Having punch on hand, whether for a large gathering or a small group of friends, is an easy and elegant way to serve libations. They free you up to enjoy the party yourself, as well as offer a tempting cocktail that they don't have to do any work for either. So whether you want a warm or chilled Christmas punch, there only work left is which one to choose.
Mulled Cranberry Punch
A mulled wine capitalizes on the tart-yet-sweet cranberry flavors, and it's one of the most traditional hot Christmas drinks. This will be an instant hit with everyone.
Ingredients
- 750mL merlot or zinfandel
- 24 ounces tart cranberry juice
- 6 ounces orange liqueur
- 2 ounces almond liqueur
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 2 whole oranges, sliced
- 6 star anise
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over low heat, add wine, cranberry juice, almond liqueur, and orange liqueur.
- Add cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and star anise.
- Stir to mix.
- Warm for approximately 10 minutes until just starting to simmer.
- Serve in cocktail mugs with herbs and sliced fruit.
Winter Sangria
A tasty spin on traditional chilled sangria, the hearty flavors of fruit and wine work double to warm you from the inside out.
Ingredients
- 750mL grenache or zinfandel
- 8 ounces tart cherry juice
- 6 ounces brandy
- 4 ounces allspice dram
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 whole oranges, sliced
- 1 whole apple, sliced
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, add wine, tart cherry juice, brandy, allspice dram, and orange juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Add sliced fruit.
- Refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours prior to serving.
- Serve in cocktail or rocks glasses with sliced fruit.
The Family Mulled Wine
Some traditions stay strong because of the nostalgia, some stay because they're actually enjoyed. This mulled wine recipe checks both boxes.
Ingredients
- 750mL merlot or cabernet
- 6 ounces brandy
- 3 ounces orange liqueur
- 2 ounces almond liqueur
- 8 whole cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- Orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise for garnish
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, add wine, brandy, orange liqueur, almond liqueur, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
- Stir to mix.
- Allow to heat through, but not come to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to the lowest possible setting, warming for approximately one hour.
- Strain out herbs.
- Serve in cocktail mugs.
- Garnish with orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise.
Christmas Tree Punch
The rosemary sprig garnish in this punch gives off a similar look to a Christmas tree. This libation is great for enjoying at parties or using as a piece of drinkable decoration at your own gathering.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, add ice, tart cranberry juice, apple juice, vodka, orange liqueur, and honey liqueur.
- Stir to mix.
- Serve in wine or rocks glasses.
- Garnish with orange slice, rosemary sprig, and whole cranberries.
Jolly Jingle Punch
The festive look of this over-the-top punch will put anyone into the holiday spirits, or at the very least make them happy they joined the party.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces tart cherry juice
- 8 ounces orange vodka
- 4 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 4 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces simple syrup
- 1 cup fresh whole cranberries
- Cubed ice and crushed ice
- Club soda to top off
- Lime wheel and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, add cubed ice, cherry juice, orange vodka, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and cranberries.
- Stir to mix.
- In a rocks glass, add crushed ice and fill halfway with punch.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with lime wheel and rosemary sprig.
Rosemary's Punch
An herbaceous-forward spin on what are usually fruit-forward punches, this will please anyone who shies away from overly sweet drinks. The gin can also be substituted for vodka if you know friends and family will be dismayed by the juniper flavors.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cranberry juice
- 8 ounces gin
- 6 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 ounces rosemary simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, add ice, cranberry juice, gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Stir to mix.
- In a rocks glass, add fresh ice and fill halfway with punch.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with rosemary sprig.
Orange You Glad to Have Apple Sangria
Don't be fooled by the fall look of this sangria--the cinnamon and clove flavors make it perfect for a Christmas day.
Ingredients
- 750mL pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc
- 12 ounces orange juice
- 8 ounces apple juice or cider
- 6 ounces spiced rum
- 4 ounces cinnamon schnapps
- 4 ounces applejack
- 2 whole apples, sliced
- Ice
- Apple wedges to garnish
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, add ice, white wine, orange juice, apple juice, spiced rum, cinnamon schnapps, applejack, and apple slices.
- Stir to mix.
- Allow to refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours.
- Serve in wine glasses.
- Garnish with apple wedges.
Pomegranate Punch
A visually enticing punch with a sugared rim and out-of-this-world flavor to match, don't be surprised if you quickly run out.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and sugar for rim
- 16 ounces pomegranate juice
- 8 ounces vanilla vodka
- 4 ounces orange juice
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Candy cane for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lime wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, add ice, pomegranate juice, vanilla vodka, orange juice, and lime juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with candy cane.
The Favorite Cousin's Spiced Mulled Wine
Despite the allure of the comfortable and familiar traditional mulled wine, this spiced mulled wine punches up the flavors a little extra. It may just start a new tradition.
Ingredients
- 750mL merlot or cabernet sauvignon
- 8 ounces tart cranberry juice
- 8 ounces spiced rum
- 4 ounces cinnamon schnapps
- 2 ounces orange liqueur
- 8 cinnamon sticks
- 6 star anise
- 2 whole oranges, sliced
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, add wine, cranberry juice, spiced rum, cinnamon schnapps, orange liqueur, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and orange slices.
- Stir to mix.
- Allow to heat through, but not come to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to the lowest possible setting, warming for approximately one hour.
- Strain out herbs.
- Serve in cocktail mugs.
- Garnish with orange slice, star anise, and cinnamon stick.
Modern Old-Fashioned Christmas Punch
A riff on an old-fashioned with a Christmas punch spin, this boozy punch will make all ages happy to sip.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a punch bowl, add ice, bourbon, cranberry juice, water, cinnamon simple syrup, and bitters.
- Stir to mix.
- In a rocks glass, serve a half-cup (approximately 4 ounces) over fresh ice or king cube.
- Garnish with orange twist or orange wheel.
A Berry Rosé Christmas Punch
This lighter punch is great for afternoon parties, or when you're expecting a crowd over brunch.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge and sugar for rim
- 750mL rosé
- 8 ounces lemon vodka
- 4 ounces raspberry liqueur
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Fresh berries and mint sprig or lemon slice to garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lemon wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a large pitcher, add ice, rosé, lemon vodka, raspberry liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Serve in prepared glass.
- Garnish with fresh berries and mint.
Comet's Aperol Punch
The classic Aperol spritz gets a holiday upgrade thanks to some help from familiar reindeer friends.
Ingredients
- 18 ounces Aperol
- 10 ounces gin
- 4 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- 4 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- 12 ounces club soda
- 374mL Prosecco
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a punch bowl, add ice, Aperol, gin, orange juice, and lemon juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Add club soda and prosecco.
- Serve in wine glasses over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange wheel.
The Conversation Starts With Punch
A Christmas punch recipe is more than just a route to a drink, it's a conversation starter. While people gather around and serve themselves a drink, they're making more than just a drink. They're making memories and friendships.
