Christmas Punch

Yumna Jawad

Updated Nov 27, 2025

4 from 1 vote

A Christmas punch that tastes like the holidays! Cranberry, orange, pomegranate, and a spiced simple syrup poured over fruity festive ice.

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Comments
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Easy Christmas punch recipe!

This Christmas punch started out as more of an afterthought than a plan. Do you remember that whole “stuff in ice/fruit ice cube” craze a few years back? (Well, I jumped on that bandwagon, and I’m still into it.) My kids think they’re the coolest thing ever (pun intended), so I’ve been finding excuses to make them every holiday season. That’s actually how this Christmas punch came to life. I needed a drink as fun as the ice. Now, it’s a staple at our holiday get-togethers.

I like to use a blend of cranberry, pomegranate, and orange juice, in my Christmas punch with just a little “hint” of warm spice from a cinnamon-ginger simple syrup. It’s not too sweet, and the club soda adds just the right amount of fizz!

Happy Cooking!
– Yumna

Christmas Punch Ingredients

Ingredients for recipe in individual dishes: orange pieces and slices, fresh mint, pomegranate arils, cinnamon and sliced ginger, water, pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, ice and sugar.

Festive Ice

  • Pomegranate Seeds: I usually cut and seed my own pomegranates, but you can also look for cups of pre-packaged seeds (sometimes called arils) to use. Cranberries or raspberries will also work!
  • Mint: I love using fresh mint in this punch, but if it’s not your thing, swap it for rosemary, or just leave it out.
  • Oranges: I usually go for medium-sized naval oranges, but tangerines or blood oranges are great substitutes, too.

Simple Syrup

For help, read my tips on how to make simple syrup at home.

  • Sugar: White granulated sugar is my go-to but honey or maple syrup will work, too.
  • Water: Room temperature tap water is best!
  • Seasoning: I like to use cinnamon sticks and fresh ginger to flavor this simple syrup, but powdered spices will work, too.

Punch

  • Orange Juice: I like to use pulp-free for this recipe, but any OJ you have on hand is fine!
  • Cranberry Juice: Try to look for unsweetened cranberry juice (or adjust your simple syrup levels accordingly).
  • Pomegranate Juice: Go for unsweetened if you can! Grape or cherry juice will also work as backups.
  • Club Soda: You can sub in sparkling water or ginger ale as well! Feel free to skip this one if you’re not into the bubbles.

How to Make Christmas Punch

Ice cube trays filled with festive ice ingredients before freezing.
Step 1: Fill two ice cube trays with water, then divide the festive ice ingredients among them.
Ice cube trays filled with festive ice ingredients and water after freezing.
Step 2: Freeze until solid.
Simple syrup ingredients in a small saucepan.
Step 3: Make the simple syrup by combining sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, and fresh ginger in a small saucepan.
After simple syrup cooled with slotted spoon lifting out cinnamon and ginger.
Step 4: Simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and cover the pot, and let it infuse. Once infused, discard cinnamon and ginger.
Juices, simple syrup, and orange slices added to a punch bowl.
Step 5: In a large punch bowl, combine chilled simple syrup, orange juice, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, and orange slices.
Festive ice cubes added to punch in a bowl.
Step 6: Add festive ice cubes.
Christmas punch recipe.

Christmas Punch Recipe

Author: Yumna Jawad
4 from 1 vote
Easy Christmas punch made with cranberry, orange, and pomegranate juice, plus a cinnamon-ginger simple syrup and festive ice cubes with mint and pomegranate.
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Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Freeze Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 20 minutes
Servings10 servings
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Ingredients
 
 

For the Festive Ice:

  • ½ cup pomegranate arils
  • 2 to 3 sprigs fresh mint leaves only
  • 1 orange cut into bite-sized pieces

For the Simple Syrup

  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 to 4 coins of fresh ginger ¼ -inch slices

For the Punch

  • 2 cups orange juice
  • 2 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
  • 2 cups unsweetened pomegranate juice
  • 1 orange thinly sliced

For Serving

  • Ice as needed
  • Club Soda as needed

Instructions

  • Fill two ice cube trays with water, then divide the festive ice ingredients among them. Freeze until solid.
  • Once ice is solid, make the simple syrup by combining sugar, water, cinnamon sticks and fresh ginger in a small saucepan. Set over medium low heat and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and cover the pot and let it infuse for at least 30 minutes. Once infused, strain the syrup into a clean bowl (discard cinnamon and ginger) and chill in the fridge until cool.
  • When ready to serve, in a large punch bowl, combine chilled simple syrup, orange juice, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice and orange slices. Add festive ice cubes.
  • Set out additional ice and club soda on the side. Serve punch individually over ice with a splash of club soda, if desired.

Equipment

Notes

My Top Tip: Chill everything, nobody wants lukewarm punch! I like to make sure my juices, syrup, and even club soda are cold before I mix them. It keeps the punch crisp and stops the ice from melting too fast.
Storage: Pour the leftover punch in a pitcher or airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days. Just be sure to strain out any garnishes like orange slices or herbs before storing so they don’t get soggy or overpower the flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 122kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0.5g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Sodium: 7mg, Potassium: 276mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 28g, Vitamin A: 139IU, Vitamin C: 32mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Did You Make This Recipe?
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Recipe Tips

  1. Chill everything: Nobody wants lukewarm punch! I like to make sure my juices, syrup, and even club soda are cold before I mix them. It keeps the punch crisp and stops the ice from melting too fast.
  2. Take your time with the simple syrup: The cinnamon and ginger in this syrup give the punch a warm holiday flavor, but it needs time to infuse. Make your syrup a day ahead if you can—it’s one less thing to think about later.
  3. Serve your club soda on the side: I always let everyone add their own fizz. Some people love it, some don’t, and this way, everyone gets their perfect glass.
Glass of Christmas punch in a glass with festive ice cubes.

Serving Ideas

FAQs

How do I keep my punch cold without watering it down?

The festive ice cubes help, but you can also freeze some of the juice into regular ice cubes and use those in the punch. This will keep the flavor intact even when the ice melts!

Christmas punch in a glass with an orange slice on the rim.

More Festive Christmas Drink Recipes

4 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Tracie says:

    What alcohol (and how much) would you suggest if we want to add it?

    Reply
    1. Yumna J. says:

      Hi Tracie! I don’t drink so I’m not sure, so sorry!!

      Reply
  2. Judith says:

    Love this recipe

    Reply
    1. Yumna J. says:

      Thank you, Judith!! So happy you love it!

      Reply
  3. Steven Sanderlin says:

    Thank you so much for this recipe! I donโ€™t drink alcohol and would really like to try this for my family. ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป

    Reply
    1. Yumna J. says:

      You’re so welcome, Steven! I hope you and your family enjoy the punch!!

      Reply