This tasty non-alcoholic Christmas punch recipe is perfect to serve with Christmas dinner or at a Christmas party. This delightful holiday drink is a simple mix of tart cranberry juice, tangy lemonade, sweet pineapple juice, and a fizzy splash of ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. The rosy red hue adds a festive touch that makes this the perfect holiday drink!
The holiday season is upon us! And that means it is time to get out the large punch bowl
and gather the whole family together for holiday parties.
For an extra festive touch, take the time to make an ice ring following the simple steps listed below.
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Delicious Holiday Party Drink
This festive drink is perfect for Christmas, New Year’s, or any winter holiday! It’s a fantastic choice for family gatherings with children or for occasions where an alcohol-free option is preferred. For adults, it also works wonderfully as a base if you’d like to add some extra holiday spirit to it with some alcohol, but it’s just as delicious on its own!
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients You’ll Need to Make This Easy Christmas Punch Recipe
There are many Christmas drink recipes out there, but this one is my preference. This recipe makes about 2 gallons total.
You will need the following ingredients to be chilled:
- 46 ounces Pineapple Juice
- 64 ounces cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail
- 64 ounces lemonade (or orange juice)
- 2 liters of ginger ale or lemon lime soda
How to Make the Perfect Holiday Punch Recipe
This kid friendly holiday punch recipe is an easy holiday punch that your kids can help you put together. All you have to do after gathering the ingredients is pour everything into your punch bowl or beverage dispenser and give it a swirl with a wooden spoon.
Once all the pineapple juice, cranberry juice, ginger ale and lemonade are combined, pour into cups for individual servings and top the glasses with fruit garnishes. An orange slice and a few cranberries are my personal preference.
How To Make This Best Christmas Punch Recipe Ahead of Time
- To prepare this holiday punch in advance, mix all the juices together and let the flavors meld.
- Wait to add the soda and ice ring until just before serving to keep the punch fizzy and perfectly chilled for your guests.
- Tip: The juices will settle separate a bit while sitting, so just give it a stir with a long handle spoon or the punch bowl ladle before serving.
Ingredients For an Ice Ring (or as a garnish if you decide to skip making one):
These ingredients enhance the punch’s visual appeal and add a subtle boost of flavor! Make the ice ring 6-8 hours (or overnight) in advance of your Christmas party.
- Fresh cranberries
- Fresh orange slices
- Rosemary sprigs
- Cinnamon sticks
- Pomegranate seeds would be a great fruit garnish as well
How to Serve this Non Alcoholic Holiday Punch Recipe
This recipe makes a very large batch of holiday punch as it makes just shy of 2 gallons total.
You’ll need a large punch bowl, drink dispenser, or large pitcher for serving. If you only have smaller serving equipment, no problem! Simply mix the holiday punch in a separate container and refill as needed.
If you didn’t inherent grandmas punch bowl, there are several options online. There are plastic versions like this Gold Trim Clear Plastic Punch Bowl with Ladle or this beautiful Vintage Style Glass Punch Bowl for Parties.
For beverage dispensers there are some great options for Glass Beverage Dispenser or this Shatterproof Plastic Pitcher.
How to Make Delicious Holiday Punch for a Beverage Dispenser
If you don’t have a punch bowl but still want to impress your guests, try making decorative ice cubes with fruit and herb garnishes. You can use a silicone cake mold to create fun shapes, similar to an ice ring but smaller, so they’ll fit easily into a beverage dispenser opening.
Gingerbread Man Christmas Silicone Molds
How To Make An Ice Ring For Holiday Punch
To make an ice ring for this easy party punch recipe, I suggest using a bundt pan, for a classic look. Nordic Ware offers some stunning bundt pan designs if you want to go all out. But if a quick trip to your local TJ Maxx is more your style, I totally get it! If you were to get a Nordic Ware bundt pan, I think this Blossom Bundt Pan or Holiday Wreath Bundt Pan would be so festive!
Ingredients & Supplies:
- A Bundt pan, cake mold, or a large round bowl
- Water ( Filtered water for clearer ice)
- Decorative ingredients:
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange slices, lemon slices or lime slices
- Fresh herbs like mint, rosemary, or thyme
- Optional: Juice from the punch recipe to match the flavor of the beverage.
How to Make an Ice Ring for Punch Bowl: Christmas Punch Recipe:
- Prep Your Ingredients
- Wash your decorative ingredients (fruit, and herbs) thoroughly.
- Slice any citrus or fruits you want to include.
- Fill the Mold
- Start by adding a layer of your chosen decorations (e.g., cranberries, rosemary, orange slices) to the bottom of a Bundt pan or mold.
- Pour enough water (or juice) into the mold to just cover the decorations.
- Optional step: Place in the freezer until this layer is frozen solid (this ensures the decorations stay in place).
- Add More Water
- Once you’ve done the first layer, pour in more water (or juice) to fill the mold about ¾ full.
- Add any additional decorations you’d like on this layer as this will be the top that is shown the most.
- Tip: Artistically, I prefer things to be slightly off-center or arranged in odd numbers. This approach gives the eye a place to rest and keeps the design from feeling too symmetrical or overly “matchy-matchy.”
- Freeze Completely
- Freeze the entire ring until it’s completely solid (about 6-8 hours or overnight).
- Unmold the Ice Ring
- To release the ice ring, run warm water over the outside of the mold for a few seconds, or let it sit at room temperature briefly.
- Gently tip it out onto a plate or directly into the punch bowl.
- Add to Punch Bowl
- Place the ice ring in your holiday punch, decorative side up. It will float and keep your punch chilled while looking beautiful!
Variations to This Non-Alcoholic Punch Recipe
If you’d like to switch things up and use pomegranate juice, I recommend replacing 1/4 to 1/2 of the cranberry juice with it. I suggest keeping some cranberry juice or cranberry cocktail for balance and flavor.
Add Sherbet: I skip the sherbet in our holiday punch since we have family members who need a dairy-free option. However, if that’s not a concern for your gathering, adding rainbow or raspberry sherbet can make the punch extra tasty and festive!
FAQ for Making Christmas Punch
1. Can I make holiday punch ahead of time?
Answer: Yes! You can mix the juices together ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. However, wait to add any carbonated drinks, like ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, until just before serving to keep the punch fizzy. Also, add ice or an ice ring right before serving to keep it cold without diluting it too much.
2. How do I keep my punch cold without watering it down?
Answer: Use an ice ring or large ice cubes instead of small ice cubes, as they melt more slowly. For added flair, freeze fruit and herbs (like cranberries, orange slices, and mint) into the ice. You can also use frozen juice cubes that match your punch flavor to keep it chilled without diluting the taste. See the instructions listed above for a how-to!
3. How can I make holiday punch look festive?
Answer: Garnish the punch with colorful, seasonal ingredients like fresh cranberries, orange or lemon slices, pomegranate seeds, and sprigs of rosemary or mint. You can also add a decorative ice ring or shaped ice cubes filled with fruit and herbs for an extra “wow” factor.
4. Can I add alcohol to the punch for adults?
Answer: Absolutely! Add sparkling wine, prosecco, rum, vodka, or a splash of brandy to the base juice mixture for an adult-friendly version. Just keep the alcohol separate and let guests add it to their glass if you’re also serving kids or those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks.
5. What can I substitute if I don’t have cranberry juice?
Answer: If you don’t have cranberry juice, you can use pomegranate juice, cherry juice, or a mix of apple juice and a splash of lime for a tart flavor.
6. How much punch should I make for a crowd?
Answer: Plan for about 1 cup (8 ounces) of punch per guest, per hour. For example, if you’re hosting 10 guests for 2 hours, you’ll need about 20 cups of punch (approximately 1.25 gallons). Always err on the side of extra, as punch tends to go quickly!
7. Can I add sherbet to my holiday punch?
Answer: Yes, adding sherbet (like rainbow or raspberry) creates a creamy, frothy texture and adds a fun, nostalgic touch. Just keep in mind that it won’t be dairy-free, so check with guests for dietary needs.
8. How do I keep the punch fizzy longer?
Answer: Add carbonated ingredients like soda or sparkling water right before serving. Stir gently to avoid losing the bubbles. Also, serve the punch in smaller batches so it stays fresh and fizzy.
9. What’s the best way to serve punch if I don’t have a punch bowl?
Answer: Use a beverage dispenser or a large pitcher instead. For added flair, make decorative ice cubes in silicone molds with fruit and herb garnishes that fit through the dispenser opening.
More Delicious Beverage Recipes
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Easy Valentine’s Day Pink Punch Recipe for Parties:
This naturally pink punch is perfect for any special occasion! Made with pink lemonade, pink cranberry juice, lemon-lime soda, and fresh strawberry puree, it’s sweet, fizzy, and free of artificial dyes. Add pineapple juice or top with raspberry sorbet for extra flavor and a fun, festive touch. Easy to make and loved by all ages!
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Closing Thoughts
As a SAHM, it really means the world to me to have your support. I hope this recipe works well for your next holiday party and that you love it as much as we do.
Pinning it on Pinterest, sharing on social media or coming back and leaving a review, helps more people find it which also helps me be able to make more recipes to share. I appreciate the support so much! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Christmas Holiday Punch Recipe with Ice Ring
Equipment
- 2 gallon Punch Bowl or beverage dispenser
- Bundt Cake Pan or bowl
Ingredients
- 46 ounces Pineapple Juice
- 64 ounces cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail
- 64 ounces lemonade or orange juice
- 2 liters ginger ale or lemon lime soda
- 2 oranges washed and sliced
- 1 bag fresh cranberries washed
- sprigs of rosemary or other herbs like mint
Instructions
To Make an Ice Ring
- In the bottom of a Bundt cake pan or bowl, pour water (or extra juice) about 1/2 inch deep.
- Arrange fresh cranberries on the bottom of the pan and then cover them with orange slices all around the pan.
- Add more water (or juice) to cover all the orange slices and then top with more cranberries and fresh herbs.
- Arrange in an artistic way as this is how it will look once frozen.
- Cover with more water (or juice) till the pan is 3/4 full.
- Place cake pan on a baking sheet or plastic plate, and then place into the freezer for 6-8 hours or overnight till frozen solid.
To Make the Punch
- Pour all beverages together into a large punch bowl or beverage dispenser.
- Loosen the ice ring by running the pan under cool water till it thaws just enough to be removed from the pan.
- Place the ice ring into the punch bowl.
- Top with more garnishes if desired.
- Enjoy this simple but delicious Christmas punch!
Notes
This made a wonderful addition to my husband’s birthday party. The grandkids seemed to love it and kept wanting more.
Love to hear that! I’m so glad it was a great addition 🙂