This Jack Daniels Spiced Apple Punch recipe combines Tennessee whiskey, apple cider, cranberry, and warm baking spices in a party friendly bowl that tastes like a grown up apple cider. It is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any cold weather get together where you want a big batch whiskey punch that feels cozy but still easy to pour.
Jack Daniels Spiced Apple Punch
Ingredients
- 4 cups chilled apple cider
- 2 cups 100 percent cranberry juice
- 2 cups Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple or Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/3 cup simple syrup or maple syrup, to taste
- 1 to 2 cups ginger ale or ginger beer, added just before serving
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 to 6 orange slices
- 1 cup fresh cranberries for the bowl and garnish
- Ice, for serving in glasses
Instructions
- Build the punch base. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the apple cider, cranberry juice, Jack Daniel’s, lemon juice, and syrup. Stir until everything is blended and taste for sweetness. Add more syrup if you prefer a sweeter punch.
- Add spices and fruit. Drop in the cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and a handful of fresh cranberries. Stir again and let the punch sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the flavors marry.
- Chill before the party. Keep the punch covered and chilled until you are ready to serve. For larger events, we often mix the base several hours in advance so it is very cold.
- Finish with bubbles. Just before serving, gently pour in the ginger ale or ginger beer and give the punch a light stir so you keep the fizz.
- Serve over ice. Fill glasses with ice and ladle the Jack Daniels Spiced Apple Punch over the top. Garnish each glass with an orange slice and a few cranberries. Serve immediately.
Bartender notes
- Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple leans into the apple flavor and gives you a smoother, slightly sweeter punch. Old No. 7 works well if you want more classic whiskey notes.
- Always add the ginger ale or ginger beer at the very end. If you add it too early the bubbles flatten out before your guests arrive.
- For bigger parties, we often keep half of the punch base in the fridge and top off the bowl as needed. That keeps the flavor consistent and the punch cold.
- If you want a warmer version, gently heat the base on low in a slow cooker, then stir in Jack Daniel’s just before serving and skip the ginger ale.
How we serve this at events
We first served this Jack Daniels Spiced Apple Punch at a December holiday party where the host wanted a signature whiskey drink that guests could pour themselves. We loaded a glass dispenser with the punch base, added ginger beer as guests started to arrive, and kept a tray of orange slices and cinnamon sticks next to the dispenser. The punch disappeared fast and it became one of our most requested winter whiskey cocktails.
Variations
- Warm Spiced Apple Punch Heat the apple cider, cranberry juice, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices in a slow cooker on low for one to two hours. Just before serving, stir in Jack Daniel’s and a little maple syrup, then keep warm on low. Skip the ginger ale for this version.
- Jack Daniels Apple and Ginger Highball For single servings, fill a highball glass with ice, add 1 1/2 ounces Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple and 3 ounces apple cider, then top with ginger ale. Garnish with an apple slice. This is great when you do not need a full punch bowl.
- Spiced Apple Rum and Whiskey Punch Replace 1 cup of the Jack Daniel’s with 1 cup spiced rum. This gives the punch a deeper spice profile that works well for late night holiday parties.
- Non alcoholic spiced apple punch Leave out the whiskey and use extra apple cider plus a splash of vanilla to keep the flavor rich. Serve it in the same bowl with matching garnishes, and keep a bottle of Jack Daniel’s nearby so guests who drink can spike their own glass.
- Jack Daniels Winter Jack style punch If you have Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack, swap it for all or part of the whiskey in this recipe. It already has apple and spice built in, so you can reduce the syrup slightly.
Jack Daniels Spiced Apple Punch FAQs
Is Jack Daniels Apple a limited edition?
Jack Daniels Tennessee Apple originally launched as a limited flavored expression but it is now widely available in most markets. Availability can still vary by region, so if you cannot find the apple version, you can use Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 plus a little extra apple cider or a splash of apple liqueur in this punch.
What kind of alcohol is in Jack Daniels punch?
This Jack Daniels Spiced Apple Punch is made with real Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, either Tennessee Apple or Old No. 7. That is different from Jack Daniel’s Downhome Punch in bottles, which is a flavored malt beverage. Our version is a homemade whiskey punch you build with cider, cranberry, and spices.
Is Jack Daniels Winter Jack seasonal?
Jack Daniels Winter Jack is a seasonal blend of apple, spice, and Tennessee whiskey that usually appears in the colder months. If you see it in stores around the holidays it is an excellent shortcut in this recipe because it reinforces the apple and spice notes.
What mixes well with Jack Daniels Tennessee Apple?
Jack Daniels Tennessee Apple is great with ginger ale, ginger beer, apple cider, lemonade, or straight over ice. In this punch, apple cider and cranberry juice give you a sweet and tart base, while ginger ale adds fizz and spice. For simple highballs, we often mix Tennessee Apple with ginger ale and a squeeze of lemon.
Can I make Jack Daniels Spiced Apple Punch ahead of time?
Yes. Mix everything except the ginger ale or ginger beer up to 24 hours in advance and keep it chilled. Add the bubbles right before serving so the punch stays fizzy. If you are making a warm version, wait to add the whiskey until the cider base is hot but not boiling.
How strong is this Jack Daniels punch?
This recipe is designed to be party friendly, roughly similar in strength to a glass of wine when served over ice. You can make it stronger by adding more Jack Daniel’s or lighter by increasing the cider and cranberry juice. For mixed crowds, you can also serve a non alcoholic version next to the alcoholic punch.
Can I use regular whiskey instead of Jack Daniels?
Yes. Any smooth Tennessee whiskey or bourbon will work in this spiced apple punch. Jack Daniel’s adds its signature charcoal mellowed profile, which is what most guests recognize, but the recipe is flexible.
How do I turn this into a single serving cocktail?
For one drink, shake 2 ounces Jack Daniel’s, 3 ounces apple cider, 1 ounce cranberry juice, 1/2 ounce lemon juice, and 1/2 ounce simple syrup with ice. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks or highball glass, then top with a splash of ginger ale and garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.
What snacks pair well with Jack Daniels Spiced Apple Punch?
Sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, spiced nuts, sausage bites, and flatbreads with caramelized onions all work well with apple and whiskey flavors. For dessert, gingerbread cookies and apple pie echo the spiced apple notes in the punch.
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