Filled with sweetness, spice and everything nice, Apple Cider Punch is the perfect big batch drink for all things fall. From tailgates to Thanksgiving dinner, this rum sipper is sure to impress — make your own spiced rum to really level up.
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About this Apple Cider Punch recipe
Although the holidays don’t really start until later in the season, fall is full of opportunities to gather with friends and family. Whether it’s a tailgate before the big game or a harvest happy hour, it doesn’t take much to convince me to host something.
The other thing that helps? Easy, big batch drinks that satisfy a crowd. Big batch recipes are my secret weapon. Since they’re already made for a group, there is no need for any extra calculations and I’m not stuck behind the bar. Plus, you can often make them ahead of time to make things even easier.
And it truly doesn’t get easier than Apple Cider Punch. Two ingredients — apple cider and rum — and you’re ready to sit back, sip and watch the leaves change. Sure, you can get fancy and use homemade apple cider and homemade spiced rum, or you can pick up your favorites at the store and enjoy your drink in no-time.
More apple cider recipes: Apple Cider Sangria • Apple Cider Mojito • Mulled Apple Cider
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Since this drink is made to serve a crowd, it’s perfect for entertaining. You won’t have to spend the entire time mixing drinks, leaving more time to mingle.
- It’s full of fall flavor. Crisp apple cider and cozy spiced rum are a match made in heaven!
- You can serve it for any occasion. It’s just as at home at a laid back happy hour as it is at Thanksgiving dinner.
Tools & glassware
Much like the recipe, the list of tools you’ll need for this Apple Cider Punch is pretty short. You’ll want something to stir the batch with, like a bar spoon or even a wooden spoon, plus a pitcher for easy serving.
Glasses are up to you. Stemless wine glasses would work, but so would rocks glasses *. Embrace the spirit of the season with an embellished glass or even one that looks like a pumpkin. You could serve this in a pitcher, drink dispenser * or even a large punch bowl *, depending on what you think will be easiest for guests.
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Ingredients
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
The list is short for this drink:
- apple cider
- spiced rum
- fresh lemon juice
Seriously, that’s it! If you make your own apple cider, you’ll be able to make it as sweet or spicy as you want it (same goes for DIY spiced rum). If you’re in a pinch you can grab the ingredients at the store and you’ll be ready to sip in no time. In terms of garnishes, apple slices and cinnamon sticks will help clue people into the flavors they can expect and fit with the fall feel.
Substitutions & variations
Apple cider alternative: Apple juice will work in place of apple cider. My favorite brand is Martinelli’s (use their sparkling cider to add some bubbles), or you could juice your own apples with an apple juicer.
Non-alcoholic version: Make this into a mocktail that everyone can enjoy by opting for a zero-proof spiced rum. You can add some cinnamon simple syrup to add back in some of the spice that spiced rum offers. You can also try our apple cider mocktail!
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Best rum for Apple Cider Punch
Spiced rum adds a cozy warmth thanks to the layers of flavor it contains. The best rum for you is going to depend on your taste preferences. I always recommend that you to buy the best alcohol you can afford; if you have a bit of cash to spare, a mid-shelf rum is the best bang for your buck. There are lots of brands out there, but Captain Morgan, Bacardi and Kraken all have decent spiced rums.
But if you have the time, try infusing your own at home. It’s even better because you have control over the final product. Tweak it until you find the perfect blend for your taste buds!
If you don’t have time to make spiced rum, or want something that’s already on your bar cart *, gold or silver rum would work. It will give you a lighter, less spiced drink which some people may find preferable. Aged rum will lend its rich caramel flavor to your punch, giving you a lovely depth of flavor. You can sweeten any of these with chai syrup or cinnamon vanilla syrup to add the spiced flavors.
Instructions
When a drink has a short list of ingredients, I’ve often found that the instructions are short and sweet too. It’s certainly true of this drink!
Take your apple cider and spiced rum and measure them into a half-gallon pitcher or drink dispenser *. Give it a stir to combine and you’re ready to enjoy
Tips & tricks
- Don’t add ice to a big batch drink. Instead, leave out an ice bucket * or put the ice in each glass to prevent your cocktail from getting watered down.
- Make your punch ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. This makes hosting much easier!
- If you don’t have time to make spiced rum, you can opt for whichever rum you have on-hand.
Food pairings
Puff pastry makes the perfect crowd-pleasing snack for any occasion. You can serve pizza pinwheels for a laid-back gathering or elevate things with pinwheels featuring basil, Parmesan and sun dried tomatoes.
Charcuterie cups are perfect for low-key snacking. Since they’re portable, you can serve them anywhere, even if there isn’t a lot of seating. They’d be perfect for tailgates or pumpkin picking.
As a sweet treat, play into the apple flavor with something like caramel apple pie. Drizzled with a caramel sauce, this decadent dessert is hard to beat!
FAQ
While spiced rum adds pleasantly cozy flavors to your punch, you can use gold, silver or aged rum instead. Expect the end result to taste a bit different depending on what you use.
Yes! Big batch drinks make hosting simple; mix this up ahead of time (just don’t add ice) and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
More fall punch recipes
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Spiced Apple Cider Punch
ingredients
Homemade Spiced Rum
- 3 inch ginger root diced
- 1 whole star anise
- 3 whole black peppercorns
- 3 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups light rum
Apple Cider Punch
- 2 cups spiced rum
- 5½ cups apple cider
- ½ cup lemon juice
instructions
- Fill a 16-ounce mason jar with ginger root, star anise, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon stick and vanilla extract *. Fill jar with rum. Cover and let infuse for at least 24 hours.
- Strain rum through a fine meshed strainer into a bowl. Decant back into jar and replace lid. Spiced rum will keep indefinitely.
- In a half-gallon pitcher, combine spiced rum, apple cider and lemon juice. Stir. Serve on the rocks.
notes
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