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I'm sharing my favorite holiday punch recipe that lights up every Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's party at my house. This gorgeous drink blends cranberry, orange, apple cider and ginger into the most refreshing bubbly punch. I love making big batches for my holiday gatherings everyone always asks for the recipe.
Your New Go-To Party Drink
Trust me this punch is a total game changer for hosting. It takes just 10 minutes to throw together and makes enough to keep the whole party going. I always make both regular and alcohol-free versions so everyone can join in the fun.
Shopping List
- Cranberry Juice: 32 ounces (1 large bottle). I always splurge on the 100% pure juice for that perfect sweet tart flavor.
- Orange Juice: 16 ounces (2 cups). The fresh citrus brightens everything up.
- Sparkling Apple Cider: 750 milliliters (1 bottle). This adds such lovely fizz. Sometimes I swap in sparkling grape juice when I want to mix things up.
- Ginger Ale: 2 liters (1 large bottle). Gives that perfect spicy bubble we all love.
- Vodka: 8 ounces (1 cup). Spring for the good stuff or leave it out for virgin punch.
- Optional Garnishes: Fresh orange slices and cranberries make it look so festive.
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Let's Make It
- Mix Your Drinks
- Get your biggest punch bowl and pour in the cranberry juice, orange juice, sparkling cider, ginger ale and vodka. Give it all a good stir.
- Pretty It Up
- Float some orange slices and cranberries on top. This makes it look absolutely gorgeous.
- Time to Serve
- Fill glasses with ice and ladle in your punch. Want it stronger? Add an extra splash of vodka.
- Kid Friendly Version
- Skip the vodka and you have got the perfect punch for little ones.
My Prep Secret
Want to get ahead? Mix everything except the sparkling cider and pop it in the fridge. Right before your guests arrive pour in the cider. This keeps all those lovely bubbles fresh and fizzy.
Saving Extra Punch
Got leftovers? Pop them in the fridge in covered containers. The bubbles might settle after a few days but the flavor stays amazing for up to 3 days.
What to Serve With Your Punch
In my house this punch goes perfectly with my famous meatballs, spicy cranberry wings or that cheese ball recipe everyone begs me for. It really makes any party food shine.
Mix It Up
Sometimes I switch things around with sparkling grape juice or regular apple juice when I want something different. My sister loves adding sugared cranberries and I occasionally throw in a cinnamon stick when I'm feeling fancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s the Best Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drink?
A festive punch made with cranberry and orange juices is a perfect choice. Add some sparkling water or soda for a bit of fizz, and garnish with fresh fruit or herbs to make it feel extra special.
- → What’s a Good Christmas Drink for Kids?
Non-alcoholic punch is a fun option for kids—it’s colorful and full of fruity flavors. For something warm, you can’t go wrong with classic hot chocolate topped with marshmallows or whipped cream.
- → Should You Put Ice in Punch?
Ice works well, but it can dilute the flavor. To avoid this, freeze some of the punch as ice cubes or chill the drink and serve it in glasses over ice.
- → Can I make this punch ahead of time?
You can mix the cranberry and orange juices ahead of time. Add the sparkling ingredients just before serving to keep the fizz fresh and lively.