Getting in the Thanksgiving spirit with this Spiced Cranberry Punch. Homemade spiced cranberry jam with warming mulling spices, sweet honey, fresh citrus, and plenty of vodka. Mix everything together to create an easy, festive, pitcher style cocktail that’s simple to create, warming, and delicious. Added bonus? This easy punch is pretty enough to be the centerpiece of your holiday table and can be made ahead of time for stress-free holiday entertaining. It’s the perfect cocktail to serve this Thanksgiving…and even Christmas too!

Spiced Cranberry Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

And here we go! It’s finally time to share the first Thanksgiving cocktail of the holiday season. We’ve got only two Saturdays left before Thanksgiving and I have each day set with cocktails that I’m so excited to share. First, the Thanksgiving “party” punch.

I struggled with just what to call this pretty cocktail because I know many of us are not gathering for large Thanksgiving dinners this year. We’ve all said, it’s going to be a different holiday season. But that doesn’t mean our celebrations should be any less fun, even if they’re on the smaller side.

And let’s be real, no matter the size of your Thanksgiving gathering, everyone needs a good punch.

So whether you’re celebrating with a small group, or there’s just two of you…party punch is essential. And the leftovers are even better come black Friday.

Spiced Cranberry Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

Making this spiced cranberry punch is easy.

The key to this fun drink is the cranberry jam/syrup. It uses fresh fruit just like a jam would, but its consistency is much more syrup-like. It’s a bit of a cross between jam and syrup. Whatever you’d like to call it, it’s a delicious mix of sweet honey, fresh tart cranberries, spicy ginger, cinnamon, plus warming all-spice and cloves. The honey balances out the tart cranberries, while the mulling spices add coziness and warmth. Perfect for a Thanksgiving cocktail

To make the jam, just add all ingredients to a pot. Bring to a boil, boil a minute or two, and done. So simple and easy, but it’s the heart of this drink.

Spiced Cranberry Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

Once the jam has cooled, strain out the mulling spices and burst cranberries. You can either leave some of the burst cranberries swirled throughout the jam, or strain them all out. I like to leave some of the cranberries behind. I love the festive color they add to each drink.

Once the jam has been strained, add it to a large pitcher with cranberry juice, orange juice, and vodka. Chill until ready to serve, then simply top the punch off with sparkling water.

Couldn’t be easier. If you wanted to switch up the alcohol, a spiced rum would be especially delicious and fun too! In fact, I might make a rum version for my family, they’d love it!

Spiced Cranberry Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

Finish it up.

Just before serving, add fresh orange slices. I used blood oranges, but small clementines would be great, and really pretty too.

This cocktail is both refreshing and warming, perfect for a chilly November night, or a snow-filled Thanksgiving Day…which is exactly what I’m hoping for this year. Complete with freshly baked pies, candles, and family.

Already so excited!

Spiced Cranberry Punch | halfbakedharvest.com Spiced Cranberry Punch | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other Thanksgiving cocktails? Here are my favorites: 

Cranberry Bourbon Sour

Thanksgiving Sangria

Pumpkin Patch Punch

Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned

Lastly, if you make this Spiced Cranberry Punch, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Spiced Cranberry Punch | halfbakedharvest.com
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4.07 from 128 votes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

Spiced Cranberry Punch

This easy punch is pretty enough to be the centerpiece of your holiday table and can be made ahead of time..win-win!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 194 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup, using more or less to your taste
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
  • 8 all-spice berries
  • 5 cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 cups 100% cranberry or pomegranate juice
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 1/2-2 cups vodka
  • 4-6 (12 ounce) cans sparkling water
  • chai spice sugar or cinnamon sugar, for the rim (optional)
  • sliced oranges, mint, and star anise, for serving (optional)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. 1. In a pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the cranberries, honey, ginger, all-spice, cloves, and cinnamon sticks to a boil over high heat. Boil 5 minutes, until the cranberries begin to burst, then remove from the heat. Let cool. Remove the ginger slices, all-spice berries, and cloves. If desired, strain out the cranberries.

    2. In a large pitcher, combine the cranberry syrup, cranberry juice, orange juice, and vodka. Chill until ready to serve. 

    3. Just before serving, add the sparkling water. If desired, rim each class in Chai sugar (recipe in notes), then fill with ice and pour the punch over. Garnish each drink with an orange slice and star anise, if desired. 

Recipe Notes

Chai Sugar: In a shallow bowl, combine 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon all-spice, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, a tiny pinch of pepper, and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. 

Spiced Cranberry Punch | halfbakedharvest.com