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Cozy Sparkling Holiday Punch with Ginger Ale

Cozy Sparkling Holiday Punch with Ginger Ale - featured image
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A warm-spiced, gently sweet holiday punch with cranberry, orange, and ginger ale that’s perfect for festive gatherings. This non-alcoholic crowd-pleaser comes together in under 10 minutes and features a beautiful ruby color with floating fruit and spices.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
  • 4 cups ginger ale, chilled
  • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible)
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 3–4 star anise pods
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 large orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced
  • Ice (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ice at least 4 hours ahead or the night before. If using an ice ring or mold, arrange a few cranberries, orange slices, and a cinnamon stick in the bottom of the mold. Fill with water or cranberry juice and freeze until solid.
  2. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine 4 cups cranberry juice, 1 cup orange juice, and 1/2 cup pomegranate juice. Stir gently with a wooden spoon.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup with 2 tablespoons warm water until fully dissolved. Pour into the juice mixture and stir. Taste and add the remaining tablespoon if desired.
  4. Drop in 3-4 cinnamon sticks and 3-4 star anise pods. Let them float and infuse while you prepare the fruit.
  5. Wash 1 cup fresh cranberries and pat dry. Thinly slice 1 large orange and 1 apple into rounds. If desired, toss apple slices with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning.
  6. Place the juice base (with spices and fruit) in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill.
  7. Just before serving, remove the pitcher from the fridge. Gently pour in 4 cups chilled ginger ale. Stir gently from bottom to top a few times to incorporate without losing bubbles.
  8. Carefully add the ice ring or a generous scoop of ice cubes. Ladle into glasses, ensuring each serving gets a few cranberries, a slice of orange or apple, and optionally a star anise pod.

Notes

For a boozy version, add 1-2 cups of bourbon, spiced rum, or vodka to the juice base before chilling. For a lower-sugar version, use diet ginger ale and unsweetened cranberry juice. The punch can be made ahead by mixing the juice base, sweetener, and spices up to 24 hours in advance; add ginger ale and ice just before serving. Use a large ice block or ring to minimize dilution.

Nutrition

Keywords: holiday punch, ginger ale punch, cranberry punch, non-alcoholic punch, Christmas punch, New Year's punch, sparkling punch

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/cozy-sparkling-holiday-punch-with-ginger-ale/