When it comes to party drinks that please a crowd, few things beat a good old-fashioned holiday punch. Whether you’re hosting a spooky Halloween bash, a cozy Thanksgiving dinner, or a full-on Christmas extravaganza, having a festive bowl of holiday punch is one of the easiest ways to bring the cheer. It’s fruity, fizzy, fun, and incredibly simple to make.
This recipe for holiday punch is my go-to for just about every seasonal get-together. It’s a beautiful blend of cranberry raspberry juice, bubbly lemon-lime soda, spicy ginger ale, and the star of the show: creamy raspberry sherbet. If that doesn’t say holiday magic in a bowl, I don’t know what does.
Jump to
- Why This Holiday Punch Deserves a Spot at Your Party
- When to Serve Holiday Punch
- Ingredients for the Perfect Holiday Punch
- Tips for Prepping Your Holiday Punch
- How to Make Holiday Punch Step-by-Step
- Holiday Punch Variations to Try
- Perfect Pairings for Your Holiday Punch
- Can You Make Holiday Punch Ahead of Time?
- Final Thoughts
Why This Holiday Punch Deserves a Spot at Your Party
Let’s talk flavor. The tartness of cranberry and raspberry juice gives this holiday punch its signature zing, while the lemon-lime soda and ginger ale mellow it out with fizz and sweetness. The raspberry sherbet floats on top like a pink, creamy cloud, slowly melting into the drink and giving it that frothy texture everyone loves.
It’s non-alcoholic, so it’s perfect for guests of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. And if you’re looking for holiday cocktail alternatives, this one hits the mark while keeping things family-friendly. It’s also super flexible. Want it more citrusy? Add a splash of lemonade. Craving extra tartness? Use straight cranberry juice. You’re the boss of this bowl.
And can we talk about the visuals? The vibrant red color, the bubbles, the fruit garnish—it looks like something out of a holiday movie. It pairs especially well with desserts like this Festive Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake.
When to Serve Holiday Punch
The best part about holiday punch is that it works for every major celebration.
Halloween Parties: Add some green or purple food coloring and float in a few spooky plastic eyeballs. Instant Halloween punch!
Thanksgiving: It’s a refreshing, light drink to balance out all the heavy comfort food.
Christmas: Make it your signature Christmas punch. Add frozen cranberries and a few sprigs of mint for garnish.
New Year’s Eve: For a non-alcoholic option that still feels celebratory, this holiday punch is perfect.
This is the kind of seasonal punch that becomes a tradition. You’ll be making it again and again.
For more warm-weather options that transition well into the cooler months, check out these Easy Summer Drink Recipes.
Ingredients for the Perfect Holiday Punch
Here’s everything you need for one large punch bowl. This recipe is easily scalable for larger crowds.
- 64 oz cranberry raspberry juice (chilled)
- 1 liter ginger ale (chilled)
- 1 liter lemon-lime soda (chilled)
- 12 oz raspberries (divided)
- ½ cup fresh cranberries (optional)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 8 scoops raspberry sherbet
Tips for Prepping Your Holiday Punch
- Chill all liquids overnight. Trust me on this. Starting with cold ingredients means your punch stays refreshing without needing too much ice, which can water it down.
- Puree half the raspberries with the sugar. This adds extra fruitiness and color.
- Serve in a large, clear punch bowl. Presentation is everything, and this drink deserves to be seen.
- Add garnishes right before serving. This keeps everything fresh and bright.
Want something with similar flavors but a different twist? You might love our Strawberry Lime Mocktail Margarita.
How to Make Holiday Punch Step-by-Step
Step 1: Chill your ingredients.
Put the cranberry raspberry juice, ginger ale, and lemon-lime soda in the fridge the night before your party.
Step 2: Blend the raspberries.
Take half of your raspberries (6 oz) and blend them with the sugar until smooth. You can strain the seeds if you’d like, but they also add some nice texture.
Step 3: Mix the liquids.
In a large punch bowl, pour in the juice, soda, and ginger ale. Stir gently to combine.
Step 4: Add the raspberry puree.
Swirl it in and give the mix another light stir.
Step 5: Scoop in the sherbet.
Drop 8 generous scoops of raspberry sherbet right into the punch. It will start to melt and create that classic creamy fizz.
Step 6: Garnish.
Add the rest of the whole raspberries, the cranberries, and maybe a few mint leaves or citrus slices.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy!
Your holiday punch is ready to party.
Holiday Punch Variations to Try
- Spiked Version: Add vodka, rum, or sparkling wine for an adults-only twist.
- Citrus Upgrade: Use orange sherbet or a splash of pineapple juice.
- Color Switch: Green food coloring and lime sherbet make a fun alternative for Halloween.
- Low-Sugar Option: Go for diet soda and reduce the added sugar.
Looking for more flavor-packed ideas? Try our Peach Lemonade Recipe – Summer Favorite and turn it into a winter treat with cinnamon or clove.
Perfect Pairings for Your Holiday Punch
This punch goes with just about anything, but here are a few favorites:
- Sweet Treats: Serve it with a Gingerbread Ice Cream – Holiday Delight or a slice of Strawberry Icebox Cake.
- Savory Snacks: Cheese platters, sliders, or mini quiches.
- Other Beverages: Offer a mix, like this classy Christmas Cosmo Cocktail Recipe.
Can You Make Holiday Punch Ahead of Time?
Yes! Mix the juice, soda, and ginger ale a few hours before your event and keep it in the fridge. Just wait to add the sherbet and garnishes until right before serving.
Leftovers? Store them in a sealed container in the fridge. It won’t be as fizzy the next day, but it still tastes great. You can even freeze leftovers into popsicles.
For something equally refreshing, check out our Blue Raspberry Lemonade – A Tangy Treat or this fun Hibiscus Tea Strawberry Lemonade Refresher.
Holiday Punch Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Description
A festive, fruity, and fizzy holiday punch made with cranberry raspberry juice, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, and creamy raspberry sherbet. Perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s gatherings.
Ingredients
- 64 oz cranberry raspberry juice (chilled)
- 1 liter ginger ale (chilled)
- 1 liter lemon-lime soda (chilled)
- 12 oz raspberries (divided)
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 8 scoops raspberry sherbet
Instructions
- Chill the cranberry raspberry juice, ginger ale, and lemon-lime soda overnight.
- Blend half of the raspberries (6 oz) with the sugar until smooth. Strain seeds if desired.
- In a large punch bowl, combine the juice, ginger ale, and soda. Stir gently.
- Add the raspberry puree and stir lightly.
- Scoop 8 generous scoops of raspberry sherbet into the punch bowl.
- Garnish with remaining raspberries, cranberries, and optional mint leaves or citrus slices.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
For best results, always start with chilled liquids. Garnish right before serving to keep the punch vibrant and fresh. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or frozen into popsicles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
Final Thoughts
Holiday punch is one of those recipes that feels special without making you sweat. It’s easy to whip up, looks gorgeous, and brings people together around the punch bowl. And hey, if it becomes your signature drink at every holiday party, even better.
Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student looking for budget-friendly ideas, or just someone who loves fruity, festive beverages, this holiday punch is a winner. Add it to your lineup this Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s—and watch it disappear within minutes.
Try it out and let us know how your version turned out!
Follow us for more drool-worthy comfort food on Pinterest and join the conversation on Facebook.