Pumpkin Sangria & Hocus Pocus Punch

Festive Pumpkin Sangria & Hocus Pocus Punch – Kid-Friendly Fall Drinks Everyone Will Love

When autumn arrives, the air feels crisp, the leaves turn golden, and cozy flavors fill the kitchen. This is the perfect time to whip up something festive for your family gatherings, Halloween parties, or weekend dinners. My Pumpkin Sangria and Hocus Pocus Punch are two refreshing, kid-friendly drinks that capture the spirit of fall without a drop of alcohol.
Inspired by seasonal produce and warm spices, these easy homemade drinks bring together pumpkin, apple, and citrus flavors for a fun, colorful twist on classic fall beverages. They’re beautiful to serve, simple to make, and guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults!

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Sangria (Serves 6–8):

3 cups apple cider (chilled)
1 cup pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
2 cups sparkling white grape juice
½ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
1 apple, thinly sliced
orange, thinly sliced
cup club soda (optional, for extra fizz)
Ice cubes for serving

For the Hocus Pocus Punch (Serves 6–8):

4 cups cranberry juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup sparkling water or lemon-lime soda
orange, sliced into rounds
cup fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
2 tbsp lemon juice
Ice cubes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pumpkin Sangria

In a large pitcher, whisk together the pumpkin puree, apple cider, orange juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
Add the sliced apple and orange to the mixture, stirring gently to combine.
Pour in the sparkling white grape juice and stir lightly to blend the flavors.
Chill the sangria for at least 1–2 hours before serving to allow the fruits and spices to infuse.
Just before serving, top with club soda for a refreshing fizz.
Serve over ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick or a slice of apple.

Hocus Pocus Punch

In a large punch bowl or pitcher, mix together cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and lemon juice.
Add the sliced orange and berries to give the punch a fun, colorful look.
Chill for 1 hour before serving to enhance the fruity flavor.
Before serving, pour in the sparkling water or lemon-lime soda for bubbles.
Add ice and ladle into glasses for a spooky, kid-friendly treat.

Tips & Variations

Add a creamy twist: For a richer version of the Pumpkin Sangria, blend in ½ cup of vanilla yogurt before chilling.
Make it sparkling: Use sparkling apple cider or flavored sparkling water for extra effervescence in both drinks.
Fruit swaps: Try pears instead of apples in the sangria, or swap pineapple juice for mango juice in the punch for a tropical twist.
Decorative touches: Freeze fruit slices in ice cube trays for fun, colorful cubes that won’t water down the drink.
Make-ahead option: Mix the juices and fruits ahead of time but add sparkling components right before serving for the best fizz.

Storing & Reheating

These drinks are best served fresh and chilled, but you can easily store leftovers:

In the fridge: Keep the Pumpkin Sangria and Hocus Pocus Punch in sealed glass pitchers for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving again.
In the freezer: Pour leftovers into ice cube trays to make flavored drink cubes for future beverages.
Reheating: These drinks are meant to be cold, but if you prefer a warm version of Pumpkin Sangria, gently heat it on the stove over low heat—do not boil—to enjoy as a cozy autumn cider.

FAQs

Q1: Can I make these drinks ahead of time?
Yes! You can mix all the base ingredients a day ahead. Just add any sparkling liquids right before serving to maintain the fizz.

Q2: Can I adjust the sweetness?
Absolutely. Taste the mixture before chilling and adjust with more maple syrup, honey, or fruit juice as you prefer.

Q3: Can I use canned pumpkin pie mix instead of pumpkin puree?
Avoid pumpkin pie mix—it contains added sugar and spices. Stick with pure pumpkin puree for the best flavor balance.

Q4: Can I turn this into an adult version?
You can easily adapt it by replacing the sparkling juice with sparkling wine or adding a splash of white rum—but keep it separate for adult gatherings.

Q5: Can I make it gluten-free or vegan?
Yes, both drinks are naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly since they use only fruit juices and plant-based ingredients.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

(Approximate values; will vary based on brand of ingredients)

Calories: 120 kcal
Protein: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fat: 0 g

Celebrate the magic of fall with these Pumpkin Sangria and Hocus Pocus Punch recipes—perfectly spiced, naturally sweet, and family-approved! Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, a harvest dinner, or just craving a festive drink, these colorful beverages will bring smiles all around.
Try them out, share your version in the comments, and don’t forget to check out my other cozy fall recipes for more kid-friendly seasonal inspiration!