Name: Christmas Punch Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 15
Cuisine: Drinks
Ingredients: 8 cups (64 oz) cranberry juice; 4 cups (32 oz) apple juice; 1 can (12 oz) frozen pineapple juice, kept frozen; 1 can (12 oz) frozen lemonade, kept frozen; 3 large cinnamon sticks; 2 cups fresh cranberries, frozen; small cinnamon sticks for serving

Jump to Recipe

This tasty Christmas punch recipe is the perfect choice for any upcoming holiday parties. The cranberry and cinnamon drink recipe is for a non-alcoholic holiday punch, but you can easily add alcohol if you need a party punch for people over 21.

The red color of the drink, the holiday flavor of cinnamon sticks, plus the festive cranberries, give this punch the holiday vibes you want at your gathering.

Mugs of punch with cranberries and cinnamon sticks next to the bowl of punch.

Delicious Cranberry Christmas Punch

We just love punch recipes around here. Adding a punch bowl full of goodness to your event is an easy way to add to your party.

This cranberry punch recipe is modified from an old Taste of Home recipe called Breakfast Wassail. They suggest the drink can be enjoyed hot or cold, but we definitely prefer it as a cold punch.

The citrus juices plus the spicy cinnamon give this drink tons of flavor. Add in the frozen cranberries, and you’ve got yourself a festive holiday punch.

Making this holiday punch the day before you need it will fill your home with an amazing aroma. It’s sure to get you and your home ready for winter festivities!

Cranberry juice, apple juice, cinnamon sticks, and pineapple juice.

Holiday Punch Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this easy holiday drink recipe. The measurements are in the recipe card below.

Cranberry juice: Your favorite brand of cranberry juice.
Apple juice: Your favorite brand of apple juice.
Pineapple juice: Use a frozen concentrate of pineapple juice.
Lemonade: Use a frozen concentrate of lemonade.
Large cinnamon sticks: The large sticks are for boiling in the pot.
Small cinnamon sticks: The small sticks are for serving.
Cranberries: Use fresh cranberries, but freeze them.

Christmas Cranberry Punch Directions

This is a punch best made before the day you need it. Since it’s a cooked drink, refrigerating it overnight is best.

In a large stock pot, pour in the cranberry juice, apple juice, pineapple, and lemonade.

Stir in the large cinnamon sticks.

Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches a boil.

Reduce the heat and cover. Simmer for one hour.

Let the mixture stand to cool completely.

Remove the cinnamon sticks and throw them away.

Glasses of punch next to the punch bowl.

Refrigerate the drink overnight.

Pour into a punch bowl and serve with frozen cranberries and small cinnamon sticks.

Christmas Punch Recipe Notes and FAQ

How many people does this holiday punch serve?

This recipe makes approximately 15, 8-ounce servings or 20, 6-ounce servings.

Clear glass of punch with cranberries and cinnamon sticks with holiday decor on the table.

Can I add alcohol to this punch?

If you would like to spike this Christmas party punch, add 1 cup bourbon, brandy, or aged rum to the punch bowl when it’s cool. Add more to taste.

Holding a glass of red punch with cranberries and cinnamon sticks.

What’s the best way to keep this punch cold?

Instead of adding ice to the punch bowl, I like to freeze anything that can be frozen. I froze the fresh cranberries to make them like tiny ice cubes.

Yield: 15 cups

Christmas Punch Recipe

This holiday punch has all the flavors of the season for a delicious Christmas party drink.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

8 cups (64 oz) cranberry juice
4 cups (32 oz) apple juice
1 can (12 oz) frozen pineapple juice, kept frozen
1 can (12 oz) frozen lemonade, kept frozen
3 large cinnamon sticks
2 cups fresh cranberries, frozen
small cinnamon sticks for serving

Instructions

In a large stock pot, combine cranberry juice, apple juice, pineapple, and lemonade. Stir in large cinnamon sticks. Heat over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 1 hour. Let stand to cool completely. Remove cinnamon sticks and discard. Refrigerate overnight.
Serve with frozen cranberries and small cinnamon sticks.
Makes approximately 15, 8 ounce servings or 20, 6 ounce servings.

Cranberry and Cinnamon Christmas Punch Recipe