A mug of hot Wassail, with a cinnamon stick, apple slice, and orange slice on top of the mug.

Christmas Punch (with or without Alcohol)


This easy Christmas Punch recipe with sparkling cranberry and apple flavors is the perfect homemade beverage for a holiday gathering! Adding alcohol or leaving it non-alcoholic makes it great for kids and adults alike.  

Looking for more Christmas recipes? Try my Homemade Caramels, Christmas Cornflake Wreaths, Caramel Hot Chocolate, and Peppermint Brownies!

A large glass pitcher filled with Christmas Punch, and garnished with cranberries and limes.

Why I love this recipe:

  • Quick – Only 15 minutes from start to finish for the perfect Christmas beverage to compliment your meal!
  • Festive – This bright red punch will add the perfect holiday touch of color and make it feel like Christmas.
  • Delicious – Everyone always raves about this drink when I serve it. It’s refreshing, full of flavor, and an absolute crowd pleaser! We look forward to it every year!

Ingredients Needed:

  • Fresh Cranberries
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Apple Cider
  • Cranberry Juice
  • Ginger Ale
  • Lime
  • Water & Ice
All the ingredients needed to make Christmas Punch: sugar, ginger-ale, cranberry juice, cranberries, apple cider, and water.

How to make Christmas Punch:

Combine Ingredients: Pour the water, sugar, and cranberries in a small saucepan over medium heat. 

A saucepan with water, sugar, and cranberries to make the best Christmas Punch.

Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop. Pour into a container and allow it to cool to room temperature, or chill in the fridge until cooled.

A bowl of cranberries, sugar, and water after being cooked with the cranberries popped open.

Add Juice: Pour cooled cranberry syrup in a pitcher, followed by apple cider, cranberry juice and lime juice and chill until ready to serve. 

A homemade cranberry syrup in a large glass pitcher with apple cider, cranberry juice, and lime juice being added to it.

Once ready to serve, pour in Ginger-Ale and ice.

The best Christmas Punch with ginger-ale being added to it.

Serve this old fashioned Christmas punch with thinly sliced lime, apples, or oranges floating on top, or even a cinnamon stick to add to the festive appearance (optional). Add them all last so they don’t add any bitter flavors to the drink.

A small glass filled with easy Christmas Punch and topped with cranberries and a lime.

Make Ahead and Instructions:

To Make Ahead: The whole Christmas drink recipe can be made 1-2 days ahead of time, just don’t add the ginger-ale, ice, or any garnishes until ready to serve. Store covered in the fridge.

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Recipe

  • Combine the water, sugar and cranberries in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop. Pour into a tupperware and allow to cool to room temperature, or chill in the fridge until cooled.

  • Add cooled cranberries to a pitcher. Add apple cider, cranberry juice and lime juice and chill until ready to serve. 

  • Once ready to serve, add ginger-ale and ice.

  • Optional: Serve with thinly sliced lime, apples, or oranges floating on top, or even a cinnamon stick to add to the festive appearance. Add them all last so they don’t add any bitter flavors to the drink.

To Add Alcohol: Instead of 3 cups Ginger ale, use 1 ½ cups Ginger ale and 1 ½ cups of an inexpensive champagne, cava or prosecco, or dark rum, or brandy. You could also add a few shots of vodka. Make Ahead Instructions: This is a great drink to make in advance. You can make all of it, except for adding the ginger soda or champagne, a day ahead of time.

Calories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 146mgFiber: 1gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 34IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.4mg

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I originally shared this recipe November 2016. Updated December 2020.

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