Description
A refreshing and festive Pomegranate Cider Punch combining the tartness of pomegranate with the warmth of autumn spices, perfect for gatherings and holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Punch Ingredients
- 3 cups apple cider
- 3 cups sparkling pomegranate Italian soda
- 1 cup ginger ale or ginger beer (for a slight toastiness)
- 1 cup seltzer (plain or flavored of your choice)
- 1/2 cup autumn simple syrup (see recipe below)
- 2 to 3 apples, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
- 3 to 4 cinnamon sticks plus extra for garnish
- Cinnamon sugar (for rimming glasses)
Autumn Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- A few slices of orange rind
Instructions
- Make the Autumn Simple Syrup: Combine the brown sugar, water, freshly grated nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and orange rind in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved completely. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes for the flavors to infuse. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool completely. Store in the refrigerator if not using immediately, keeping the spices and rind in for maximum flavor, removing them just before use.
- Prepare the Punch: In a large serving bowl or punch bowl, gently stir together the apple cider, sparkling pomegranate Italian soda, ginger ale or ginger beer, seltzer, and 1/2 cup of the prepared autumn simple syrup. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more simple syrup or cider if needed, especially noting the variation in ginger beer spice levels.
- Prepare Glasses: On a small plate, mix about 1/3 cup sugar with approximately 1 teaspoon cinnamon to create a cinnamon sugar rim. Run a wedge of orange or lime along the rim of each glass and dip it into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat.
- Serve: Fill each cinnamon sugar-rimmed glass with crushed ice—this keeps the punch perfectly chilled without diluting the flavors. Pour the punch over the ice, and garnish each glass with extra pomegranate arils and a cinnamon stick for a festive presentation.
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness of the punch to your preference, especially based on the type of ginger ale or ginger beer used.
- Using crushed ice is essential to keep the punch cold and flavorful without watering it down.
- The autumn simple syrup can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
- Remove the whole spices from the syrup before mixing into the punch to avoid overpowering flavors in the drink.
- For a non-alcoholic version, all listed ingredients are suitable; for an adult version, you can consider adding a spirit like bourbon or spiced rum.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (8 fl oz)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
