Apple Cider and Bourbon Punch

Name: Apple Cider and Bourbon Punch
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 14 6-ounce servings
Ingredients: 1 cup dark brown sugar; 2 cinnamon sticks, slightly bruised; 1/2 cup brown sugar and cinnamon syrup; 3 cups bourbon; 4 cups cold-pressed apple cider (nonalcoholic); 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice; 1/2 cup orange juice (fresh is best); 4 cups ice; 2 cups club soda, or to taste; 1 orange, cut into wheels, for garnish (optional); Nutmeg, to taste

By Rosie Schaap

Total Time: 15 minutes, plus chilling
Rating: 4(985)
Comments: Read comments

Apples and oranges! They’re often presented as exemplars of opposition, as though they have nothing in common. But both fruits make appearances on many Thanksgiving tables, with orange in some cranberry sauces and cornbread stuffings with apple, and they mingle beautifully in a mellow punch that gets its verve from bourbon and its depth from a brown sugar and cinnamon simple syrup. For extra apple flavor, try swapping an apple spirit, such as Applejack or Calvados, in for the bourbon. The leftover simple syrup is great in cocktails -- a festive Old Fashioned, for example -- and also on oatmeal and rice pudding.

or to save this recipe.
Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
Subscribe
Share
Print Options
Include recipe photo

Ingredients

Yield: 14 6-ounce servings

For the Syrup

1cup dark brown sugar
2cinnamon sticks, slightly bruised

For the Punch

½cup brown sugar and cinnamon syrup
3cups bourbon
4cups cold-pressed apple cider (nonalcoholic)
½cup fresh lemon juice
½cup orange juice (fresh is best)
4cups ice
2cups club soda, or to taste
1orange, cut into wheels, for garnish (optional)
Nutmeg, to taste

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

Step 1
Make the syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar and cinnamon sticks with 1 cup water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered until sugar has completely dissolved, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let syrup cool; discard cinnamon sticks. (Leftover syrup may be kept refrigerated for a week.)
Step 2
Combine syrup, bourbon, apple cider, lemon juice and orange juice in a pitcher. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
Step 3
Strain chilled punch into a punch bowl. Add 4 cups of ice and club soda. Garnish with orange wheels. Generously grate nutmeg on top. Serve over ice.

Ratings

4 out of 5

985 user ratings

Have you cooked this?

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Comments

alaskancook6 years ago

I added star anise, whole cloves, and strips of fresh orange peel to the syrup (and then glazed an apple spice cake with the leftover syrup- so good!). Made this twice and the 2nd time reduced the bourbon from 3 cups to 2; guests liked the weaker version better :)

A.5 years ago

I made this for ten people and reduced the bourbon to 2 cups as suggested in other comments. Some of us thought it was too sweet. I recommend you add the syrup a bit at a time and taste it as you go.

Ann5 years ago

I substituted ginger ale for the club soda and cinnamon syrup. Worked well!

vicki4 days ago

Sort of boring. Liked the cider/bourbon combination, but needed something.

Katrina5 months ago

Made this for our Conantum holiday party, with optional bourbon. The lemon and orange juice make this mulled cider much less cloying than the usual mulled cider. I used less (or almost no) sugar.

nonikate5 months ago

Pay no attention to those who say to use less bourbon. The recipe is perfect. I served it over ice by the glass with a splash of soda and it’s a hit. Not boozy at all. Just make it. FYI you can make a half batch of the syrup and it’s just enough. You’re welcome.

Private comments are only visible to you.