Mulled Autumn Harvest Punch

The second the temperature dropped below 60 degrees, my grandma had something simmering on the stove. Every single time.

I can still picture her kitchen perfectly, with the Delft tiles on the walls and a pot going on the back burner. She could open a fridge that looked completely empty and somehow pull out an amazing meal. I still don’t know how she did it. It was basically magic.

What I remember most, though, is how it felt to walk into her house. It was warm and it smelled incredible. There was always something good to eat, and there was always room for one more person at the table.

The older I get, the more I realize I’ve been trying to recreate that feeling in my own home this whole time. I literally made Delft tiles for my kitchen. Apparently becoming my grandmother is the goal, and I’m totally fine with that.

This punch makes me think of her. You throw fruit and spices in a pot, let it simmer, and your whole house smells amazing before anyone even walks in the door.

It’s warm and fruity and full of spice, with a little fizz on top. It looks gorgeous in a giant punch bowl, so it’s perfect for a fall party or Thanksgiving.

If my house smells even a little like Grandma’s did, I must be doing something right!

Mulled Autumn Harvest Punch

A Few Things

This one is caffeine-free and alcohol-free, just like every drink in this series.

If you’re feeding a crowd, make the mulled part ahead of time. Wait to add anything sparkling until right before you serve it, or you’ll lose all your bubbles.

Add your fresh fruit, cinnamon sticks, or whatever garnish you like right before it goes on the table. Then pour the whole thing into the biggest punch bowl you’ve got.

Then invite some people over. That’s really the whole point.

Maybe someday somebody will walk into my house, smell something on the stove, and feel exactly how I felt walking into hers.

Mulled Autumn Harvest Sparkling Punch

A chilled, sparkling fall punch made with a homemade Mulled Harvest Base of apple cider, cranberry juice, citrus, and warming spices, then poured over ice with ginger ale.

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Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups apple cider
• 1½ cups 100% cranberry juice
• 1 orange thinly sliced into rounds
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 6–10 whole cloves
• 3 whole star anise
• ½ teaspoon whole anise seed
• 2 tablespoons pear syrup such as Monin
• 2 tablespoons maple spice syrup such as Monin, or 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

For Serving

• Ice
• Ginger ale

Method

 

1. Make the Mulled Harvest Base. Add the apple cider, cranberry juice, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and anise seed to a saucepan.
2. Mull the spices. Bring to a gentle simmer and simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the citrus and spices to infuse the cider and cranberry juice.
3. Strain. Remove from the heat and strain out the orange slices and whole spices.
4. Add the pear and maple. While the Mulled Harvest Base is still warm, stir in the pear syrup and maple spice syrup (or pure maple syrup) until combined.
5. Cool. Allow the Mulled Harvest Base to cool before assembling the punch. Chill it in the refrigerator if you’re making it ahead.
6. Build each drink. Fill a glass with ice. Pour in equal parts Mulled Harvest Base and ginger ale.
7. Serve. Give it a gentle stir and serve immediately while cold and bubbly.