Sparkling Cranberry Apple Cider Punch

source	Mel's Kitchen
categories	beverage
yield	2 quarts
prep time
total time

INGREDIENTS

1 cup fresh cranberries

1/3 cup water

½ cup granulated sugar

4 cup apple cider (see note above), chilled

2 cup ginger ale, chilled

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 cup cranberry juice, chilled

Crushed ice

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries and water and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the cranberries pop and split.

2. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar.

3. Let cool to room temperature (or chill in the refrigerator).

4. In a 2-quart pitcher, pour in the cranberry mixture.

5. Add the apple cider, ginger ale, lemon juice and cranberry juice.

6. Mix.

7. Serve in cups with crushed ice.

NOTES

The flavor of this punch is best using apple cider that is fresh-pressed, meaning, not the kind that is clear like apple juice - it should look slightly cloudy (but you could use the kind in the juice aisle in a pinch). Also if you can't find 100% cranberry juice, you can try using a blend but you might want to cut down on the sugar in the recipe. I like to use Vernor's ginger ale, it's less sweet and just a bit more spunky in flavor. If you want to make some of this ahead of time, combine everything but the ginger ale in the pitcher and refrigerate for several hours. Add the chilled ginger ale when ready to serve.

NUTRITION