Spiced Winter Apple Cider Punch

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A warm, aromatic punch with cinnamon and cloves, ideal for chilly evenings or holiday gatherings. This recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, brings together apple cider, orange juice, cinnamon sticks for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 8, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 8 Cocktails cuisine 150 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups apple cider, 2 cups orange juice, 2 cinnamon sticks, 10 whole cloves, and 2 tbsp brown sugar; bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat while stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the spices to infuse into the liquid without boiling.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large punch bowl, pressing the spices against the sieve to extract all flavor.
  4. Step 4: Discard the solids and cover the bowl, refrigerating for 2 hours until completely cold.
  5. Step 5: Just before serving, add 4 cups ice and garnish with 4 orange slices and 4 apple slices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Winter Apple Cider Punch take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Spiced Winter Apple Cider Punch?

Refrigerate any leftover spiced winter apple cider punch in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Winter Apple Cider Punch?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Winter Apple Cider Punch for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spiced Winter Apple Cider Punch?

Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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