📋 Easy Cranberry Christmas Punch Recipe

cranberry punch with a cranberry ice ring floating on, a ladle in the middle

5 from 7 votes

📋 Easy Cranberry Christmas Punch Recipe

This Cranberry Christmas Punch (with festive cranberry ice ring) is easy to make and perfect for your holiday brunch, dinner or party! It's even more fun with this festive cranberry orange ice ring! Made with only a few ingredients, it's a non- alcoholic punch that can easily be spiked with vodka, if you so desire.

Course beverage, drink

Cuisine American, Canadian, North American

Keyword christmas, cranberry, orange, punch, punch ring

Special Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10

freezing time for mold 14

Total Time 14 10

Servings servings

Calories 79kcal

Author Terri Gilson

Equipment

Ingredients

Punch

3 cups cranberry juice
3 cups orange juice
3 tablespoon fresh lime juice *juice of 2 limes
3 cups sparkling water (lemon or lemon lime flavor)
3 cups ginger ale
1 ½ cups vodka (optional)
4 cups ice or make Cranberry ice ring below

Cranberry Ice Ring for Punch

4 cups water, approximately *this will depend on the capacity of your mold
2 cups frozen cranberries
2 tablespoon orange zest *peel of 1 large orange

US Customary - Metric

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Punch

Combine the cranberry and orange juice, ginger ale, sparkling water and lime juice in a large glass punch bowl or pitcher.
3 cups cranberry juice, 3 cups orange juice, 3 cups sparkling water (lemon or lemon lime flavor), 3 cups ginger ale, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
Then add the ice (or cranberry ice ring, if using). Serve immediately.

Cranberry Ice Ring for Punch

Fill a 4- 6 cup Jello or metal ring mold with ¾ - 1 ½ inch water (depending on the size of your mold. *I have a 5 cup and I fill it 1 inch. Freeze until solid for 6 hours.
4 cups water, approximately
Place 2 cups frozen cranberries and the zest of 1 large orange on the ice.
2 cups frozen cranberries, 2 tbsp orange zest
Fill the mold with water to top.
Freeze until solid (at least 8 hours or overnight)
To remove the ice ring, briefly dip the bottom of the mold in a bowl half-filled with warm water.
Immediately float the ring in the punch.

Notes

Expert Recipe Tips for the Perfect Holiday Punch

The "Cold Start" Rule: For the best results, make sure all your juices, ginger ale, and Bubly are thoroughly chilled for at least 24 hours before mixing. If the liquids are at room temperature, they will melt your beautiful cranberry ice ring in minutes!
Bubly Hack: I use lime-flavored sparkling water (like Bubly) to add an extra layer of citrus and fizz without adding any extra sugar or points. It keeps the cranberry orange punch tasting fresh and "zingy" rather than cloyingly sweet.
The "No-Dilution" Secret: The #1 reason this is the best cranberry punch for a crowd is the ice ring. Regular ice cubes melt too fast and water down the flavor. Because the ice ring is one large block, it melts slowly, keeping the punch concentrated and delicious until the very last cup.
Thrift Store Find: You don't need an expensive mold! Check your local thrift stores for vintage Jello or metal ring molds. I found mine for $3.99, and it works better than any modern plastic version. You could also use an actual ice mold or bundt pan in a pinch!
Make-Ahead Hero: You can make the ice ring up to two weeks in advance. Once it's frozen solid, pop it out of the mold and store it in a gallon-sized freezer bag until party day (or keep it in its mold if you have room). This is the ultimate "Lazy Way" to reduce stress on Christmas morning!

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