23 Festive Holiday Punch Recipes

December 09, 2010
Hector Sanchez
Break out your punch bowl, and mix up one of these festive drinks. These big-batch beverages—with and without alcohol—will keep you and your guests in high spirits.Holiday celebrations in the South are centered on food and drink. Southerners love an excuse to prepare a huge meal to fill the bellies of friends and family, alike. The holidays are the perfect time to do that! Aside from enjoying delicious food, we love tasty holiday punch recipes to add pizazz to an average holiday rendezvous. From citrus blends to Creamy Southern Russian Punch, we have all the most delicious holiday punch recipes to help you celebrate the holidays to the fullest! We have even included a few non-alcoholic punch recipes, in hopes of accommodating everyone!The holidays are meant for celebrating and taking in all the Christmas tradition, down to the last drop. These holiday punch recipes will give your guests a delicious treat to enjoy throughout the night, while also providing a beautiful presentation to aid in your décor! Eat, drink and be merry this holiday season as you sip on our best holiday cocktail and mocktail recipes.
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Champagne Punch

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Champagne Punch
Recipe: Mint-Lime-Champagne Punch
Recipe: Blueberry-Lavender-Champagne Punch
Recipe: Strawberry-Ginger-Champagne Punch

While the simple Champagne Punch is tasty on its own, the fruity stir-ins add an extra flavorful touch. For a nonalcoholic option, have lemon-lime soda or seltzer water on hand.

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Lemon-Lime Rosemary Punch

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Lemon-Lime Rosemary Punch

Rosemary and lemon elevate this church basement classic to a higher level.

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Lemon-Gin Fizzy Punch

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Lemon-Gin Fizzy Punch

We prefer a more botanical-tasting gin like Bristow in this punch.

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Cran-Raspberry-Vanilla Punch

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cran-Raspberry-Vanilla Punch

Be sure to add the raspberry sorbet right before you serve this festive nonalcoholic choice.

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Sorghum-Cider Punch

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Sorghum-Cider Punch

Fizzy hard cider and spicy ginger ale add a subtle effervescence. Start with chilled beverages so it's nice and refreshing, and consider adding a decorative ice ring to keep it that way.

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Texas Santa Punch

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Texas Santa Punch

Use no-sugar-added pomegranate juice and dry sparkling wine so the punch won't be too sweet. Freshly squeezed lime juice is best. Float frozen cranberries and an ice ring in the punch bowl for a festive chill.

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Southern Russian Punch

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Southern Russian Punch

Try Cathead Hoodoo Chicory Liqueur from Jackson, Mississippi, to boost the bold chicory flavor. If you can't find chicory coffee, use any strong brewed coffee to make this riff on a White Russian. Rim the cups in turbinado sugar before ladling in the punch.

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Cane Syrup Milk Punch

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cane Syrup Milk Punch

Bittersweet cane syrup takes the edge off of this bourbon-lovers' New Orleans-style frozen punch. Make it ahead, and freeze for up to a week. The boozy punch doesn't freeze rock solid, so just set it out as your first guests arrive. Simply give it a quick stir to create an ideal slushy consistency. Keep the punch cold by serving in a chilled metal bowl.

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Spiced Wine

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Spiced Wine

This soothing drink is a riff on warm German spiced wine.

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Hot Bourbon-Orange Tea Toddy

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Hot Bourbon-Orange Tea Toddy

This warm reviver can be served before or after dinner.

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Blackberry Mojito Punch

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blackberry Mojito Punch

Blackberries and mint springs create a showstopping presentation for this classic citrus mixture.

Prep Notes: 5 minutes hands-on time. Simply stir and serve.

For kids and adults. Leave out white rum for kid-friendly version.

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Southern Pineapple Punch

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Southern Pineapple Punch

Tropical flavor abounds in this mixture of pineapple, orange, and mango juices. The fruit, spice, and whiskey in Southern Comfort liqueur complete the flavor.

Prep Notes: 10 minutes hands-on time. Simply stir and serve.

For kids and adults. Leave out Southern Comfort for kid-friendly version.

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Raspberry Wine Zinger

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Raspberry Wine Zinger

Raspberry sorbet and fresh raspberries top this fruity wine-and-beer punch. Serve in stemless wine glasses for an elegant presentation.

Prep Notes: 10 minutes hands-on time. Simply stir and serve.

For adults only.

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Creamy Sorghum Eggnog

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Creamy Sorghum Eggnog

Add a Southern twist to eggnog with sweet-and-rich-as-honey sorghum. For a spiced garnish, sprinkle individual servings with crushed gingersnaps.

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Bourbon Margarita Slushies

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn; Prop Styling: Faith Morgan, Food Styling: Angela Sellers

Recipe: Bourbon Margarita Slushies

Flavors of bourbon and orange juice make this a perfect wintertime drink.

Prep Notes: 10 minutes hands-on time. Must freeze 24 hours (or up to one week) before serving.

For adults only.

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Honey-Green Tea Fizz

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Honey-Green Tea Fizz

Add party zing to fresh green tea with this simple recipe. Guests will be delighted with the sweet, sparkling drink, not to mention the health benefits of green tea.

Prep Notes: 10 minutes hands-on time. Allow 2 hours to chill before serving.

For kids and adults.

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Cranberry-Key Lime Punch

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Cranberry-Key Lime Punch

Garnish this sparkling refreshment with lime slices and fresh cranberries.

Prep Notes: 15 minutes hand-on time. Must chill for an additional hour.

For kids and adults.

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Warm Spiced Sangria

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Warm Spiced Sangria

This spice-infused wine punch will fill you with warmth and cheer from the inside out. Serve in a clear glass mug to show off cinnamon stick and fruit garnishes.

Prep Notes: 10 minutes hands-on time. Cooks for an additional 2 hours, 30 minutes.

For adults only.

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Poinsettia Gimlet

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Poinsettia Gimlet

Pomegranate juice adds a festive flair to this sparkling lime-and-gin cocktail. Garnish with lime slices.

Prep Notes: 10 minutes hands-on time. Allow 2 hours to chill before serving.

For adults only.

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Iced Hello Dolly

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Iced Hello Dolly

The decadent taste of this cool and creamy coffee drink is reminiscent of the chocolate, coconut, and nutty flavors in Hello Dolly 7-layer bars. Top with whipped cream and chocolate.

Prep Notes: 5 minutes. Chill up to 8 hours.

For kids and adults.

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Apple-Spiced Iced Tea

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Apple-Spiced Iced Tea

Turn classic iced tea into seasonal fare. Apple juice, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean create a taste reminiscent of cider.

Prep Notes: 10 minutes hands-on time. Needs to chill 24 hours.

For kids and adults.

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Sparkling Pear-Brandy Cider

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Sparkling Pear-Brandy Cider

Enchant your guests with chilled, bubbly cider. Pear nectar and honey add fresh-tasting sweetness that will guarantee an empty punch bowl.
Prep Notes: 5 minutes hands-on time. Simply stir and serve.

    For kids and adults. Leave out brandy for kid-friendly version.

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    Holiday Milk Punch

    Photo: Hector Sanchez

    Recipe: Holiday Milk Punch

    From the kitchen of Natalie Broulette, New York, New York, thesoho.blogspot.com

    "It's unusual to find a cold drink that gives you that sense of holiday coziness, but this one does. Grate the nutmeg fresh. It makes a difference."

    For adults only.

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    Montgomery Punch

    Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

    Recipe: Montgomery Punch

    Julia found this recipe in a cookbook by the Junior League of Montgomery, Alabama, where the punch is a town staple.

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