Christmas Punch Recipe

Easy, fun and fruity, Christmas Punch recipe. This holiday drink is flavored with cranberry, orange, lime, and my secret ingredient, almond extract! Add rum for a festive spiked cocktail.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, or just a small group of family and friends, our champagne cocktail is a fantastic treat. Serve them up with some linzer cookies for a complete holiday spread.

Every holiday party I host, I try to serve one signature cocktail.

In past years we’ve enjoyed this super fun and fruity, Grinch Cocktail. If you haven’t tried it yet, you totally should!

But after several years, I wanted to mix things up.

Today’s Christmas Punch recipe is super versatile, but so flavorful and delicious as written. Based off my Cranberry Ginger Ale Punch recipe, I think you will love this one!

You can serve it without the alcohol for a virgin drink that is perfect for family enjoyment, or add the alcohol and enjoy!

I’ve also kept it without alcohol and just keep the alcohol on the side, so guests can add as much or as little as they choose.

How to Make a Christmas Punch

STEP 1. In a large, combine cranberry juice, lemon-lime pop, frozen limeade (that has been thawed), and the secret ingredient: Almond Extract!

Do NOT skip the almond extract. It truly adds a depth of flavor that is refreshing and nutty and so tasty!

STEP 2. Add sliced oranges, fresh cranberries, sliced limes, and fresh mint to the pitcher.

STEP 3. To serve, add ice to a glass, add one shot of rum, then fill glass with punch.

PRO TIP: Change this up by serving with a spiced rum, Fireball, or Amaretto!

How to serve Christmas Punch

One of the best things about today’s punch recipe is that it CAN be made ahead of time.

Slice the fruit the night before and add to a large pitcher. Fill pitcher with the cranberry juice, frozen limeade, and almond extract. Allow flavors to mingle overnight.

When ready to serve, add in lemon-lime pop (like Sprite or 7-UP) and alcohol. Garnish with fresh mint.

You can serve today’s punch in a traditional punch bowl if you prefer! To add a festive touch, place sliced fruit and cranberries in a bundt pan filled with cranberry juice. Freeze overnight and place in punch bowl for a lovely holiday touch.

TIPS for serving Christmas Cocktails

Everyone loves a fruity cocktail, but not everyone loves a strong alcoholic drink.

I choose several different alcohols that I think pair nicely with today’s easy punch recipe. When serving to guests, I place the punch in a self serve pitcher, drink dispenser, or punch bowl, with the alcohol on the side.

This way guests can add as much or as little as they prefer.

My favorite pairings for today’s recipe would be:

• Bacardi Rum
• Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
• Fireball
• Amaretto – my favorite, as it pairs well with the almond extract!

Also, be sure to choose a cranberry juice that is 100% juice, not a juice cocktail that usually only contains 10% juice. 

An optional substitute for the lemon-lime soda would be to use a sparkling water (or a flavored sparkling water). This is usually what I do, but not always!

Can I scale this recipe for a bigger crowd or for less people?

ABSOLUTELY.

My easy Christmas Cocktail makes about 10 cups of punch. You can double the recipe for a large crowd (or even triple) and you can halve the recipe if making for a small group.

More Christmas recipes

• Chocolate Mint Pretzel Bites
• English Toffee
• Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
• Candy Cane Cake
• Almond Bars
• Grinch Brownies
• Peanut Butter Fudge
• Soft Molasses Cookies
• Divinity Candy
• Apple Cider Sangria
• Christmas Crack
• Sugar Cookies – perfect no-spread cut out cookies

Easy, fun and fruity, Christmas Punch recipe. This holiday drink is flavored with cranberry, orange, lime, and my secret ingredient, almond extract! Add rum for a festive spiked cocktail.