Christmas Punch

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This big-batch cocktail punch is the perfect blend of tart and sweet.

Christmas Punch
Credit:

Brie Goldman

Servings:
12 to 16

This is the Christmas punch recipe you’ve been looking for! Taking inspiration from the Cosmopolitan cocktail, it starts with that classic combination of cranberry juice, vodka, and orange liqueur (such as Cointreau). Our punch takes your Christmas party to the next level with a festive infusion of pomegranate and lemon juices, plus club soda for extra sparkle. Ice cubes studded with fresh cranberries add the finishing touch. 

What makes this punch even more party-perfect are its make-ahead possibilities! You can mix up a batch of simple syrup an entire month in advance (make extra so you’ll be prepared for a whole holiday season of cocktails). The day before your party you can mix together most of the remaining punch ingredients, just adding the lemon juice and club soda at party time.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Up to one month in advance: Make the simple syrup. Allow it to cool to room temperature and then store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

One day in advance: Mix together the pomegranate and cranberry juices, vodka, orange liqueur, and simple syrup (i.e., everything but the fresh citrus, the club soda, and the ice). Refrigerate in a sealed container such as a lidded pitcher, a growler, or large Mason jar.

Make the fresh cranberry ice cubes. Instead of traditional cubes, you can make a large ice block in a round or square freezer-safe container, or use a Bundt pan to make an ice ring.

Put the club soda in the fridge to chill.  

A few hours in advance: Prepare the fresh lemon juice and store in the refrigerator in a covered glass or plastic container. (Citrus begins to oxidize once it’s exposed to air, so you want to juice it the same day you serve it for the freshest flavor.)

At serving time: In a punch bowl, stir together the pre-batched punch, lemon juice, and chilled club soda. Add the ice and let the party begin!

Add a label to the pre-batched punch with instructions on what ingredients to add and how to serve it. That way, when a guest says, “Can I help?” you can simply direct them to the fridge and let them do the rest.

Directions

Christmas Punch
Credit:

Brie Goldman

  1. Combine ingredients in punch bowl:

    Combine pomegranate and cranberry juice, vodka, Cointreau, club soda, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a punch bowl.

    Christmas Punch
    Credit:

    Brie Goldman

  2. Serve:

    Fill glasses with cranberries frozen in ice cubes, and serve.

    Christmas Punch
    Credit:

    Brie Goldman

There’s a good reason why traditional punch cups are small. When the punch is self-serve, small glassware helps guests pace their drinking so they don’t gulp down too much too quickly. Drinking from small vessels also means that the punch won’t lose its chill before your guests can finish a cupful.

More Holiday Punch Recipes

Updated by
Jennifer Anderson
Jennifer is a writer for decorvow.com.

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