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Spiced Pear & Cranberry Vodka Punch

There is something about making a big fall cocktail that immediately makes the house feel ready for a get-together. I love all the cozy flavors this time of year, and I’m always switching between recipes like my Fall Pear Vodka Punch, Pumpkin Chai Punch, and Fall Apple Cider Sangria when I’m entertaining. This Spiced Pear & Cranberry Vodka Punch has quickly become another one of those recipes I want to make all season long.

It’s fruity, slightly tart, just sweet enough, and filled with those warm fall flavors without being overly heavy. The pear nectar and cranberry are such a good combination, while apple cider, maple syrup, and cinnamon give it that cozy fall flavor I was looking for.

Why I Love This Fall Vodka Punch

Besides how pretty it looks in a drink dispenser, I love that this is one of those cocktails you can mostly prepare ahead of time. When I’m having people over, the last thing I want to do is stand in the kitchen making individual drinks all night.

You can mix the base ahead of time, refrigerate it, and then finish it with ginger ale and garnishes right before everyone arrives.

And if I’m making a fall spread to go along with it, I love serving a cozy appetizer or dinner like my Creamy Roasted Tuscan Soup. A warm comfort-food recipe with a cold fall punch is such a good combination for an easy night with friends.

Spiced Pear & Cranberry Vodka Punch Ingredients

Makes approximately 10 servings

• 2 cups vodka
• 3 cups pear nectar
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 1 ½ cups apple cider
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups ginger ale
• Fresh pear slices
• Fresh cranberries
• Cinnamon sticks
• Ice

How to Make Spiced Pear & Cranberry Vodka Punch

Add the vodka, pear nectar, cranberry juice, apple cider, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon to a large pitcher or drink dispenser.

Give everything a really good stir so the maple syrup and cinnamon are incorporated throughout the punch.

Place it in the refrigerator and let it chill until you’re ready to serve. I actually like giving it a little time in the refrigerator because all of those fall flavors have a chance to come together.

Right before serving, add plenty of ice and pour in the chilled ginger ale. Add sliced pears, fresh cranberries, and a few cinnamon sticks to make the whole dispenser look extra festive.

Make It Ahead for a Fall Party

This is a great make-ahead fall cocktail. Mix everything except the ginger ale, ice, and fresh garnishes and keep it refrigerated. When your guests arrive, add the ginger ale and ice and you’re done.

I also like putting a few extra pear slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks around the drink dispenser. It makes such an easy setup look really pretty without having to do much decorating.

If you’re having a smaller night at home and don’t need an entire batch, try my Caramel Apple Cider Martini instead. It has that same cozy fall feeling but is perfect when you just want to shake up one cocktail.

The Perfect Fall Vodka Punch for a Crowd

This Spiced Pear & Cranberry Vodka Punch is exactly the kind of drink I love making from September straight through Thanksgiving. The pear keeps it a little different from a traditional cranberry punch, while the apple cider, maple, and cinnamon bring in all those classic fall flavors.

It’s easy, beautiful in a big drink dispenser, and—most importantly—you can make most of it before anyone even walks through the door. That’s my kind of entertaining.