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Sparkling Pumpkin Apple Punch

There’s something about fall that makes me want to turn every gathering into an excuse for a big, pretty drink dispenser filled with a seasonal cocktail. And this Sparkling Pumpkin Apple Punch is exactly the kind of recipe I love making this time of year.

It has that classic apple cider flavor we all love in the fall, but the Pumpkin Spice Syrup gives it an extra layer of pumpkin, cinnamon and warm spice without making the drink heavy or overly sweet. Then everything gets finished with bubbles, which makes it feel a little more festive.

If you love apple cider cocktails, make sure you also save my Easy Fall Apple Cider Punch Recipe. And if you’re craving something a little richer and creamier, my Caramel Pumpkin RumChata Punch is another really good one for fall entertaining.

An Easy Fall Punch for a Crowd

One thing I’ve learned from making so many cocktails for parties is that a good batched recipe makes entertaining SO much easier.

I would much rather make one beautiful drink ahead of time than spend the entire night shaking individual cocktails while everyone else is having fun.

That’s exactly why I love this pumpkin apple punch.

You can mix most of it together before your guests arrive, keep it nice and cold, and then add the sparkling ingredients right before serving. It takes just a few minutes, but it looks like you put a lot more effort into it.

And honestly, those are always my favorite recipes.

Pumpkin and Apple Are So Good Together

Apple cider is obviously one of those flavors that immediately feels like fall, but adding pumpkin spice to it makes it even better.

Instead of adding pumpkin purée and making the punch thick, I use Pumpkin Spice Syrup. You still get that pumpkin spice flavor, but the punch stays light, smooth and refreshing.

That’s especially important here because I wanted this cocktail to be sparkling rather than creamy.

The pumpkin spice syrup adds just enough cozy flavor to make this different from a traditional apple cider punch while still allowing the apple to really come through.

Perfect for Fall Parties, Thanksgiving and Halloween

This is one of those cocktails that could honestly work throughout the entire fall season.

Make it for a September or October dinner party, serve it at a Halloween party, bring it out for Friendsgiving, or make a big batch for Thanksgiving.

It would also be such a pretty signature cocktail for a fall bridal shower or girls’ night.

I love serving fall punches like this in a large clear glass dispenser because you can add fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks and let all of those gorgeous fall colors show through.

For another pumpkin drink that’s perfect for entertaining, try my Creamy Pumpkin Chai Latte Punch. It’s completely different from this sparkling version but has those same cozy pumpkin flavors.

Make It Ahead of Time

You can absolutely prep this punch ahead of time, but there is one little trick: wait to add anything sparkling until you’re ready to serve it.

Mix together the apple cider, vodka, pumpkin spice syrup and lemon juice earlier in the day and keep everything refrigerated.

When your guests arrive, add the chilled Prosecco and ginger ale and give it a gentle stir.

That way you get all those pretty bubbles instead of ending up with a flat punch.

You can also slice your apples ahead of time. A little fresh lemon juice tossed with the apple slices will help prevent them from browning.

Serving Your Sparkling Pumpkin Apple Punch

For presentation, add thinly sliced apples and a few cinnamon sticks to the drink dispenser.

I like serving it over ice rather than loading the dispenser with ice because the punch won’t become watered down as it sits.

For individual glasses, garnish with a fresh apple slice and cinnamon stick. You could even do a cinnamon-sugar rim if you want to make it a little extra for Thanksgiving or a fall party.

It’s crisp, bubbly, lightly spiced and just sweet enough — basically everything I want a fall cocktail to be.

And because it’s so easy to make for a crowd, this is definitely one I’ll be keeping in rotation all season long.