Description
A stunning ruby-red non-alcoholic Christmas punch featuring fresh cranberry, orange, and apple juices infused with warm holiday spices. This family-friendly beverage serves 20 people and can be made 48 hours ahead for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients
8 cups (64 oz) 100% cranberry juice, chilled
4 cups (32 oz) fresh orange juice (12–14 oranges)
2 cups (16 oz) apple cider or 100% apple juice, chilled
1 cup fresh lemon juice (5–6 lemons)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (4–5 limes)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
4 cinnamon sticks
3 whole star anise
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 cups (32 oz) ginger ale, chilled
2 cups (16 oz) sparkling water or club soda, chilled
2 oranges, sliced into thin wheels
1 lemon, sliced into thin wheels
1 lime, sliced into thin wheels
2 cups fresh cranberries
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
1. Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and nutmeg.
2. Heat until sugar dissolves completely, then simmer for 5 minutes to extract spice flavors.
3. Remove from heat and let steep for 20 minutes. Strain out all spices and refrigerate syrup until completely cold (at least 2 hours).
4. Prepare ice ring by arranging citrus slices and cranberries in a bundt pan. Fill with cranberry juice or water and freeze overnight.
5. Juice fresh oranges, lemons, and limes, straining out seeds and pulp.
6. In a large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, orange juice, apple cider, lemon juice, and lime juice.
7. Stir in the chilled spiced simple syrup. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
8. Cover and refrigerate the punch base for at least 2 hours or up to 48 hours.
9. Just before serving, unmold ice ring by running warm water on outside of bundt pan for 10 seconds. Place in punch bowl.
10. Gently pour in chilled ginger ale and sparkling water, stirring very slowly to preserve carbonation.
11. Add fresh citrus wheels, cranberries, and rosemary sprigs for garnish.
12. Serve immediately in punch cups or glasses. Replenish with fresh ginger ale as carbonation fades.
Notes
Make the juice base up to 48 hours ahead, but add carbonated mixers only right before serving.
Pre-chill all ingredients thoroughly to maintain carbonation and prevent dilution.
Use an ice ring instead of ice cubes to keep punch cold without watering it down.
Adjust sweetness to taste some families prefer less sugar, especially if serving to children.
Keep extra ginger ale chilled to refresh the punch bowl every 45-60 minutes during parties.
For a less sweet version, replace half the ginger ale with sparkling water or club soda.
Freeze leftover punch base (without carbonation) for up to 3 months. Thaw and add fresh fizz when needed.
This recipe serves approximately 20 people (2-3 cups per person).
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz (1 cup)
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: christmas punch, holiday punch, non-alcoholic punch, cranberry punch, party punch, festive drinks