Christmas Punch Mocktail
Hosting a holiday party just got easier with this Christmas Punch Mocktail, an easy festive beverage that packs all the Christmas flavors into one non-alcoholic beverage. Perfect for kids and guests of all ages, this holiday mocktail punch comes together quickly with the flavors of cranberry, plums, apple, and ginger!
Let’s say you’re hosting an epic Christmas party, but you want an option without alcohol. That’s usually what happens in our house, as we’re not big drinkers, which is why we love Thanksgiving Punch so much! Enter this easy fruit punch made with the essence of Christmas flavor with no alcohol!
Christmas themed mocktails are an inclusive way to cater to all guests at your holiday gatherings, ensuring that those who are sober or prefer not to partake in alcohol can still raise a glass in celebration. One of the best Christmas mocktails is this vibrant and easy-to-make Christmas punch, which serves as a show-stopping centerpiece in your punch bowl!
When considering what to add to cranberry juice to elevate it for the holiday season, try a splash of ginger ale for effervescence and a dash of cinnamon for a hint of spice. Fresh orange slices are a classic pairing with cranberry, adding a fresh zest that cuts through the sweetness.
These ingredients come together to create a Christmas punch mocktail that’s both visually appealing and deliciously refreshing. It’s a merry way to ensure that every guest can indulge in the joy of the holiday toast, and can be customized in many different ways! I’m sure this will be come one of the best Christmas mocktail recipes you’ll make again and again!
🍊 Holiday Mocktail Punch Ingredients
- Cranberry Juice – Provides the base of this holiday mocktail punch, offering a deep red color and a balance of sweet and tart flavors that are quintessential for the Christmas season.
- Ginger Ale – Introduces a pleasant effervescence and a subtle ginger warmth, enhancing the punch with its fizzy texture and slightly spicy taste.
- Sliced Oranges – Contribute a bright, citrusy note that complements the cranberry orange flavor while adding a festive and colorful visual appeal.
- Sliced Plums – Bring a sweet and juicy element with a touch of winter stone fruit flavor, doubling as a charming garnish that floats beautifully in the punch bowl.
- Ground Cinnamon – Infuses the punch with a warming, spiced aroma that’s reminiscent of holiday desserts.
- Rosemary Sprigs – Serve as an aromatic garnish that not only looks elegant but also imparts a subtle piney scent.
- Granulated Sugar – Used to rim the glasses, providing a frosty, snow-like effect on the presentation while adding a sweet crunch with every sip.
🥤How To Make Non-Alcoholic Christmas Punch
This festive virgin Christmas punch comes together in just a few easy steps:
1️⃣ Prepare the fruit: Slice the oranges and plums into slices saving some for garnish and some for adding to the punch.
2️⃣ Mix the Christmas beverage: In a large gallon container, add cranberry juice or pomegranate juice with 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and whisk until the cinnamon is fully combined.
3️⃣ Stir in the ginger ale: To the cranberry and cinnamon juice, pour in the ginger ale and stir gently to combine. This step should be completed right before serving to ensure the fizz stays in the drink.
4️⃣ Add the fruit: Add the sliced fruit to the punch, give it a quick stir.
5️⃣ Garnish the punch: Rim your glass with sugar, pour in the Christmas Punch and add a sprig of rosemary for garnish and color. Garnish with any extra orange or plum slices.
🍹Christmas Punch With Alcohol
Need a Christmas Punch with a bit of booze? There are two ways to turn this drink into an alcoholic Christmas Punch.
- With Champagne: Cut the amount of ginger ale in half and replace with one bottle of dry champagne or prosecco
- With Whisky or Vodka: Add about 6 shots of your favorite whisky to the punch and stir to combine. For an extra sweet treat, use honey whisky.
Leave the champagne and whisky chilled on the table so your guests can add as much alcohol as they like and then fill the rest with Christmas Punch.
🍍Mocktail Christmas Flavor Variations
- Pomegranate Christmas Punch: Swap out cranberry juice for pomegranate juice to introduce a deep, rich flavor and a boost of antioxidants, adding an exotic twist to your Christmas mocktail.
- Pineapple Twist: For a tropical flair, mix in pineapple juice, which will add a sweet, tangy profile, contrasting nicely with the ginger ale’s spice.
- With Sprite: Replace ginger ale with Sprite to make this Christmas punch, adding a lemon-lime zing that brightens the drink and pairs wonderfully with the citrus notes from the orange slices. You can also use 7UP, Starry, or Sierra Mist.
- With Apple Cider: Use apple cider in place of cranberry juice for a cozy, spiced variant. For even more effervescence, use sparkling apple cider.
❔FAQ
How do I keep the punch carbonated throughout the party?
To maintain the fizz in your punch, add the ginger ale or Sprite just before guests arrive and consider serving it over a large ice block instead of individual cubes to slow down dilution. If you need to refresh the carbonation during the event, have an extra bottle of soda on hand to top up the punch bowl as needed.
What can I use if I don’t have fresh cranberries for garnish?
If fresh cranberries are unavailable, frozen cranberries make a great alternative and can also help keep the punch cold. Alternatively, you can use other festive garnishes like pomegranate arils or citrus slices to add color and interest to the drink.
Can this Christmas punch be made in advance?
Yes, you can mix all the non-carbonated ingredients ahead of time and refrigerate. Add the ginger ale or Sprite and garnish right before serving to ensure the punch is fizzy and fresh.
How can I make this punch sweeter or less sweet?
Adjust the sweetness of the punch by adding a simple syrup to sweeten or a bit more citrus juice to reduce the sweetness. Taste as you go to find the perfect balance for your preference.
🍸More Easy Holiday Drink Recipes
Christmas Punch
Equipment
- 1 Punch Bowl or pitcher
Ingredients
- 16 oz Cranberry Juice
- 67 oz Ginger Ale (or ginger beer) 2 liters
- 2 Orange sliced
- 2 Plums sliced
- ½ cup Cranberries fresh or frozen
- ⅛ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 10 Rosemary Sprigs for garnish
- ⅓ cup Granulated Sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit: Slice the oranges and plums into slices saving some for garnish and some for adding to the punch.
- Mix the Christmas beverage: In a large gallon container, add cranberry juice or pomegranate juice with 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon and whisk until the cinnamon is fully combined.
- Stir in the ginger ale: To the cranberry and cinnamon juice, pour in the ginger ale and stir gently to combine. This step should be completed right before serving to ensure the fizz stays in the drink.
- Add the fruit: Add the sliced fruit to the punch, give it a quick stir.
- Garnish the punch: Rim your glass with sugar, pour in the Christmas Punch and add a sprig of rosemary for garnish and color. Garnish with any extra orange or plum slices.
Notes
- Pomegranate Christmas Punch: Swap out cranberry juice for pomegranate juice to introduce a deep, rich flavor and a boost of antioxidants, adding an exotic twist to your Christmas mocktail.
- Pineapple Twist: For a tropical flair, mix in pineapple juice, which will add a sweet, tangy profile, contrasting nicely with the ginger ale’s spice.
- With Sprite: Replace ginger ale with Sprite to make this Christmas punch, adding a lemon-lime zing that brightens the drink and pairs wonderfully with the citrus notes from the orange slices. You can also use 7UP, Starry, or Sierra Mist.
- With Apple Cider: Use apple cider in place of cranberry juice for a cozy, spiced variant. For even more effervescence, use sparkling apple cider.
I love this recipe so much! Can’t wait to make it for Christmas!
I made this on Christmas and it was a hit! Everyone loved it! I couldn’t find decent plums anywhere so I just used apples and it worked out great. Wish I took a picture cause it was so pretty! 10/10 would recommend!!
Thank you so much!