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Fresh Holiday Party Punch

Featured in Drinks for Every Season.

Get ready to be the party hero with this crowd-pleasing punch! Bright and bubbly, it combines tangy lemonade, sweet-tart cranberry juice, and fresh orange juice into one refreshing drink. The sparkling soda adds just the right amount of fizz, while floating fresh fruit makes it look as good as it tastes. It's the perfect balance of sweet and citrusy - not too sugary, but totally satisfying. Super easy to throw together for any gathering, from summer barbecues to holiday parties. Make a big batch and let guests serve themselves!
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Aisha
Updated on Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:22:43 GMT
A large glass bowl of fruit punch garnished with cranberries and orange slices, placed on a white plate with fresh oranges in the background. Pin it
A large glass bowl of fruit punch garnished with cranberries and orange slices, placed on a white plate with fresh oranges in the background. | www.cookingflavor.com

Sparkling Holiday Punch Your Guests Will Love

Every time I serve this gorgeous holiday punch at my gatherings people crowd around the bowl asking for my recipe. It's a magical mix of fruity juices and bubbles that looks as festive as it tastes. I've perfected this recipe over countless family celebrations and it never fails to bring smiles and compliments.

The Perfect Party Drink

This punch has become my go to party drink because it's so simple yet looks absolutely stunning in a crystal bowl. The blend of cranberry orange and lemonade creates this amazing sweet tart flavor that gets even better with the sparkle of Sprite. I make it for everything from Thanksgiving dinner to holiday brunches and it's always a hit.

What You'll Need

  • Base: 4 cups cranberry juice, 8 cups prepared lemonade, 4 cups orange juice, 2 liters Sprite or ginger ale
  • Garnish: 2 cups fresh cranberries, 2 oranges sliced thin, rosemary sprigs, optional mint leaves
  • Ice Cubes: Cranberry juice with frozen cranberries or orange slices

Let's Make the Punch

Prepare Ice Cubes
Fill trays with cranberry juice or water. Add fresh cranberries or small orange slices. Freeze overnight.
Mix the Base
Combine cranberry juice, lemonade, and orange juice in a punch bowl. Stir well and refrigerate for 1–2 hours.
Add Carbonation
Just before serving, pour chilled Sprite or ginger ale into the base. Stir gently to maintain fizz.
Garnish and Serve
Float cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs on top. Add prepared ice cubes. Serve immediately.
A festive punch bowl filled with red fruit, ice, and orange slices, surrounded by scattered cranberries and oranges. Pin it
A festive punch bowl filled with red fruit, ice, and orange slices, surrounded by scattered cranberries and oranges. | www.cookingflavor.com

My Secret Tips

I always keep my ingredients super cold it makes such a difference in keeping the punch fresh without watering it down. My favorite trick is making ice cubes with cranberry juice they look gorgeous and won't dilute the flavor. Sometimes I'll rim the glasses with sugar for extra sparkle or infuse some rosemary into simple syrup for a fancy twist.

Setting Up Your Punch Station

I love creating a little punch station with bowls of fresh garnishes so guests can customize their drinks. Pretty glass cups make it extra special and don't forget long spoons for scooping up those fruit pieces. When I'm hosting a big party I mix up extra juice base and add the Sprite as needed throughout the night.

Making It Ahead

The juice base keeps beautifully in the fridge for a couple days which is such a timesaver during busy holiday prep. Just remember to wait until party time to add the Sprite and garnishes that way everything stays fresh and fizzy. If you have any left over just strain out the fruit and add fresh Sprite when you're ready to serve it again.

Mix It Up

Sometimes I'll use sparkling water instead of Sprite for a lighter version or add a splash of pomegranate juice for extra pop. During Christmas I love floating candy canes in the punch bowl and for New Year's parties I make giant ice blocks with cranberries and orange slices frozen inside it's absolutely stunning.

A Party Must Have

This sparkling punch has become such a beloved part of our family celebrations. It brings together the fresh taste of fruit juices with just the right amount of fizz to create something truly special. Everyone from kids to grandparents loves it and seeing their faces light up when they take that first sip makes me so happy.

A large glass bowl filled with a refreshing red beverage featuring floating cranberries and orange slices, surrounded by scattered orange halves and additional cranberries. Pin it
A large glass bowl filled with a refreshing red beverage featuring floating cranberries and orange slices, surrounded by scattered orange halves and additional cranberries. | www.cookingflavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How many people does this punch serve?
This recipe makes about 18 cups of punch. Following the guideline of 20 ounces per person at parties, it serves roughly 12-15 guests.
→ Can I make this punch ahead of time?
You can mix the juices ahead and chill them. Add the Sprite and garnishes just before serving to keep the fizz fresh. The juice mixture keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days.
→ How can I keep the punch cold without diluting it?
Make ice cubes from the punch mixture or cranberry juice beforehand. You can also float frozen cranberries in the punch to keep it cold without watering it down.
→ Can I use different fruits for garnish?
Fresh berries, lime slices, or lemon wheels work great as alternatives. You can also add mint leaves for extra color and aroma.
→ How do I maintain the carbonation during a party?
Make smaller batches as needed rather than one large batch. Add the Sprite just before serving each batch to keep the fizz fresh and lively.

Holiday Fruit Punch

A sparkling fruit punch that combines tart cranberry, sweet orange, and zesty lemonade. Perfect for holiday gatherings and parties.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
5 Minutes
By: Aicha

Category: Beverages

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 15 Servings (18 cups)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 8 cups lemonade.
02 4 cups cranberry juice.
03 4 cups orange juice.
04 1 (2-liter) bottle Sprite, chilled.
05 1 cup fresh cranberries.
06 1 orange, sliced.

Instructions

Step 01

Combine lemonade, cranberry juice, and orange juice in a large glass punch bowl. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until well chilled.

Step 02

Just before serving, add chilled Sprite and mix gently. Top with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and ice.

Notes

  1. Plan for 20 ounces per person at parties.
  2. Make fresh batches as needed rather than all at once.
  3. Can be stored in fridge for 3-4 days but will lose carbonation.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large punch bowl.
  • Mixing spoon.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • No common allergens.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 120
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
  • Protein: ~