Christmas Punch: The Easy 5-Minute Holiday Party Drink

Every holiday party needs a big, beautiful bowl of something festive, and this Christmas Punch is it. Tart cranberry juice, sweet pineapple and orange juice and fizzy ginger ale come together in a bright red punch, finished with floating cranberries, orange slices and fresh rosemary. It’s completely alcohol-free and family-friendly.

It takes 5 minutes to make and looks stunning on the table.

Red Christmas punch in a glass pitcher with cranberries and orange slices, and three sugar-rimmed glasses garnished with rosemary.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Punch

  • Ready in 5 minutes with simple store-bought juices.
  • Alcohol-free and family-friendly — everyone can enjoy it.
  • Beautiful and festive with cranberries, oranges and rosemary.
  • Serves a crowd — about 20 servings.

Ingredients

  • Cranberry juice cocktail – 4 cups (1 liter), chilled.
  • Pineapple juice – 2 cups (480 ml), chilled.
  • Orange juice – 1 cup (240 ml), chilled.
  • Ginger ale – One 2-liter bottle, chilled.
  • Fresh or frozen cranberries – 1 cup.
  • Oranges – 2, thinly sliced.
  • Fresh rosemary – A few sprigs.
  • Ice – As needed.
  • For sugared rims (optional) – Lime wedge and ¼ cup sugar.

How to Make Christmas Punch

1. Mix the juices

In a large punch bowl or drink dispenser, stir together the cranberry, pineapple and orange juices. This can be done up to a day ahead and kept chilled.

2. Add the fizz

Right before serving, pour in the chilled ginger ale and stir gently so it stays bubbly.

3. Garnish

Add the cranberries, orange slices, rosemary sprigs and ice.

4. Rim the glasses

Rub the rim of each glass with a lime wedge and dip it in sugar. Fill with punch and serve right away.

Tips for the Best Punch

  • Chill everything first so you need less ice and the punch doesn’t get watered down.
  • Add the ginger ale last to keep the bubbles.
  • Use frozen cranberries as festive “ice cubes.”
  • Make an ice ring with cranberries and orange slices frozen in a bundt pan for a showstopper.

Variations

  • Sparkling: Use lemon-lime soda or sparkling water instead of ginger ale.
  • Less sweet: Use 100% cranberry juice and add more sparkling water.
  • Sherbet punch: Float scoops of raspberry sherbet on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make it ahead?
Mix the juices up to 24 hours ahead. Add the ginger ale and garnishes just before serving.

How many does it serve?
About 20 servings of 6 oz each.

Can I make it less sweet?
Yes. Use 100% unsweetened cranberry juice and replace some of the ginger ale with sparkling water.

More Holiday Party Recipes

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Christmas Punch

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A festive red holiday punch with cranberry, pineapple and orange juice, ginger ale, cranberries and rosemary. Ready in 5 minutes and alcohol-free!

  • Author: Amanda
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 20 servings
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (1 L) cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
  • 2 cups (480 ml) pineapple juice, chilled
  • 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice, chilled
  • 1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 2 oranges, thinly sliced
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Ice
  • Optional: lime wedge and ¼ cup sugar for rims

Instructions

  1. Stir together cranberry, pineapple and orange juices in a punch bowl or dispenser.
  2. Just before serving, gently stir in the ginger ale.
  3. Add cranberries, orange slices, rosemary and ice.
  4. Rim glasses with lime and sugar, fill and serve.

Notes

  • Mix the juices up to 24 hours ahead; add ginger ale last.
  • Use frozen cranberries as festive ice cubes.

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