Holiday Punch – The Stay At Home Chef

‘Tis the season for delicious holiday food and drinks! This festive punch is so easy to make, you could almost do it with your eyes closed (but please don’t—we don’t want any spills, ha!). Made with fresh seasonal berries, this Holiday Punch is the perfect addition to your next holiday party. It’s refreshing, easy to make, and a beautiful centerpiece for any holiday tablescape. So, grab your glass and get ready to toast with this holiday punch!

Ready to wow at your holiday party? Add our festive cranberry salsa to your table alongside a Christmas charcuterie spread and make it a showstopper.

Why Our Recipe

Includes cranberry, orange, and blackberry for a refreshing holiday drink.
Crowd-pleasing flavors are ideal for any holiday party or gathering.
Adjust sweetness, add alcohol, or swap ingredients to suit your taste.

An overhead view of a punch bowl filled with holiday punch, with ice cubes, fresh blackberries and orange slices floating at the top.

The perfect holiday punch is a must-have at any festive gathering. It’s easy to make, delicious, and totally customizable. Love cranberry or orange juice? Add a little extra! Prefer a boozy holiday punch? Simply mix in your favorite liquor, like vodka or white rum—no judgment here!

Ingredient Notes

An overhead view of measured and raw ingredients needed to make holiday punch.

Oranges: Use fresh oranges for the best flavor, but store-bought orange juice (no pulp) works in a pinch. You’ll need about 2 cups.
Cranberry Juice: Both 100% cranberry juice and cranberry juice cocktail work well in this recipe. Cranberry juice cocktail is sweeter.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is ideal, but you can substitute it with a sugar alternative—just ensure it’s fully dissolved before serving.
Blackberries: Fresh blackberries are preferred, but frozen ones work too. They will thaw in the punch.
Lemon-Lime Soda: Any brand will do the trick.
Rosemary: Optional, but it adds a festive touch that makes the punch feel extra holiday-like.

Make it Your Own

Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter punch, add more sugar or use cranberry juice cocktail instead of 100% cranberry juice. For a lighter sweetness, reduce the sugar or swap it with a natural sweetener like honey or agave syrup (just be sure to dissolve it thoroughly).

Add Alcohol: Turn this punch into a festive cocktail by mixing in your favorite liquor. Vodka, white rum, or even a splash of champagne or sparkling wine work beautifully. Start with 1 cup and adjust to taste.

Swap Ingredients: Customize the flavors by swapping out fruits or juices. Pineapple juice adds a tropical twist, while pomegranate seeds make a beautiful and festive addition. You can also use raspberries or strawberries instead of blackberries for a different berry flavor.

A crystal glass filled with holiday punch set next to a punch bowl and other glasses.

Fun Garnish Ideas

Take your holiday punch presentation up a notch by rimming each glass with sugar and garnishing with a sprig of rosemary. To rim the glass, dip the edge into a shallow plate of orange juice or water, then press it into a plate of granulated sugar for a sparkling finish, almost like snow.

For an easy garnish, tuck a fresh rosemary sprig into each glass. Not only does it look beautiful, but it also adds a subtle, fragrant hint of the holidays. Want to go the extra mile? Lightly mist the rosemary with water and roll it in sugar for a frosted effect that will wow your guests!

Making This Ahead of Time

For the freshest taste and fizz, prepare the punch a few hours before your event. Combine all the ingredients except the lemon-lime soda and ice, then refrigerate. Add the soda and ice right before serving to keep the berries fresh and the soda fizzy. Preparing it too early can cause the berries to become soggy and the soda to lose its fizz.