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Holiday Punch is our favorite festive party drink, perfect for Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, or Christmas celebrations! This bright and bubbly vodka punch is made with the season’s favorite flavors like cranberry, orange, apple cider, and ginger. It’s one of our very favorite drinks for the holidays and after one sip, you’ll taste why!
Why We Love This Christmas Punch Recipe
We love serving a fun party punch when we have people over for the holidays. It just makes us happy!
- Big-Batch. This recipe easily serves 14 people as written.
- Fruity. The combination of cranberry juice, orange juice, and sparkling apple cider is fruity and refreshing.
- Easy. There’s virtually zero prep, and it comes together in just 10 minutes!
Non Alcoholic Holiday Punch
Yes! If you want an alcohol-free punch for your Christmas or holiday party, simply skip the liquor when mixing everything together. The mix of juices, cider, and ginger ale tastes delicious, and makes an easy party punch that everyone (even the kids) can enjoy.
How to Make Ahead
You can make this holiday punch recipe ahead of time and store it in the fridge, so it’s ready for your Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s party. When mixing ingredients together, leave out the sparkling apple cider until the very last minute or else it will fall flat. Right before serving, stir in cold sparkling cider–this ensures the bubbly zip will be there for your guests!
How to Store
If you have any of this cranberry orange Christmas punch left over after your holiday party, store it in the fridge. I recommend pouring it into pitchers or containers with lids, or just covering the punch bowl with plastic wrap. Keep it for up to 3 days. It will lose its bubbly carbonation from the cider, but it will still taste the same.
Serving Suggestions
This cranberry holiday punch pairs well with all of the best Christmas and Thanksgiving appetizers, New Year’s Eve finger foods, and party dishes. I love to serve it with cocktail meatballs, cheeseball bites, cranberry chicken wings, or this orange cranberry cheese ball.
More Punch Recipes To Make This Holiday Season:
- Orange Cranberry Sangria
- Festive Snow Punch (Non-Alcoholic)
- Ice Cream Party Punch
- Pumpkin Pie Punch
- Apple Cider Punch
- Cranberry Limeade Champagne Punch
5-Star Review
“I made this as a trial run for Christmas. Since it was the kids and me testing it we made the non-alcoholic version. It was great. For Christmas I’m going to make two versions, one with, and one without. Thanks for a great idea.” – Edwina
Holiday Punch Recipe
Ingredients
- 32 ounces cranberry juice (1 large bottle)
- 16 ounces orange juice (2 cups)
- 750 milliliters sparkling apple cider (1 bottle)
- 2 liters ginger ale (1 large bottle)
- 8 ounces good quality vodka (1 cup)
Optional Garnishes
- Orange slices and fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into a punch bowl and stir well to combine. Top with orange slices and fresh cranberries.32 ounces cranberry juice, 16 ounces orange juice, 750 milliliters sparkling apple cider, 2 liters ginger ale, 8 ounces good quality vodka, Orange slices and fresh cranberries
- Pour over ice to serve.
- Enjoy!
Becky’s Tips
- Non-Alcoholic Variation: For a non-alcoholic version, simply leave out the alcohol. It’s just as delicious and great for guests of all ages!
- I recommend using 100% pure cranberry juice. This is the base of the punch, giving it a sweet and tart flavor. You can use cranberry juice cocktail, but it will be much sweeter because of the added sugars.
- You can substitute regular apple cider or apple juice, but it will be missing that fizziness.
- You can also substitute sparkling grape juice, but the flavor will be slightly different.
- Throw some fresh orange slices and fresh cranberries (or sugared cranberries) into the punch bowl to dress it up for Christmas parties.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Holiday Punch Step by Step
Make the Punch: Pour 32 ounces of cranberry juice, 16 ounces of orange juice, a 750-milliliter bottle of sparkling apple cider, a 2-liter bottle of ginger ale, and 8 ounces of vodka into a punch bowl and stir well to combine. Top with orange slices and fresh cranberries.
Serve the Punch: Ladle individual servings over ice. If you’re feeling spunky, add a bit more vodka.
Can I use sparkling wine instead of sparkling cider?
Hi Umi, that should work just fine, although it may turn out less sweet!
In case no one wants to consume high fructose corn syrup found in typical ginger ale, I recommend subbing with sparking lime seltzer, ginger tea bags (read the label to make sure the only ingredient is ginger rhizome).
Hi Megan, great tip! There are also a number of brands that don’t use high fructose corn syrup, or ginger beer is another great option with a stronger ginger flavor!
Hi! I’m planning to make this for our holiday party that we’re hosting! Any suggestion on an ice-cream or sorbet that I could add to this punch? Kids always love ice-cream in their punch!
Thanks!
I would stick to flavors already in it, so a lime or orange sorbet!
Did you use unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail?
Depends if you want something sweeter or a little more bitter!
This was a big hit with the adults! But we doubled the vodka (and some added more to their glasses).
Thanks for sharing, Jamie!
Wow, Becky, I rarely write a recipe review, but your Easy Holiday Punch Recipe is a hit at our house this Thanksgiving. Since we have a house full of minors, we skipped the vodka, but the virgin version is delicous. Thank you!
That’s great to hear, Allen!
CAN I REPLACE OR LEAVE OUT THE APPLE CIDER
You can, it may alter the taste! Maybe try using apple juice or something similar!
Did you use pure cranberry juice for this or cranberry juice blend? Thanks
Pure cranberry juice!
Thanks, was great!
I’m so glad to hear that!!
OMG! I have the reputation for making the best punch ever- not just a holiday punch! I have been asked to make this for every party since the holidays. Now I’m making it for a wedding! AAAAA+++++
I love hearing that! Thank you Kari. I’m glad everyone loves it. :)
Looks amazing on the photos! Can’t wait to try it on the next party.
Hope you love it! Cheers :)