22 Christmas Punch Recipes (Without Alcohol!) That’ll Make Holiday Hosting Easy and Oh-So-Festive

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
September 25, 2018
Credit: Alison Miksch
When it's Christmas in the South, breaking out the punch bowl is just as much a holiday tradition as readying the heirloom Christmas china and doling out goody bags of rum balls. Depending on the occasion and crowd, we all have our holiday punch style, whether that entails those dotted with floating mounds of pastel sherbet, those spiced with cinnamon sticks and cloves, or even just a spruced-up version of our signature sweet tea and lemonade. No matter the chosen concoction, a bowl of Christmas punch serves more than one important purpose during the holiday season. It provides a festive centerpiece for the cocktail spread, makes party prep quick and easy, and leaves guests chock-full of seasonal spirit. That’s a Christmas miracle in itself. This year, celebrate the season down to the very last drop with these delicious Christmas punch recipes without alcohol.
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Lemon-Lime-Rosemary Punch

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Lemon-Lime-Rosemary Punch

Like we said, it just really isn't Christmas in the South without at least one punch bowl speckled with floating mounds of sherbet. This classic recipe looks pretty and festive alongside any holiday party spread.

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Merry Berry Christmas, Sugar!

Credit: Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Merry Berry Christmas, Sugar!

Every holiday celebrator, kids and adults alike, can enjoy the festivities with this mint and berry "mocktail." Fresh raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries come together to make this (very) Merry Berry Christmas, Sugar! party drink.

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Mint-and-White-Chocolate Milk Punch

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

Recipe: Mint-and-White-Chocolate Milk Punch

Frothy, festive, and fun—this milk punch goes all in with white chocolate and mint flavors. Line your rim with crushed peppermints, and you're set with a party-ready treat.

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Christmas Sunrise

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Christmas Sunrise

Ideal for Christmas brunch or lunch, this tropical, bubbly drink not only looks pretty, but tastes delicious. To get the layered "sunrise" look, slowly pour the tangerine juice over the back of a spoon into each glass; it keeps the juice from mixing with the cranberry syrup mixture.

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Cran-Raspberry-Vanilla Punch

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cran-Raspberry-Vanilla Punch

Follow the seasonal theme with this deep Christmas-red punch. It calls for cranberry-raspberry juice, sparkling cranberry juice, vanilla extract, raspberry sorbet, and frozen whole cranberries. Sounds like a jolly good time, no?

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Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade

Credit: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade

Vanilla bean and rosemary sprigs add a decadent holiday twist to freshly squeezed lemonade, perfect for daytime celebrations and kid-friendly parties alike.

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Alan Jackson's Eggnog

Credit: AJ's Good Time Bar

Recipe: Alan Jackson's Eggnog

Leave eggnog duty to country music star, Alan Jackson. His recipe is oh-so-creamy and rich, made with whipped cream and whipped egg whites. Leave out the liquor for a kid-friendly batch.

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Apple-Spiced Iced Tea

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Apple-Spiced Iced Tea

Turn classic iced tea into seasonal fare. Apple juice, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean make an unstoppable holiday trio.

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Spiced Citrus Punch

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Lindsey Ellis Beatty

Recipe: Spiced Citrus Punch

You won't miss the bourbon a single bit in this spiced, citrusy holiday punch recipe. It tastes like celebrating Christmas alongside the ocean breeze and rolling waves.

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Ginger-Vanilla Milk Punch

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Ginger-Vanilla Milk Punch

Give old-fashioned milk punch a trendy makeover. The crisp blend of citrus and ginger is just the zippy touch your guests will love.

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Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

We'll break out the punch bowl anytime for this pretty purple pick. The blend of cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, ginger ale, and homemade simple syrup looks as festive as a Christmas tree, especially with a pomegranate ice ring floating in the center. For a nonalcoholic twist, leave out the vodka and swap in sparkling water for the Prosecco.

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Mulled Cranberry Sipper

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Mulled Cranberry Sipper

Serve it chilled or warm, depending on your mood (and the temperature outside). Christmas spices and cranberry juice belong together like Dasher and Dancer.

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Chocolate-Raspberry Milk Punch

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chocolate-Raspberry Milk Punch

Those chocolate-raspberry holiday truffles you love so much? Meet the punch version. Chocolate syrup, raspberry preserves, and a few orange rinds add an indulgent twist to traditional milk punch.

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Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade

This simple and subtle twist on lemonade is perfect for both Christmas brunches and cocktail parties. Switch out the sparkling crisp wine for club soda and more lemon juice.

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Fizzy Cider Punch

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Fizzy Cider Punch

Add some major zing to your Christmas party lineup with this fizzy cider punch. For a nonalcoholic version, leave out the brandy and swap in sparkling water or club soda for Prosecco.

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Creamy Sorghum Eggnog

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Creamy Sorghum Eggnog

Give Southern twang to traditional eggnog with sorghum, a honey-like sweetener beloved in the South. Crushed gingersnaps add a festive garnish, while the bourbon can be left out when needed.

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Cranberry-Key Lime Punch

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cranberry-Key Lime Punch

Can't make it to Christmas in the Keys? This punch will take you there at first sip. Cranberries and key limes make the mocktail tart and zingy enough to get the party going, no alcohol required.

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Pineapple-Basil Tea

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pineapple-Basil Tea

Basil and pineapple make for a slightly tropical turn of events this holiday season, and we're ready for it. (Odds are, it's still 80 degrees outside anyway.)

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Spiced Hard Cider Fizz

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Spiced Hard Cider Fizz

Seasonal flavors abound in every sip of the spiced cider punch. Soften up the "hard" cider by trading in regular cider and leaving out the splash of bourbon.

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Cherry-Basil Fizz

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cherry-Basil Fizz

A bright, tangy cherry-basil syrup takes up the reins in this refreshingly simple holiday drink. Skip the vodka to serve a crowd-pleasing "mocktail" instead.

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Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea

Instead of sweetening your iced tea with sugar, go with honey instead. Grated fresh ginger adds a tasty twist.

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Berry Splash

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Berry Splash

Pardon the name, this splash doesn't just belong to summertime. A cherry-cranberry concoction provides a tart and bright base, which is then garnished with fragrant mint and berries. Swap out the blueberries for cranberries if desiring a more Christmas-themed look.

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By Kaitlyn Yarborough