Sparkling Cranberry Orange Christmas Punch — Put some SPARKLE in your holidays with this EASY and FESTIVE punch that everyone loves!! Can be made in strengths ranging from non-alcoholic to knock-you-for-a-punch!!
Table of Contents
Easy Christmas Punch Recipe
Glazed ham, mashed potatoes, and green beans are all well and good on Christmas day, but what about the drinks? Too often, people spend the entire time slaving away in the kitchen, only to forget to put something bubbly on the table.
It’s impossible to forget about this sparkling Christmas punch. I mean, look at those colors!
Champagne and soda are mixed together along with some cranberry and orange juice. You can also make this Christmas punch with vodka if you’re feeling extra festive!
I’ve given detailed tips in the post below, but know that this is a very flexible recipe that can be tweaked to your tastes. Looks like the Christmas season just got even merrier!
Ingredients for Champagne Christmas Punch
This is a very flexible cranberry orange punch recipe and I always recommend adding the various ingredients to taste. If you think it needs more soda, less juice, another half bottle of champagne, or whatever you deem necessary or have on hand, go for it.
Here’s what I put in my spiked Christmas punch:
- Champagne or prosecco (sparkling apple cider ok)
- 7Up, Sprite, or Ginger Ale (diet varieties ok)
- Cranberry or cran-apple juice (diet varieties ok)
- Orange juice
- Fresh cranberries and orange slices
- Flavored vodka, optional for a stronger punch (orange-flavored or whipped vodka are great)
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Christmas Punch
Whether you opt to make this Christmas punch with alcohol or keep it alcohol-free, it’s so quick and easy to make!
- Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher or serving bowl.
- Gently stir to combine.
- Taste the punch to see if you’d like to add more soda, juice, or Champagne (it’s a flexible recipe!).
- Serve!
Recipe FAQs
I recommend something something that’s not too sweet. Don’t go with something that’s in what I would call the ‘dessert bubbly’ category. For me, those are the ones that you have two sips of and say, ok that’s enough. Go with something middle of the road on the sweet-to-dry scale, and also price-wise.
This isn’t the time to break out that $70 bottle of Veuve Clicquot. I mean, you can, but it’s just wasting good champagne in my opinion because it’s going to get mixed with so many other ingredients. Save that bottle for another time.
Nor would I use the absolute cheapest $4.99 on-sale special. That sounds like a hangover waiting to happen.
You can use a rose, but I’d make sure it isn’t already a sweeter rose or the punch will read too sweet after you add the sodas and juices.
Yes! You can make this sparkling Christmas punch non-alcoholic if desired. You can make the punch with sparkling apple cider in place of the champagne or prosecco, noting it will definitely be sweeter than if you use alcohol. You may want to play around with the soda and/or juice ratios depending on your taste preferences. Obviously omit the optional vodka if you’re keeping it non-alcoholic.
Yes, feel free! You’d add vodka in addition to the Champagne for a very strong spiked punch. You can add up to 2 cups of vodka total.
Absolutely! You can use any diet or low-sugar sodas you like.
No, since the spiked punch is made with carbonated soda and Champagne, you need to assemble it just before serving. The punch loses its bubbles over time, and you don’t want to serve your guests flat punch!
Tips for the Best Christmas Champagne Punch
Assemble just before serving: This easy Christmas punch is best made right before serving it so that the carbonation is in full swing.
Chill your ingredients: Use ingredients that have been previously chilled to the punch is ice cold even when it’s first assembled.
To prevent the punch from being watered down: Add ice to individual glasses rather than adding it to the punch bowl. You don’t want to water down the master punch bowl.
If you have time to plan ahead, freezing the cranberry, orange, or pineapple juice in ice cube molds is a great way to prevent it from becoming watered down and the ice cubes made from juice look festive and unique.
Pin This Recipe
Sparkling Christmas Punch
Put some SPARKLE in your holidays with this EASY and FESTIVE punch that everyone loves!! Can be made in strengths ranging from non-alcoholic to knock-you-for-a-punch!!Â
Ingredients
- one 750-milliliter bottle champagne or prosecco (sparkling apple cider may be substituted for a non-alcoholic version)
- one 2-liter bottle 7-Up, Sprite, or Ginger Ale (diet versions may be substituted)
- 32 ounces cranberry or cranapple juice ( I used 5-calorie per serving diet cranberry juice)
- 16 ounces orange or pineapple juice
- fresh orange slices from 1 to 2 oranges
- 1 to 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 to 2 cups flavored vodka (such as orange or whipped-flavored), optional for a stronger punch
- ice, as desired for serving (tip - freeze cranberry or orange juice in ice cube molds rather than using plain ice)
Instructions
- Use ingredients that have already been previously chilled for best taste.
- Combine all ingredients in a large punch or serving bowl.
- Taste the punch and if you think it needs another half bottle of champagne, extra 7Up, extra juice, etc, add it to taste. This is a very flexible recipe.
- I prefer to add ice to individual glasses rather than to the punch bowl as to not allow the punch bowl to become watered down as the ice melts.
- Punch is best made just before serving so it doesn't lose it's carbonation.
Notes
Tip - Freeze orange, pineapple, or cranberry juice into large ice cubes and use those for serving, either in individual glasses or place them in the punch bowl.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 256Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 34mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 4gSugar: 31gProtein: 1g
More Christmas Drink Recipes:
Homemade Baileys Irish Cream — Homemade Baileys Irish Cream comes together 1 minute, with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Rich, creamy, and the flavor is a dead ringer for store-bought!
Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria — Apples, oranges, pomegranate seeds, and cinnamon sticks with sparkling cider are a FUN twist on classic sangria!! So easy! Make it for your next party and everyone will want a refill!!
Santa’s Magic Potion {Eggnog and Baileys} — Have eggnog to use? This drink is smooth, creamy, and puts your ‘nog to great use! Mmm!
Creamy Chocolate Martini with Baileys — Everything is better with Nutella, including these martinis that go down so easily! The Frangelico adds hazelnut, cinnamon, and vanilla notes, while the Baileys Irish Cream provides richness and creaminess.
Winter Pomegranate Punch — A FESTIVE twist on a classic mojito complete with pomegranate juice and pom arils while retaining plenty of fresh mint and of course the rum!! Fast, easy, SO TASTY, and perfect for holiday entertaining!!
This look’s and sounds soo yummy!! I don’t drink champagne so what kind would you suggest?
I discussed this in the post, please re-read.
This punch looks so good! I can’t wait to try it soon!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com