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Caramel Apple Punch

Caramel Apple Punch is a chilled, caramel-cider drink made by dissolving caramel into apple cider, then finishing with ginger ale for lift and bubbles. It’s served in caramel-rimmed glasses with thin apple slices and cinnamon sticks for a festive look and cozy aroma.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 190
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Caramel Apple Punch
  • 64 fl oz apple cider Chilled
  • 0.5 cup caramel sauce Plus more for rimming glasses
  • 2 L ginger ale Chilled
  • 1 cup vanilla vodka Optional
  • 2 apples Thinly sliced
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • ice
  • coarse sugar For rimming glasses

Equipment

  • 1 punch bowl

Method
 

Make the caramel cider base
  1. Whisk caramel sauce into 2 cups of the apple cider until fully dissolved, using a steady motion to eliminate any streaks.
  2. Pour the caramel cider and the remaining apple cider into a punch bowl, then add vanilla vodka if using.
Add fruit and spices
  1. Add thinly sliced apples and cinnamon sticks to the punch bowl.
Rim the glasses
  1. Dip each glass rim in caramel, then into coarse sugar so the sugar adheres in an even ring.
Finish and serve
  1. Just before serving, pour in the ginger ale and add ice to keep the punch sparkling.
  2. Ladle the punch into the rimmed glasses and serve immediately.

Notes

For the best flavor, keep the cider and ginger ale chilled until the very last minute so the bubbles stay active. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 2 days; note that ginger ale will lose some sparkle over time. Freeze is not recommended because the apples and carbonation texture change. Dietary swap: use zero-proof vanilla vodka or omit vodka entirely for a non-alcoholic version.