When I’m looking for an extra touch of festiveness during the holidays, I lean on this easy Christmas Punch. It’s made with sparkling cranberry and apple flavors, can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic and is ready in 15 minutes.

Looking for more Christmas recipes? Try my Homemade Caramels, Christmas Cornflake Wreaths, Caramel Hot Chocolate, and Peppermint Brownies!

Why I love this recipe:

• Quick – Only 15 minutes from start to finish for the best Christmas punch recipe to compliment your meal.
• Festive – This bright red punch will add the perfect holiday touch of color and make it feel like Christmas.
• Delicious – Everyone always raves about this easy Christmas drink when I serve it. It’s refreshing, full of flavor, and an absolute crowd pleaser. We look forward to it every year.

How to make Christmas Punch:

Combine Ingredients: Pour the water, sugar, and cranberries in a small saucepan over medium heat. 

Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop. Pour into a container and allow it to cool to room temperature, or chill in the fridge until cooled.

Add Juice: Pour cooled cranberry syrup in a pitcher, followed by apple cider, cranberry juice and lime juice and chill until ready to serve. 

Once ready to serve, pour in Ginger-Ale and ice.

Serve this easy Christmas punch recipe with thinly sliced lime, apples, or oranges floating on top, or even a cinnamon stick to add to the festive appearance (optional). Add them all last so they don’t add any bitter flavors to the drink.

Make Ahead and Instructions:

To Make Ahead: The whole traditional Christmas punch recipe can be made 1-2 days ahead of time, just don’t add the ginger-ale, ice, or any garnishes until ready to serve. Store covered in the fridge.

More Holiday Beverages to Try:

• Homemade Eggnog
• Wassail
• Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider
• Creamy Hot Cocoa

Print

Christmas Punch

This easy Christmas Punch recipe is ready in 15 minutes and is perfect for a holiday gathering! It has sparkling cranberry and apple flavors and can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic; making it great for kids and adults.

Course Beverage

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 152kcal

Author Lauren Allen

Cost 6

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup fresh cranberries
• 3 cups apple cider
• 2 cups cranberry juice (not juice cocktail)
• juice from half of a small lime
• 3 cups ginger ale , chilled
• crushed ice

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Combine the water, sugar and cranberries in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop. Pour into a tupperware and allow to cool to room temperature, or chill in the fridge until cooled.
• Add cooled cranberries to a pitcher. Add apple cider, cranberry juice and lime juice and chill until ready to serve. 
• Once ready to serve, add ginger-ale and ice.
• Optional: Serve with thinly sliced lime, apples, or oranges floating on top, or even a cinnamon stick to add to the festive appearance. Add them all last so they don’t add any bitter flavors to the drink.

Video

Notes

To Add Alcohol: Instead of 3 cups Ginger ale, use 1 ½ cups Ginger ale and 1 ½ cups of an inexpensive champagne, cava or prosecco, or dark rum, or brandy. You could also add a few shots of vodka.

Make Ahead Instructions: This is a great drink to make in advance. You can make all of it, except for adding the ginger soda or champagne, a day ahead of time.

Nutrition

Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.4mg

I originally shared this recipe November 2016. Updated December 2020 and December 2023.