This Christmas Punch Is My Holiday Party Saver (No Lie)
If you’ve ever been to one of my slightly-overcrowded holiday gatherings (apologies if you got lost finding the bathroom last year), you’ve probably had a glass of this Christmas punch in your hand. There’s just something about the cheerful color and the sweet little kick that puts everyone in a festive mood—even grumpy Uncle Graham, who frankly never likes anything.
I still remember the first year I made this punch—I panicked, dumped in, like, half a bottle of ginger ale, forgot the oranges and everyone said it was the most ‘refreshing’ one yet. Go figure. Anyway, I’ve tweaked the recipe a bit (thanks Mum, whose critiques are always direct), and now I think I’ve finally landed on a winner—even if, just between us, I still sometimes freestyle the fruit quantities. Oops.
Why You’ll Love This Festive Punch
I make this Christmas Punch when I want to look like I tried (even if I just slapped it together in fifteen minutes flat). My family goes crazy for this because it’s got that sweet-tart-citrus-ginger fizz, and the kids always want the ‘fancy’ version with extra berries. (Honestly, my brother-in-law once added vodka… it was chaos, but hysterical!).
I reckon I love it most because you can kind of throw in whatever you’ve got on the fruit rack, and it magically works out. Unless you use that weird pink grapefruit soda, but I’ll get to that.
What You’ll Need (Substitutions Totally Fine)
- 1 liter cranberry juice (sometimes I swap half for pomegranate juice if I’m, you know, feeling fancy or there’s a sale)
- 750 ml ginger ale (my grandma swears by Vernors, but honestly, Canada Dry works or that generic supermarket stuff in a pinch)
- 250 ml fresh orange juice (or just squeeze 2-3 oranges if you don’t mind a bit of pulp—one time I used store-bought and nobody blinked)
- 1 big handful of frozen cranberries (fresh is lovely but frozen keeps the punch cold)
- 2 oranges, sliced into wheels (sometimes I chuck in a couple clementines instead because they look cute)
- 1-2 handfuls of pomegranate seeds (optional, if you can be bothered)
- A few sprigs of fresh rosemary or mint (for the posh vibe, but hey, skip if it’s not in the garden)
- Ice—loads (but if you’re low, frozen grapes work too!)
How I Actually Make It
- Take your biggest punch bowl—seriously, I once used a soup pot and nobody noticed. Pour in the cranberry juice and orange juice. If you’re using the store stuff, give it a stir so it doesn’t settle weirdly.
- Plop in the orange slices, cranberries (they bob like cheerful buoys), and pomegranate seeds if you feel up to it. This is where I sneak a little taste—totally allowed, chef’s privilege.
- Add heaps of ice. I mean, don’t be stingy—it’s a punch, not a cordial. If you’re low on cubes, frozen fruit is your friend.
- Just before people show up, pour in the ginger ale. (Learned the hard way: do this early and all the fizz disappears before Aunt Susan is on her second glass.)
- Give it a gentle stir—don’t go wild or you’ll flatten all the bubbles and splash yourself. Or so I’ve heard. Garnish with rosemary or mint if you’re feeling like a Christmas elf.
Some Notes I Wish I Knew Earlier
- Actually, it works better if you don’t add the ginger ale ’til last. One time I rushed and my punch went flat as a pancake.
- If you have leftovers (unlikely, but I suppose…) the fruit gets a bit soggy. But, it honestly tastes more ‘infused’ the next day, so silver lining?
- I once used blood oranges and nobody realized, but I felt fancy all night. Highly recommend if you spot them at Tesco.
Variations I’ve Tried Just for Fun
- Add a splash of rum or prosecco for an adults-only bash—prosecco makes everyone giggle for some reason
- Swap half the ginger ale for lemon-lime soda if the kids are whinging about spice (I dunno, my lot are determined to have opinions on everything!)
- Once, I tried grapefruit juice… and, honestly, it was a misstep. Too bitter. But that’s probably just me
What If I Don’t Have a Punch Bowl?
No worries! I’ve used a big salad bowl, Dutch oven, even a mixing bowl once. You could use a clean bucket in a pinch—though, if you do, maybe don’t tell your mother-in-law where you got it from. Or just mix in a couple of jugs; more walking means fewer calories, right?
Can I Store Leftovers? Here’s the Truth
Officially, you can keep this covered in the fridge for about two days (if you remove the ice so it doesn’t get watery). Realistically, though, in my house it never last more than a night. If you do stash some, the fruit gets boozier (somehow?) and the ginger fizz is milder, which I actually enjoy with breakfast—don’t judge!
How I Like to Serve It (and a Silly Tradition)
I usually serve this punch in my mishmash of glasses—mason jars, wine glasses, the odd Christmas mug when I run out. My little one loves decorating the rim with a twist of orange peel, which somehow makes it ‘fancy party punch’ in her words.
Random side note: last year we played ‘Guess the Garnish’—you haven’t lived till you’ve watched four grown adults sniff rosemary and argue about whether it’s mint.
Not-So-Serious Pro Tips from Experience
- I once tried rushing and dumped the ginger ale in too soon—regretted it! Wait until the last minute for truly fizzy punch.
- If your bowl’s too small, mix in halves and top people’s glasses up as you go. No one noticed, except my nosy cousin who notices everything.
Quick FAQ Because Apparently People Ask
- What’s the best juice brand?—Honestly, use what’s on hand. I usually grab Ocean Spray, but budget brands work too (here’s a helpful taste test if you’re feeling indecisive).
- Can I make it alcohol-free for kids?—Absolutely, just skip the booze. In fact, that’s the usual way at our place till the clock strikes 8pm, then the grownup bottles come out. If your crowd likes a non-alcoholic fizz, try mixing in a dash of sparkling water—learned that on BBC Good Food’s Christmas Punch page.
- Can I prep fruit ahead of time?—Yep! I chop everything the night before and stash it in the fridge. Makes my life easier, but don’t let oranges dry out—I wrap them in clingfilm. Once I left them open and, let’s just say, hard orange slices aren’t a crowd pleaser.
- Is there a way to make this punch look ‘fancy’?—Sure! Add tons of berries and herbs, maybe a cinnamon stick or two. Or just use your best glasses and nobody will question it.
If you want to geek out over more festive drink ideas (who doesn’t?), Delish’s Christmas Punch ideas make for a good scroll with a cuppa in hand.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 liter lemon-lime soda
- 1 cup ginger ale
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- Ice cubes for serving
Instructions
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1In a large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and orange juice.
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2Add lemon-lime soda and ginger ale to the bowl and stir gently to combine.
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3Add the orange slices, fresh cranberries, and pomegranate seeds to the punch for garnish.
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4Add ice cubes just before serving to chill the punch.
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5Serve in glasses and enjoy your festive Christmas Punch.
CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO
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Approximate Information for One Serving
Serving Size:
1 serving
Calories:
120 caloriescal
Protein:
0gg
Fat:
0gg
Saturated Fat:
0g
Trans Fat:
0g
Cholesterol:
0mg
Sodium:
0mg
Potassium:
0mg
Total Carbs:
30gg
Fiber:
0g
Sugar:
0g
Net Carbs:
0g
Vitamin A:
0
Vitamin C:
0mg
Calcium:
0mg
Iron:
0mg
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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