope you enjoy! :)
Love this! I’m totally trying for thanksgiving with a second option with a little spiced rum in it for the grown-up kids;)
Great idea! Hope you enjoy! :)
I love spiced cider and always use the prepacked spice mix, but love the idea of making it myself – these flavors are the best!
Hope you enjoy! :)
This sounds delicious. And I love the way you have it displayed in the drink container. I have a similar container that I always fill with water and fresh, seasonal fruit when I entertain. I’ll have to try this punch next time!