Cranberry Cider Punch

By Janet-2

Ingredients

• autumn simple syrup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise
• a few slices of orange rind
• bursting cranberries
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/3 cup water
• punch
• 1 1/2 cups apple cider
• 3/4 cups cranberry juice
• 2/3 cup ginger beer
• 1/3 cup autumn simple syrup

Details

Adapted from howsweeteats.com

Preparation

Step 1

autumn simple syrup
Combine all ingredients together in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. You can store this in the fridge for a few days - I keep the spices and rind in the syrup for flavor, but remove right before using.

bursting cranberries
Add the cranberries and water to a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the water is simmering and the cranberries are busting, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Use the cranberries in the punch and as garnish in the glasses.

punch
Stir the ingredients together gently (the ginger beer will make it fizz!) and taste. All ginger beers can be different, so you may want to add more simple syrup or cider if yours is super spicy. You can also use ginger ale, but in that case you may want LESS simple syrup than what is called for. Serve the punch over crushed ice (this is important!) and garnish with the bursting cranberries.