Thanksgiving Punch With Rum

A Thanksgiving punch is a great way to greet your guests and get everyone feeling spirited and bright. This punch recipe is made with rum, letting the additional flavors of honey, cinnamon, cranberry juice, and ginger beer really shine. The final drink is bubbly and bright and not at all heavy, leaving plenty of appetite for the big Thanksgiving feast.

When the holidays come around, there's nothing more essential than a good punch recipe for serving at all the big meals and parties that you're sure to attend (and host). A rum punch is a classic because it's a crowd-pleaser, and this one is easy to make with all the classic fall flavors you'll want.

Here, get the recipe for a refreshing Thanksgiving punch. Plus, find out how to make it in advance if you need to get ahead for the meal.

Thanksgiving Punch: A Fantastic Start to the Holiday Feast

Lots of spirit: This Thanksgiving punch recipe, made with rum, is strong without tasting like it, an important element for getting any party started, or taking the edge off the stress of a family gathering.

Celebratory drink: We like a rum punch for Thanksgiving because it's a little more unexpected than, say, a bourbon punch which feels a little obvious in the autumn. Rum is more celebratory and special, and it also gives you the opportunity to serve a little after dinner bourbon as a digestive, if you want.

Great for a crowd: But the best thing about rum punch, or really any punch, is that it can be batched and served out of a punch bowl or pitcher, which means you don't have to stir up cocktails for every guest. Instead, they can pour their own beverages, making it easier for you to relax and enjoy your own gathering.

Ingredients for Thanksgiving Punch

This version of Thanksgiving punch calls for several fall-inspired ingredients to that the final drink is not only gorgeous, it's refreshing and invigorating, too.

• Honey: This provides sweetness with floral notes, giving this punch a sophisticated flavor.
• Cloves and cinnamon sticks: These spices lend plenty of cozy flavor to the punch.
• Apple cider: What fall drink is complete without apple cider? Pick your favorite at the store or make your own.
• Cranberry juice: This juice provides a gorgeous color and a tang of cranberry.
• Spiced rum: Use your favorite. As a variation, you can use white rum for a bit less spice flavor.
• Ginger beer: This adds zip and bite to the punch.
• Fruit slices: As a garnish, apple and orange slices are beautiful.
• Rosemary: A final sprig of this herb is beautiful and adds a slight woodsy flavor to the drink.

How To Make Thanksgiving Punch

Like any good cocktail, making rum punch is all about balancing flavors. The full recipe for this punch is below with step-by-step images, but here's a brief outline before you get started.

• Step 1. This recipes starts with an apple cider simple syrup made with honey, cloves, and cinnamon. Steep until well infused, then remove the cloves and cinnamon sticks. Let cool slightly.
• Step 2. Once infused, cooled, and strained, that syrup is mixed with cranberry juice, spiced rum, more apple cider, and ginger beer.
• Step 3. We like to serve this drink in a punch bowl, with big squares of ice and plenty of sliced apples and citrus for garnish.

Can I Make Thanksgiving Punch Ahead of Time?

One of the best things about any punch is that they're easy to prep ahead. For this punch, combine all the ingredients except the ginger beer in an airtight container up to two days before your event. When you're ready to serve, simply transfer the mixture to a punch bowl or large pitcher, add the ginger beer and garnishes.

How To Serve Rum Punch

Any punch is great for serving in a big punch bowl, but you don't need to have a fancy, crystal-cut bowl and ladle to create a lovely serving experience. Any nice-looking bowl will do, as will a generous pitcher.

To bring the punch to the next level, make an ice ring by freezing water in a Bundt pan with fruit slices and whole cranberries.

Editorial contributions by Maddy Sweitzer-Lamme.