Cranberry Punch Recipe
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A festive cranberry punch recipe made with ginger ale, orange slices, star anise, and fresh cranberries. If I’m hosting a Thanksgiving or Christmas party, I love serving this cranberry punch in a big punch bowl. A little vodka quickly turns it into a boozy spiked beverage, but if you want to keep things family-friendly, it tastes great without alcohol, too!
Cranberry Punch Ingredients
- Cranberry Juice – Regular cranberry juice will make a slightly tarter punch; opt for cranberry juice cocktail if you prefer a sweeter beverage. Save the leftover juice to make cranberry jelly candies, or a cranberry simmer pot.
- Ginger Ale – For spice, sweetness, and bubbles! Any brand of ginger ale will work. I tested this recipe with a generic store brand, but classics like Schweppes or Canada Dry are always a safe bet. If you like a sweeter, more cranberry-forward punch, you could use cranberry ginger ale, or even add a splash of cranberry simple syrup.
- Oranges – You’ll need fresh-squeezed orange juice for the punch, plus one more thinly sliced navel orange to float on top. If you purchase a bag of lemons, you can use the extras for mulled white wine or dried orange peels.
- Cranberries – Fresh or frozen cranberries will both work for decorating this festive punch. They usually come in big bags, so save the extras—you can make sugared cranberries, cranberry muffins, cranberry bread, or this cranberry curd tart.
- Star Anise – Star anise is a star-shaped spice known for its licorice-like scent and flavor and a common ingredient in Asian cuisines. (You’ll need 10-12 stars for the bunch; use the rest to make mulled wine or a fragrant simmer pot!)
Making Christmas Punch with Alcohol
You can keep this recipe alcohol-free, or turn it into a Christmas punch with alcohol for a boozy, grown-up beverage. For spiked punch, vodka is my go-to alcohol for spiking this cranberry punch. Start with 60 milliliters (1/4 cup) then taste and adjust as desired. You can use plain vodka or a flavored vodka such as lime, lemon, or cranberry.
Cranberry Punch Recipe
- Total Time5 minutes
A festive cranberry punch recipe with ginger ale, oranges, star anise, and fresh cranberries.
Ingredients
1.4 liters unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail (48 fluid ounces; 6 cups), see notes
1.4 liters ginger ale (48 fluid ounces; 6 cups)
60 milliliters fresh-squeezed orange juice (1/4 cup)
1 navel orange, thinly sliced
100 grams fresh or frozen cranberries (about 1 cup)
10-12 whole star anise
For spiked punch:
60 milliliters vodka (1/4 cup), or to taste
Instructions
In a punch bowl or large pitcher, stir together cranberry juice, ginger ale, orange juice, and vodka, if using.
Float orange slices, cranberries, and star anise on top.
Serve in a punch bowl, or ladle into individual glasses for serving.
Notes
Recipe can be doubled or tripled.
You can make this recipe with unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail. The latter will make a sweeter punch.
Garnishing and Serving Christmas Cranberry Punch
This punch comes with built-in garnishes (orange slices, cranberries, and star anise) that add flavor and serve as a cheerful decoration. If you want to add your own spin, float other citrus slices (lemons, limes); cinnamon sticks; or fresh rosemary. Or to garnish individual glasses, try sprigs of mint or sugared rosemary, or a skewer of sugared cranberries.
I recommend serving your punch in a big glass, ceramic, or plastic punch bowl, along with a ladle and glasses so guests can help themselves as they please.
Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions
Because the carbonation in the ginger ale only retains its fizz for a couple of hours, I recommend waiting until just before party time to whisk everything together. It takes less than five minutes from start to finish.
Other Cranberry Recipes You Might Enjoy
Sugared Cranberries
Festive Cranberry Jelly Candy
Cranberry Compote
Chocolate Cranberry Orange Muffins
Cranberry Curd Tart
Brie and Cranberry Brownies
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
