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Best Easy Crowd-Pleasing Friendsgiving Pumpkin Spice Punch Recipe

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This crowd-pleasing Friendsgiving pumpkin spice punch is sweet without being cloying, spiced without being heavy, and has a fizzy kick that makes people go back for seconds. It’s non-alcoholic by default, but can be spiked if desired.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 2 cups pumpkin puree (100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (light or dark)
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups ginger ale (or ginger beer for spicier kick)
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced into rounds
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Fuji)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • Fresh cranberries, a handful
  • Optional: 1 cup spiced rum or bourbon (for adult version)
  • For homemade pumpkin pie spice: 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

  1. Bloom the Spices: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 4 cups apple cider and 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice. Whisk and bring to a gentle simmer (tiny bubbles around edges, not a hard boil). Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Build the Pumpkin Base: Reduce heat to low. Whisk in 2 cups pumpkin puree until completely smooth. Add 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk until sugar dissolves, about 1-2 minutes. Mixture should be thick and glossy like thin pudding.
  3. Cool the Base: Remove saucepan from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes. (To speed up, set pan in a bowl of ice water and stir.)
  4. Assemble the Punch: Pour cooled pumpkin base into a punch bowl or slow cooker. Slowly pour in 4 cups ginger ale down the side to preserve carbonation. Stir gently with a ladle. If adding alcohol, stir in 1 cup spiced rum or bourbon now.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Float orange slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and fresh cranberries on top. If using an ice ring, carefully lower it into the punch. Serve immediately for cold version, or keep warm in a slow cooker on ‘warm’ setting. Ladle into cups.

Notes

Don’t skip the blooming step—it releases essential oils and deepens flavor. Make sure base is completely cooled before adding ginger ale to preserve fizz. Can prepare pumpkin base up to 2 days in advance. For a warm version, use a slow cooker on ‘warm’ setting. Leftover punch can be stored in fridge for up to 3 days; add fresh ginger ale before serving to revive fizz.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin spice punch, Friendsgiving punch, fall punch, non-alcoholic punch, pumpkin punch recipe, easy punch recipe, crowd-pleasing punch

Find it online: https://evabake.com/best-easy-crowd-pleasing-friendsgiving-pumpkin-spice-punch-recipe/