Description
A warm, cozy, and sophisticated 4-ingredient party drink perfect for game days. This easy-to-make punch combines apple cider, bourbon, brown sugar, and spices for a festive beverage that serves a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon (3.8 liters) 100% pure apple cider
- 1.5 to 2 cups (350-475ml) bourbon
- 1/2 cup (100g) dark brown sugar
- 4 large cinnamon sticks (or 2 teaspoons ground)
- 2 whole star anise
- 6–8 whole cloves
- 1 large orange, sliced into rounds
Instructions
- Slice the orange into rounds and prepare spices.
- Pour apple cider into a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
- Add brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and orange slices. Stir gently to dissolve sugar.
- Heat over medium-low to a gentle simmer. Do not boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Remove from heat and stir in the bourbon.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or spice levels if desired.
- Ladle into mugs and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Do not boil the cider as it can alter the flavor. For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the bourbon. The non-alcoholic base can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge. If using ground spices, strain the punch before serving.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz mug
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 22
- Carbohydrates: 24
Keywords: game day drink, bourbon punch, apple cider cocktail, warm party drink, easy cocktail, fall recipes, winter drinks