Simple Holiday Punch for the Entire Family (Non Alcoholic)
Throughout the holiday season, there are a few recipes that are featured at every one of our family gatherings. This non-alcoholic Christmas punch recipe is one the whole family looks forward to. While it is certainly served at every Christmas dinner, it’s the perfect holiday drink throughout the winter season, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. Best of all, it’s simple to make and uses real fruit juices. The simple ingredients in this festive drink, make it a favorite holiday tradition!
Festive Serving Ideas
We tend to be pretty laid back when it comes to presentation at our holiday parties. I serve this delicious punch in a large punch bowl. For a small gathering, my favorite is a vintage punch bowl given to me by my grandmother. Made by Anchor Hocking, the set is called the Arlington and originally came with 8 cups and a ladle. While some of the original pieces are missing, this pretty punch bowl is perfect for serving holiday drinks. In our large family, personalized solo cups are our go-to holiday serving preference.
This punch is easy to garnish with fresh cranberries or an ice ring. Use the bottom of a bundt pan to make a simple ice ring. I prefer to use the actual cranberry punch mixture in an ice ring, minus the ginger ale. Using the punch prevents the ice from watering down the punch as the ice ring melts. To make it pretty, add crushed pineapple, pineapple rings, or additional cranberries. Please note, that fresh mint leaves look pretty in an ice ring, however, I don’t like the mint flavor it adds to the punch. Once frozen, run the bundt pan under some warm water and add the ice ring just before serving.
Another alternative to ice cubes is fruit garnishes. Freeze fresh cranberries and add to the punch when serving. Even orange slices look lovely floating in the punch bowl or beverage dispenser.
If you are serving this festive punch in glasses rather than a punch bowl, garnish the edge of the glass with fresh fruit, such as wedges of fresh pineapple. Sugaring the edges of the glass is always pretty but this punch is pretty sweet on its own.
Ingredients you’ll need
The best thing about this easy party punch recipe is it uses real fruit juices and easy to find ingredients.
Here is what you’ll need:
64 ounces
cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
64 ounces
pineapple juice, chilled
2 to 3 cups
cane sugar
2 tablespoons
almond extract
2 liters
ginger ale, chilled
Garnish with an ice ring, fresh cranberries, or wedges of fresh pineapple.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Prior to making the punch, chill the juices and ginger ale. Once cold, mix juices in a large bowl, pitcher or pot.
Step 2: Add sugar according to your personal preference. I tend to sweeten less, finding that 2 cups of cane sugar is more than sufficient. However, if you prefer a sweeter holiday punch, added sugar can be increased to 3 cups. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step 3: Now for the secret ingredient! Almond extract added to this punch gives it a unique flavor. Don’t skip it!
Step 4: Keep chilled until ready to serve, add chilled ginger ale according to your personal preference.
Serving Tip
I prefer to mix the juices, sugar, and almond extract the day before. Then in just a matter of minutes, the prepared juices, combined with the ginger ale are ready to serve.
Extra Holiday Spirit
If you are serving this at an adults-only party, feel free to spike the punch bowl with your favorite alcohol rather than ginger ale. When serving at a family party, choose a few of your favorite alcoholic beverages and allow guests to spike each glass as it’s served.
Cranberry Holiday Punch
Ingredients
- 64 ounces chilled cranberry juice cocktail
- 64 ounces chilled pineapple juice
- 2 to 3 cups cane sugar
- 2 tablespoon almond extract
- 2 liters ginger ale chilled.
Instructions
- Combine juices and sugar in a large bowl or jug. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add almond extract and stir to combine. Keep cold until ready to serve. When ready to serve, add ginger ale to taste. Garnish with fresh cranberries or pineapple wedges.
Easy Holiday Punch Recipe
Our holiday celebrations aren’t the same without this delicious holiday punch. We love it so much, that my niece shared this recipe with a friend who used it as her signature wedding cocktail! The combination of cranberry juice and sweet flavors of real pineapple juice, along with the perfect amount of fizz with your favorite bubbly makes it the perfect holiday punch recipe!
Did you make this recipe?
Mention us @kowalski.mountain or tag us using #kowalskimountain so we can see your creations! You can also leave a comment below!
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About the Author: Barbra-Sue Kowalski grew up on a small hobby farm. She was always drawn to farm life, however, she was stuck in an urban life far from her roots. Barbra-Sue was a single mom for 13 years, raising her 3 children on her own. She met Philip in 2018 and they married in 2021. Between the two of them, they have 5 grown children and 5 grandchildren. These empty nesters are following their dreams! As they both turn 50, they are building their off-grid homestead to live the life that they dream about. Learn more about Philip and Barbra-Sue here. Contact them here. To leave a comment on this post, please scroll down.
