If you’re ready to make your holiday gatherings sparkle, this Christmas punch recipe is the perfect way to do it. It’s bright, bubbly, and festive, made with cranberry juice, orange slices, and a hint of cherry for a dazzling red hue that looks gorgeous on the table. Best of all, it’s a non alcoholic Christmas punch, so everyone can enjoy a glass, from kids to adults.
This non alcoholic Christmas punch is a wonderful option when you want a festive beverage that feels special without the spirits. The mix of cranberry juice, lemonade concentrate, and cherry gelatin gives it a sweet-tart balance. The ginger ale adds a gentle fizz that makes every sip refreshing and fun. You can even prepare the base a few hours in advance, then add the ginger ale just before serving to keep the bubbles lively. Garnish with frozen cranberries, orange wedges, or a star of anise to give your holiday punch recipe an elegant touch that looks as good as it tastes.
Serve your holiday punch alongside these adorable Nutter Butter snowman cookies, a no-bake holiday treat that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat.
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Why We Love This Non Alcholic Christmas Punch
- It’s perfect for smaller gatherings.
You don’t need a crowd to enjoy this festive drink! This Christmas punch recipe can easily be halved for an intimate occasion, family movie night, or cozy evening by the tree. - Made with simple ingredients.
Everything you need comes from the pantry, freezer, or local grocery store, cranberry juice, orange slices, lemonade concentrate, and ginger ale. No complicated steps or fancy mixers required! - It’s festive and family-friendly.
This cheerful drink adds color and sparkle to your table while keeping things inclusive for all ages. With its bright flavor and pretty presentation, this Christmas punch recipe always brings a little extra holiday magic. This colorful Christmas jello salad compliments your punch for a cheerful addition to any holiday spread.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Frozen cranberries: If you only have fresh cranberries, just pop them in the freezer overnight. They keep your punch chilled and add a beautiful festive touch.
- Orange slices: Fresh oranges brighten the flavor and make your punch look extra merry.
- Cherry gelatin mix: Adds color and a subtle cherry sweetness that ties everything together.
- Boiling water: Helps dissolve the gelatin completely.
- Cold water: Balances the sweetness and cools the mixture.
- Cranberry juice: Use 100% cranberry juice for a tart flavor or cranberry cocktail for a slightly sweeter taste.
- Lemonade concentrate: Found in the freezer aisle. You can substitute with ¾ cup of regular lemonade if needed.
- Ginger ale: Adds sparkle and a touch of sweetness. For a lighter option, use club soda or sparkling water.
- Star anise: Adds a hint of holiday spice and looks lovely floating on top.
Recipe Variations
- Sparkling pomegranate punch: Swap some of the cranberry juice with pomegranate juice and toss in a handful of pomegranates for extra sparkle and color. Use lemon-lime soda or Sprite instead of ginger ale for a slightly sweeter, bubbly version that kids will love.
- Tropical holiday punch: Give your Christmas punch recipe a sunny vibe by mixing in pineapple juice and a splash of orange juice. This blend mixes beautifully with cranberry juice cocktail for a bright and fruity flavor. If you like things less sweet, use a touch of club soda or reduce any added sweeteners.
- Festive spiked punch: For an adults-only version, turn this non alcoholic Christmas punch into a cocktail by adding a bit of vodka or rum before serving.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Keep a kid-friendly batch separate.
If adding alcohol for adults, set aside a portion of the punch before mixing in spirits. Everyone gets to enjoy the same festive drink, just the way they like it. Just make sure you label each!
Equipment Used in this Recipe
- Punch bowl or 4-quart pitcher
- Small saucepan
Add a nostalgic twist to your dessert table with this rich and fluffy Dr Pepper cake and our simple chocolate mouse cup; everyone will rave about it.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Scale it up smartly.
Hosting a crowd? Double the recipe and store half in the fridge as a backup batch. Refill your punch bowl as needed so every glass tastes fresh and fizzy.
How to Make Holiday Punch Recipe
- Chill everything first. Refrigerate cranberry juice and ginger ale until very cold. Freeze fresh cranberries overnight so they act like little ice cubes and keep this non alcoholic Christmas punch frosty.
- Dissolve the gelatin. Add 1 cup boiling water to a heat-safe bowl. Sprinkle in the 3 oz cherry gelatin while whisking constantly for about 60 seconds, until no granules remain. Let it sit 3–5 minutes to slightly cool.
- Build the base. Whisk in 3 cups cold water and ¾ cup thawed lemonade concentrate until fully combined. Pour in 6 cups chilled cranberry juice and stir gently to blend.
- Transfer the mixture into a punch bowl (or a 4-quart pitcher if space is tight). Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours. This brief rest chills the base deeply and lets flavors mingle, key for a standout holiday punch recipe.
- Prep garnishes. Slice 3 orange rounds into 18 wedges. Keep wedges and frozen cranberries in the fridge/freezer until serving so they stay crisp and cold. If using star anise, set those aside for a pretty, aromatic finish.
- Just before guests arrive, slowly pour in 1 liter chilled ginger ale along the side of the bowl or down a spoon to preserve carbonation. Stir sparinglyto keep that lively fizz.
- Scatter in the frozen cranberries, drop in the orange wedges, and float 5 star anise on top. For a party centerpiece, add an ice ring made from diluted cranberry juice so the flavor won’t get watered down.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Use frozen fruit as ice.
Frozen cranberries or orange wedges keep the punch cold without watering it down. You can also freeze pomegranate seeds into ice cubes for a gorgeous presentation.
Serving Suggestions
This non alcoholic Christmas punch is a festive punch that’s ideal for any holiday party, big or small. Serve it in a large drink dispenser so guests can help themselves, or pour it into a beautiful punch bowl that shows off the cranberries and fresh orange slices for a cheerful pop of color. It’s the kind of fun drink that both kids and adults enjoy, making it perfect for the whole family. The tart flavors of cranberry and citrus bring out the best flavor when paired with savory dishes like turkey tenderloin in Instant Pot, crockpot ham, or creamy casseroles. It also complements classic side dishes such as Instant Pot red mashed potatoes or tater tot casserole with green beans, and adds brightness to appetizers like cheese boards or shrimp cocktail. Pair this holiday punch recipe with warm soups or sweet desserts, think cookies, pies, or festive cakes, for a complete and joyful celebration that even mom will love serving.
Recipe FAQs
You can store the base of this Christmas punch recipe (without the ginger ale) in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just give it a quick stir and add the soda right before serving to keep the fizz fresh. Once the ginger ale is added, it’s best enjoyed within a few hours for the perfect holiday punch recipe texture and taste.
Yes! This Christmas punch recipe can easily be made with reduced added sugar by choosing unsweetened cranberry juice and sugar-free lemonade concentrate. You can also use diet ginger ale or sparkling water for a lighter version that still feels festive and delicious.
Yes, you can prepare the base a day in advance. Just store it covered in the refrigerator and wait to add the ginger ale until you’re ready to serve. This keeps the punch bubbly and fresh.
More Holiday Recipes to Love…
- How to Make Charcuterie Tree
- M and M Christmas Cookies
- Christmas Muddy Buddies
- Christmas Chex Party Mix
If you tried this Christmas punch recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram for more. Thanks for visiting!
Christmas Punch Recipe
Equipment
- punch bowl - or 4 quart pitcher
- small saucepan for boiling water
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen cranberries if using fresh, place in the freezer overnight
- 3 orange slices cut into 6 wedges (for a total of 18 wedges)
- 3 oz cherry gelatin package
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3 cups cold water
- 6 cups cranberry juice chilled
- ¾ cup lemonade concentrate thawed *see notes
- 1 liter ginger ale chilled
Optional
- 5 star of anise for garnish
Instructions
- Carefully place boiling water into a heat safe, medium sized bowl and mix with the gelatin mix.
- Next, stir in cold water, thawed lemonade concentrate and cranberry juice.
- Mix in frozen cranberries, orange wedges, star of anise, and ginger ale prior to serving.
- Serve in a punch bowl or large pitcher.
Notes
- You’ll find thawed lemonade concentrate in your freezer aisle, in tube shaped cartons.
- Keep a kid-friendly batch separate. If adding alcohol for adults, set aside a portion of the punch before mixing in spirits. Everyone gets to enjoy the same festive drink, just the way they like it.
- Hosting a crowd? Double the recipe and store half in the fridge as a backup batch. Refill your punch bowl as needed so every glass tastes fresh and fizzy.
- Frozen cranberries or orange wedges keep the punch cold without watering it down. You can also freeze pomegranate seeds into ice cubes for a gorgeous presentation.
- Sparkling pomegranate punch: Swap some of the cranberry juice with pomegranate juice and toss in a handful of pomegranates for extra sparkle and color. Use lemon-lime soda or Sprite instead of ginger ale for a slightly sweeter, bubbly twist that kids will love.
- Tropical holiday punch: Give your Christmas punch recipe a sunny vibe by mixing in pineapple juice and a splash of orange juice. This blend pairs beautifully with cranberry juice cocktail for a bright and fruity flavor. If you like things less sweet, use a touch of club soda or reduce any added sweeteners.
- Festive spiked punch: For an adults-only version, turn this non alcoholic Christmas punch into a cocktail by adding a bit of vodka or rum before serving. You can also use apple cider in place of some cranberry juice for a cozy, warming note that complements the fruit and spice beautifully.
- You can store the base of this Christmas punch recipe (without the ginger ale) in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just give it a quick stir and add the soda right before serving to keep the fizz fresh. Once the ginger ale is added, it’s best enjoyed within a few hours for the perfect holiday punch recipe texture and taste.
- Prepare the base a day in advance. Just store it covered in the refrigerator and wait to add the ginger ale until you’re ready to serve. This keeps the punch bubbly and fresh.
Nutrition
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