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Caramel Apple Punch

Caramel apple punch is a chilled golden sparkling drink made by dissolving caramel into apple cider, then topping with ginger ale for a fizzy finish. Expect tender apple slices floating through a lightly caramel-sweet punch with cinnamon sticks and caramel-rimmed glasses.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Caramel apple punch base
  • 64 oz apple cider chilled
  • 0.5 cup caramel sauce plus more for rimming glasses
  • 2 liter ginger ale chilled
  • 1 cup vanilla vodka optional
  • 2 apples thinly sliced
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 ice
  • 1 coarse sugar for rimming glasses

Method
 

Dissolve caramel into cider
  1. Whisk caramel sauce into 2 cups of the apple cider until fully dissolved, using a smooth, streak-free look as your visual cue.
Build the punch bowl
  1. Pour the caramel cider and remaining apple cider into a punch bowl, adding vanilla vodka if using, then pause once everything is evenly combined.
  2. Add apple slices and cinnamon sticks to the bowl so they float for a layered, spiced look.
Rim glasses
  1. Dip glass rims in caramel, then in coarse sugar, watching for visible sugar crystals to cling evenly around the edge.
Finish and serve
  1. Just before serving, pour in the ginger ale and add ice, then watch for immediate carbonation bubbles across the surface.
  2. Ladle into the rimmed glasses so each serving includes apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

Notes

Pro tip: keep all liquids chilled and add ginger ale plus ice right before serving so the punch stays sparkling. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 1 day (ginger ale will lose fizz). Freezing isn’t recommended because carbonation and apple texture change. For a non-alcoholic swap, skip the vanilla vodka and add a little extra cider or a splash more ginger ale to taste.