Let Me Tell You About the Holiday Punch That Actually Got Me Invited Back
So here’s a story for you: a couple of Decembers ago, I volunteered (volunteered! what was I thinking?) to bring a non-alcoholic party punch to my aunt’s big holiday shindig. In my head, it was going to be a low-key “dump-in-a-bowl and be done” thing. But as usual, things got out of hand. I spilled juice everywhere, dropped an orange on the dog (she forgave me), and almost mistook cranberry sauce for juice (don’t do that). But—and here’s the magic—it turned out so good that now I get asked to bring it every year. Even my grumpy cousin said it was great (he was probably just thirsty, but hey, a win’s a win!).
Why You’ll Love This (Or At Least Be Asked To Make It Again)
I make this punch when I want something a little tart, a little sweet, and very, very easy (because honestly, the rest of Christmas is enough work, right?). My family goes berserk for this, especially because there’s, well, no booze—so the kids can guzzle it in buckets. Once, I tried skipping the orange slices, thinking nobody would care—wrong. Nearly started a mutiny. And if you’re wondering if it stains—let’s just say my tablecloth wouldn’t mind if I made apple cider instead one year.
What You’ll Need (But Feel Free To Mix It Up)
- 2 cups cranberry juice (I use the regular kind, but honestly, cran-apple works if that’s what’s in the fridge)
- 2 cups orange juice (store-bought is fine; fresh is fancy, but who has the time?)
- 1 cup sparkling water or lemon-lime soda (Sierra Mist or Sprite, your call—my grandmother insists on the brand name, but I don’t taste the difference)
- 1/2 cup pomegranate juice (optional, but wow does it look festive)
- Orange slices, for garnish (don’t skip these, trust me)
- Fresh cranberries (a handful, or more if you like to show off)
- Ice cubes
Okay, So Here’s How You Throw It Together
- Grab your biggest pitcher or punch bowl (the one in the back of the cabinet that’s probably got a chip in it—nobody notices after the first glass).
- Pour in the cranberry juice, orange juice, and pomegranate juice. Splash a little of each out of the bowl if you’re me. Actually, maybe do this part over the sink.
- Give it a swirl with a big spoon; this is usually when I sneak a taste. If it’s too tart, add a splash more OJ. If it’s too sweet, more cranberry or even a squeeze of lemon—I’ve found it’s all about balance (or whatever’s in the fridge).
- Just before serving, top off with sparkling water or soda. Quick tip: sparkling water if you want it less sweet (and if your guests are the health-nut crowd—hey cousin Ben), soda if you want it to taste like liquid candy.
- Add ice, orange slices, and cranberries. Don’t worry if it looks a bit weird—those floating berries grow on you.
- Ladle into glasses and hope nobody knocks over the bowl—learned that the sticky way.
Notes I’ve Learned (Usually The Hard Way)
- It’s honestly better if you chill the juices first, so the ice doesn’t water everything down right away. But who remembers ahead of time? Not me.
- Fresh cranberries are mostly for looks. Don’t eat a handful expecting a sweet treat like I did. They’re…bracing.
- Don’t stress if you forgot the pomegranate juice; it’s good but not essential.
Variations: Experiments That Worked (Some…Not So Much)
- Swapped in ginger ale for the soda once—good, but a bit spicy for Aunt Marge (she’s sensitive).
- Used blood orange juice instead of regular OJ—honestly, I loved the color, but the flavor was a tad strong, like a citrus punch to the face (in a good way?)
- Tried blending in some pineapple juice, but it overpowered the cran. Maybe use less if you go this route.
Once I tried adding rosemary sprigs for a fancy touch. Nope. Tasted like a Christmas tree. Lesson learned!
What If You Don’t Own A Fancy Punch Bowl?
No worries—just use a big mixing bowl or even a Dutch oven (which is what I did the first time, and it worked fine; just felt a bit odd serving punch with a ladle meant for soup!). Or, if you’re feeling fancy, some people serve these in big mason jars (saw it once on The Kitchn’s party punch guide and felt equal parts awe and skepticism).
Storing Leftovers (If You Even Have Any)
If you manage to have leftovers (rare at my place), just pour them into a pitcher and stick in the fridge. Should keep happily for about 2 days, though honestly, in my house, it never lasts more than a day. That said, if the ice melts and you come back to it, give it a quick stir; sometimes things separate and look a bit odd, but it’s still tasty!
How We Serve It (And Why My Sister Thinks She’s Fancy)
I usually serve it with a few orange slices floating in each glass. My sister, in peak holiday-mode, likes to rim the glasses with sugar for “drama,” as she calls it. The kids just want lots of cranberries to fish out after. One year my brother dropped in a cinnamon stick—no one liked it, but we still laugh about it.
Stuff I’ve Learned: Don’t Skip These Steps (Trust Me)
- I once tried to rush the chilling step and dumped in a bucket of ice. Big mistake. Watered it down; punch tasted like sadness and tap water.
- Don’t add the soda until right before serving. I did it way too soon the first time—went flat. Flat punch is just…eh.
FAQ: Real Questions From My (Slightly Nosy) Relatives
- Can I make this spiked? Oh, for sure—add a cup of vodka or prosecco (but then keep it away from the little ones, obviously!)
- Do I need fresh-squeezed orange juice? Nope, but if you’re trying to impress the in-laws, it does make it taste brighter. I won’t judge you either way.
- What if I hate cranberries? I’d say swap to apple juice, though it’s not really the same punch. Cranberry is kinda the point. But hey, “you do you.”
- Will this stain my couch? Um, probably. Get those coasters out—and good luck!
- Can I double or triple the recipe? Yes, and you should. Or just drink two glasses at a time (kidding…sort of).
- If you want another punch idea, actually the Simply Recipes cranberry punch is pretty tasty too, for what it’s worth!
Anyway, that’s my rambly, slightly chaotic holiday punch story. If you try this, let me know how it went—or if you dropped an orange on your dog too. Happy holidays and messy kitchens, friends!
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberry juice, chilled
- 3 cups orange juice, chilled
- 2 cups sparkling water or lemon-lime soda, chilled
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- Ice cubes, as needed
Instructions
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1In a large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, orange juice, and fresh lime juice.
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2Add sparkling water or lemon-lime soda to the bowl and stir gently to mix.
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3Add fresh cranberries, orange slices, and lime slices to the punch for garnish.
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4Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour in the punch mixture.
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5Serve immediately and enjoy your festive Orange Cranberry Holiday Punch.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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