Description

This Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler Punch is a festive, refreshing cocktail perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining a warming cranberry syrup with crisp cranberry juice, apple cider, bourbon, and a splash of orange liquor, it’s topped off with bubbly champagne and garnished with cinnamon, orange slices, and star anise for a charming presentation that’s both sweet and tangy.

Ingredients

Scale

Cranberry Syrup

1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cinnamon stick
Zest of 1 large orange
1/2 cup water

Punch

6 cups 100% cranberry juice or cranberry pomegranate juice
2 cups apple cider
8 ounces (1 cup) bourbon
3 ounces (1/3 cup) orange liquor
2 dashes orange bitters
4 cinnamon sticks
1–2 star anise (optional)
1 orange, sliced
1 bottle (750 ml) champagne

Garnish

Star anise, for garnish

Instructions

Make the Cranberry Syrup: In a medium pot, combine 1/2 cup water, maple syrup, brown sugar, fresh cranberries, and 1 cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Boil for about 5 minutes, or until the cranberries start to burst. Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest. If the syrup is too thick, add a little more water to thin it. Let the mixture cool. For a smoother syrup, strain out the cranberries if desired.
Prepare the Punch: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled cranberry syrup with the cranberry juice, apple cider, bourbon, orange liquor, and orange bitters. Stir gently until everything is well combined. Add the 4 cinnamon sticks and 1-2 star anise pods for additional flavor. Chill the punch until ready to serve.
Serve the Punch: Just before serving, fill a punch bowl with ice and pour in the chilled punch mixture. Slowly add the bottle of champagne, stirring gently. Add the sliced orange to the punch for color and flavor. Serve the punch in cocktail glasses filled with ice, pouring the mixture over. Optionally, garnish each glass with sugared cranberries or star anise for a festive touch.

Notes

For a non-alcoholic version, omit bourbon, orange liquor, and champagne. Substitute with sparkling water or soda.
Sugared cranberries can be made by tossing fresh cranberries in sugar to add an extra festive garnish.
Adjust sweetness by changing the amount of maple syrup or brown sugar in the syrup.
Make the cranberry syrup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The punch can be refrigerated for several hours but add champagne just before serving to keep it bubbly.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Beverage
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Thanksgiving punch, cranberry cocktail, holiday drinks, bourbon punch, festive cocktail