It’s apple picking season in Arkansas, one of my favorite times of the year.
I’ve written before about Arkansas’s apple season and especially about our famous Arkansas Black variety which was first developed around Bentonville in the northwest corner of the state. Ya’ know, home of WalMart.
But, y’all. While it may be Fall, it’s still too dang hot for that hot cider that we all love so much. That’s why you’ll want to make up a batch of this Cool and Crisp Apple Cider Punch for your Fall gatherings. It’s easy to make ahead to the point of adding the ginger ale at serving.
If you’d like a little libation in your punch, replace the ginger ale with champagne or sparkling wine.
When I served this last week at a retirement event, it was very well received and all gone! I think that’s a pretty good recommendation, don’t you?
Cool and Crisp Apple Cider Punch
Notes
Use the frozen fruit slices and grapes in place of ice. This helps to chill the punch but does not dilute the flavor. Adding a few pieces to the individual glasses makes for a nice presentation.
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 cups white grape juice
- 6 cups apple cider
- 8 cups ginger ale (diet is fine)
- 3 lemons, sliced
- Optional: frozen grapes, apple slices and lemon slices
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat water and sugar until sugar is dissolved, creating a simple syrup.
- Remove from heat after the sugar is thoroughly dissolved. Refrigerate until cold.
- Add white grape juice, apple cider and lemons.
- Refrigerate until cold adding ginger ale at serving.
Frozen Fruit
- Slice 1 green and 1 red apple into slices. Lay in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze.
- Slice 1-2 lemons thinly. Lay in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze.
- Freeze white grapes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
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