When I'm looking for an extra touch of festiveness during the holidays, I lean on this easy Christmas Punch. It's made with sparkling cranberry and apple flavors, can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic and is ready in 15 minutes.
Looking for more Christmas recipes? Try my Homemade Caramels, Christmas Cornflake Wreaths, Caramel Hot Chocolate, and Peppermint Brownies!
Why I love this recipe:
- Quick – Only 15 minutes from start to finish for the best Christmas punch recipe to compliment your meal.
- Festive – This bright red punch will add the perfect holiday touch of color and make it feel like Christmas.
- Delicious – Everyone always raves about this easy Christmas drink when I serve it. It's refreshing, full of flavor, and an absolute crowd pleaser. We look forward to it every year.
How to make Christmas Punch:
Combine Ingredients: Pour the water, sugar, and cranberries in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop. Pour into a container and allow it to cool to room temperature, or chill in the fridge until cooled.
Add Juice: Pour cooled cranberry syrup in a pitcher, followed by apple cider, cranberry juice and lime juice and chill until ready to serve.
Once ready to serve, pour in Ginger-Ale and ice.
Serve this easy Christmas punch recipe with thinly sliced lime, apples, or oranges floating on top, or even a cinnamon stick to add to the festive appearance (optional). Add them all last so they don't add any bitter flavors to the drink.
Make Ahead and Instructions:
To Make Ahead: The whole traditional Christmas punch recipe can be made 1-2 days ahead of time, just don't add the ginger-ale, ice, or any garnishes until ready to serve. Store covered in the fridge.
More Holiday Beverages to Try:
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Recipe
Christmas Punch
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup fresh cranberries
- 3 cups apple cider
- 2 cups cranberry juice (not juice cocktail)
- juice from half of a small lime
- 3 cups ginger ale , chilled
- crushed ice
Instructions
- Combine the water, sugar and cranberries in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop. Pour into a tupperware and allow to cool to room temperature, or chill in the fridge until cooled.
- Add cooled cranberries to a pitcher. Add apple cider, cranberry juice and lime juice and chill until ready to serve.
- Once ready to serve, add ginger-ale and ice.
- Optional: Serve with thinly sliced lime, apples, or oranges floating on top, or even a cinnamon stick to add to the festive appearance. Add them all last so they don't add any bitter flavors to the drink.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe November 2016. Updated December 2020 and December 2023.
This post contains affiliate links.
This looks awesome, sadly I cannonlybget frozen fresh cranberries. What would be the best way to tweak the recipe to accommodate for this? Or do I just thaw them first?
Thanks!
Erin
I’d add them frozen!! Sounds awesome!
Have you made this with less sugar? If you have how do you recommend cutting the sugar. Thank you, sounds so tasty.
You could use diet ginger ale!
The recipe calls for cranberry juice, but in the picture it’s cranberry juice cocktail, which has a ton of sugar. If you make it with 100% cranberry juice is it going to be too tart to drink? 🙂 Thanks!
Great catch!! You want to use 100% cranberry juice (not the cocktail)
Our Family that doesn’t drink alcohol LOVED THIS and the people that do drink thought it was GREAT too!!!!
Made this several times over the holidays and it was a HUGE hit at different parties! Thanks for a great recipe!
How many servings does this make?
This recipe yields 2 quarts of punch, which is about 8 servings (of 8 oz. each)
Oh yes ! The list of dishes is done and this is just what I need to add to make it complete ! Thank you and happy holidays !
Lauren, I’ll be trying this. I love a tasty and pretty punch!