Apple Cider Punch
Nothing says cozy like a glass of Apple Cider Punch. Tart lemonade, sweet apple cider, and juicy orange juice, all topped with spicy cinnamon and fragrant rosemary. It’s going to be the star of your fall gatherings and parties.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super quick prep: You get a beautiful, crowd‑pleasing punch in only 5 minutes.
- Vibrant mix of flavors: Sweet, tart, citrusy, herbal, spiced, so many layers in every sip.
- Minimal ingredients: Just a handful of fruits and herbs, plus things you probably already have.
- Visually stunning: Floating apples, orange slices, rosemary and cinnamon sticks make it a showpiece.
Ingredients
You will need these ingredients to help you make this punch with apple cider. Pick them up on your next trip to the grocery store, so that you can celebrate fall with this refreshing drink.
- Sparkling apple cider – Use a good quality bubbly cider for that refreshing effervescence.
- Lemonade – Adds tartness and balances the sweetness. If homemade lemonade is available, even better!
- Orange juice – Fresh‑squeezed or high quality bottled works fine; gives a citrus punch.
- Apples – Core and slice. Choose a crisp variety (like Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji) for good texture and flavor.
- Orange – Sliced; provides citrusy aroma and color.
- Cinnamon sticks – Adds warm spice and looks pretty in the drink.
- Rosemary sprigs – Add a small amount of herby flavor and a beautiful touch.
- Extras for garnish (optional) – Additional apple and orange slices, extra cinnamon sticks, extra rosemary sprigs.
Variations
- Make it sparkling wine‑friendly – Replace sparkling apple cider with prosecco or champagne (for adults) for a boozy twist.
- Herbal swap – Use thyme instead of rosemary for a more subtle herb note.
- Spice it up – Add a slice of fresh ginger or a few cloves for extra warmth.
- Make it kid‑friendly – Use all non‑alcoholic ingredients (cider & soda) and omit anything strong.
- Autumn seasonal fruit – Add pears or pomegranate seeds when available for extra texture & flavor.
Instructions
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this autumn harvest punch recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a large pitcher, place the cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs.
- Drop the orange slices and apple slices into the pitcher.
- Add the sparkling apple cider, lemonade, and orange juice.
- Gently stir to combine flavors. Garnish individual glasses with extra apple slice, orange slice, a cinnamon stick, or a sprig of rosemary if you like.
Wendys Tips
- Use chilled ingredients (cider, juice, lemonade) so the punch stays cold without diluting with extra ice.
- Slice fruit just before serving to keep it looking fresh and prevent browning.
- If you want the rosemary flavor more pronounced, gently bruise the sprigs before adding to the pitcher.
- For a more pungent spice aroma, warm the cinnamon sticks briefly (not boiling) before adding.
FAQ
Do you have questions about this harvest punch recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Yes, prep the fruit and aromatics ahead, refrigerate. Add the sparkling cider at the last minute so you don’t lose the bubbles
They can. To slow browning, toss apple slices with a little lemon juice before adding. Or slice only just before serving.
Sure, just use lemon‑lime soda, lemon sparkling water with a bit of sugar, or lemon cordial can work in place of lemonade, depending on the desired sweetness.
Apple Cider Punch
Equipment
- large pitcher or punch bowl
- knife and cutting board
- Wooden Spoon
- serving glasses
Ingredients
- 5 cups sparkling apple cider
- 1 cup lemonade
- 1 ½ cups orange juice
- 3 apples
- 1 orange
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
- **Additional apples oranges, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary for garnishing individual drinks, if desired.
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, add the cinnamon sticks and rosemary.
- Slice the orange, and add that.
- Core and slice the apples, add those.
- Pour in the sparkling apple cider, the lemonade, and the orange juice.
- Stir to combine.
Notes
- Make sure your cider, juice, and lemonade are well chilled before mixing. That way, the punch stays refreshingly cold without needing to load it up with extra ice that waters things down.
- Slice the fruit right before serving. It keeps the colors bright and fresh while helping prevent any browning.
- If you’d like the rosemary flavor to really shine, give the sprigs a gentle bruise before dropping them into the pitcher. That tiny bit of pressure helps release their natural oils.
- For a stronger spice aroma, warm the cinnamon sticks just slightly before adding them. Don’t boil them, heat enough to coax out their scent without actually cooking them.
Disclaimer:
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
