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The Best Fall Punch Cocktails for Big-Batch Entertaining



This fall, whether you’re snuggling up to a blazing fireplace or gathering around a punch bowl, the right drink sets the seasonal tone. These big-batch cocktail recipes bring together some of our favorite fall flavors. From a warming Irish whiskey punch to a fizzy, pear-spiked sparkler, tart cranberries and pomegranates mingle with baking spices and bright citrus. Low-alcohol and zero-proof punch options are included alongside large-format tequila, cognac, and whiskey recipes. 

Each of these 7 autumnal drinks can scale up easily, deliver visual drama, and suit a full spectrum of guests, tastes, and occasions. Punch up your festivities with these seasonal sippers.

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Gaelic Punch

Brie Goldman / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling by Sue Mitchell


This hot Irish punch, from renowned cocktail historian David Wondrich, puts Irish whiskey front and center. Rooted in classic punch traditions, this festive warmer features traditional layers of spirit, sugar, citrus, and warming spices. Choose a young Irish whiskey to keep tannins in check when heated, and pre-warm the serving bowl to maintain temperature.

Nonalcoholic Cranberry-Pomegranate Punch

Food & Wine / Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Christina Daley


Developed by cocktail and spirits writer M. Carrie Allan, this ruby-hued zero-proof punch balances tart juices of cranberry and pomegranate with a cardamom-cinnamon tea-infused simple syrup, topped with a non-alcoholic sparkling wine. For a spiked version, substitute a dry white sparkling wine like Prosecco or cava.

Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Punch with Toasted Spices

Photo by Greg DuPree / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

This low-alcohol punch leans on tart cranberry juice and spicy ginger ale for a big punch of flavor, allowing the booze to take a back seat. Frozen cranberries stand in for a traditional punch ring, keeping this fizzy drink nice and cold. Have an extra bottle of cold sparkling wine on hand for guests to top off their cups.

Sparkling Pear Punch

Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Christina Daley


This effervescent punch from James Beard Award–winning chef Mashama Bailey celebrates pears in five forms: pear brandy, pear nectar, spiced pear liqueur, hard pear cider, and fresh slices of the fruit. With a lemon-juice lift and bitters, it’s perfect for fall or winter entertaining. The base of this punch can be prepped a day in advance, and the sparkling cider can be added when making it in the moment.

Pomegranate-Tequila Punch

Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Risha Carnes


Bartender Kaitlyn Stewart created this punch that unites blanco tequila with pomegranate juice, ginger tea, maple syrup and fresh lime juice. It’s a slightly sweet-sour large-format cocktail with a warming edge (thanks to ginger tea) and can be batched up to three days ahead.

Anjou Punch

Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele


This festive punch from veteran bartender Leo Robitschek features Cognac, pear liqueur, cinnamon, citrus, and Champagne. The interplay of brandy and bubbly with orchard-fruit notes and warming cinnamon positions this as the ideal drink for festive fall-winter gatherings. This punch serves up to 12 people.

Cranberry Punch with Sumac

Chris Simpson / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Thom Driver


Chef Mashama Bailey also created this tangy, non-alcoholic punch. This large-format refresher is built around an oleo-saccharum of frozen cranberries, sugar, and tart sumac, combined with sparkling water. The oleo saccharum base, which is essentially a no-cook sugar syrup, preserves bright, seasonal fruit flavor.



Prairie Rose

2025-10-29 16:30:00