Easy Christmas Punch (Alcoholic or Not)
This holiday punch recipe is perfect for all the holiday parties and dinners. Whether you’re planning a big holiday party or an intimate family dinner, this punch will be a hit with everyone.
Why This Christmas Punch Is SO Good
- This punch is a holiday staple because it balances bright fruit juices, fresh citrus, and a sparkling finish for the perfect festive flavor.
- The combination of pomegranate, cranberry, and orange creates a naturally sweet-tart base that tastes like Christmas in a glass.
- Infusing the fruit in the juices for a few hours deepens the flavor, while adding soda right before serving keeps it bubbly and fresh.
- You can easily make a non-alcoholic Christmas punch version for kids or a sparkling cocktail version for adults, which makes it perfect for parties, dinners, and holiday gatherings of all ages.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Pomegranate Juice: Builds the rich red color and rich sweet-tart flavor and antioxidant boost. Substitution: Cran-pomegranate blend can work in a pinch.
Orange Juice: I recommend pulp-free refrigerated orange juice for best flavor and texture.
Cranberry Juice: Adds tartness and deep holiday flavor. Tip: using 100% cranberry juice will create stronger cranberry flavor but you will need to add some simple syrup to the punch.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth and bring all the flavors an aromatic finish. Substation: few drops of aromatic bitters can work as well.
Lemon/Lime Soda: Adds bubbles and sweetness right before serving. Substitution: Club soda or sparkling water for less sweetness for less sweetness, ginger ale or ginger beer for a touch of ginger, or sparkling wine for more boozy finish.
Rum or Vodka: Light or spiced rum adds holiday warmth. Substitution: Vodka for a cleaner flavor, elderflower liqueur for floral notes.
Fruit garnishes include pomegranate seeds and oranges: Add gorgeous color and texture. Substitution: add or substitute fresh cranberries if you’d like or skip all if you prefer a smoother punch.
How to Make Non Alcoholic Christmas Punch
Like I mentioned, this punch only takes 5 minutes to put together.
I highly recommend making the punch a few hours in advance and keeping it in the refrigerator. The juices will get a change to infuse with fresh fruit for best flavor.
Add sparkling lemon/lime soda, like 7Up, right before serving so it won’t go flat. Make sure the soda is cold so it does not change the temperature of the punch.
If possible, avoid adding ice cubes to the punch bowl or the pitches. Serve ice on a side so people can choose to add some to their glass. If ice is added to the punch bowl, it will melt and dilute the drink.
One way to keep punch bowl cold is to put it on ice. If available, place the punch bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice about half way. The ice will keep punch cold from below.
How to Make Christmas Punch with Alcohol
This punch is easily made into a holiday cocktail just by adding some rum or vodka and substituting soda for sparkling wine.
You can substitute half or all of soda with sparkling wine. Use Prosecco or Champagne, whichever you prefer.
Add 6 oz of light rum, spiced rum, or vodka to the punch as well. My personal favorite is the spiced rum because it adds to the holiday flavor.
I also highly recommend adding 2-3 oz of Elderflower liqueur.
Variations To Try
- Sparkling Apple Christmas Punch: Swap cranberry juice for apple cider.
- Citrus Christmas Punch: Add lemon slices, lime slices, and a splash of lemonade.
- Ginger Punch: Add ginger beer or a bit of fresh ginger for a spiced kick.
- Kid-Friendly Berry Punch: Swap soda for berry-flavored sparkling water.
- White Christmas Punch: Use white cranberry juice + sparkling white grape juice.
How Much Does This Recipe Serve?
This recipe makes about 10 servings, but you can double it easily for large gatherings. For holiday parties, plan on 1½ cups per adult and 1 cup per child, especially if you’re serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Combine juices and fruit 2-3 hours ahead (or even the day before) and chill. Don’t add carbonated ingredients or ice! Add the ice, soda, or Prosecco right before serving so it stays bubbly.
Yes! Double or even triple the recipe in a large punch bowl. (Or keep extra separately, in the refrigerator.)
Yes, frozen cranberries or frozen orange slices help chill the punch without watering it down.
Spiced rum adds warm holiday flavor, while vodka keeps it crisp. Elderflower liqueur adds a lovely floral touch. You can also use orange liqueur instead of elderflower or pomegranate liqueur.
Some More Cocktail Recipes
If you’re planning a full holiday spread, here are a few more festive drinks that pair beautifully with this punch. Try serving a refreshing pomegranate champagne punch or a cozy spiked hot chocolate alongside it, or give guests something fun and fruity like my pomegranate martini, pomegranate gin cocktail, or elegant champagne sorbet punch. These drinks always bring a little extra sparkle to Christmas and New Year’s gatherings. As far as good, it works great with baked ham, holiday crostini, baked brie, and many more appetizers.
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Christmas Punch Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz pomegranate seeds
- 2 oranges
- 1 cup orange juice fresh squeezed if possible
- 16 oz pomegranate juice
- 16 oz 100% cranberry juice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 20 oz lemon/lime soda like 7UP or club soda
Alcohol that can be added (optional):
- 20 oz Prosecco sparkling wine INSTEAD of 7UP
- 6 oz rum spiced rum or vodka
- 2-3 oz Elderflower liqueur optional
Instructions
- Slice oranges into thin slices and cut the slices in half.
- Combine orange slices, pomegranate seeds, pomegranate juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, and vanilla together in a punch bowl or pitcher. Mix and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
- Before serving, add soda and gently stir just enough to mix.
Christmas Punch with Alcohol:
- Add rum (or vodka) and elderflower liqueur at the same time as fruit and juices.
- Add Prosecco right before servings.
Notes
- I highly recommend making the punch a few hours in advance and keeping it in the refrigerator. The juices will get a change to infuse with fresh fruit for best flavor.
- Add sparkling lemon/lime soda, like 7Up, right before serving so it won’t go flat. Make sure the soda is cold so it does not change the temperature of the punch.
- If possible, avoid adding ice cubes to the punch bowl or the pitches. Serve ice on a side so people can choose to add some to their glass. If ice is added to the punch bowl, it will melt and dilute the drink.
- One way to keep punch bowl cold is to put it on ice. If available, place the punch bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice about half way. The ice will keep punch cold from below.
Nutrition
Published on Will Cook For Smiles in November 2018.
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Categories:
Christmas Dinner Recipes, Cocktail Recipes, Drink Recipes, Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes, Vodka, Wine,All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
simple and appreciate the variations, ie: alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Merci
So glad you liked it!
Can you make this punch (minus the soda) a couple of days in advance?
Yes, you can make this ahead of time. I hope you enjoy it!
If making the alcoholic version of this Christmas punch, do you replace the lemon lime soda with Prosecco or is the Prosecco in addition to it? Thank you.
It is in place of the soda. I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you!
Served both an alcoholic and non-alcoholic version of this on Christmas and both were a huge hit! Saving this one 🙂
So glad you liked it, Melidy! 🙂
Made this for an office party! Big hit