Holly Jolly Spiced Punch

There’s something truly special about bringing a big bowl of festive punch to the holiday table. This Holly Jolly Spiced Christmas Punch combines winter spices with bright, seasonal fruit juices, making it a vibrant and welcoming drink for any holiday gathering. The mix of cranberry, orange, and pineapple juices with cinnamon, cloves, and star anise captures the spirit of Christmas in every sip. It’s just as perfect for a cozy family night as it is for a lively holiday party. Whether you keep this punch non-alcoholic for all ages or add a splash of your favorite spirit, it always steals the show.

I first made this recipe for a holiday potluck, and now it’s become a nonnegotiable tradition that everyone asks for every year. The aroma alone gets guests excited before they even taste it.

Ingredients

• Cranberry juice: Eight cups of cranberry juice that give the punch its beautiful color and tartness, look for 100 percent juice without added sugar
• Orange juice: Four cups of orange juice adds brightness and sweetness preferably freshly squeezed if you can
• Pineapple juice: Two cups of pineapple juice balances the tartness and adds tropical depth choose pure juice without pulp for smoothness
• Fresh lemon juice: One cup of fresh lemon juice provides a sharp, tangy contrast to the sweeter juices always fresh for best flavor
• Honey: Half a cup of honey natural sweetener that warms the flavor use raw or mild flavored honey for subtle sweetness
• Cinnamon sticks: Four cinnamon sticks provide gentle warmth and spice pick sticks that are firm and aromatic
• Whole cloves: One tablespoon of whole cloves add deep aromatic spice use them tied in cheesecloth or an infuser
• Whole allspice berries: One tablespoon bring complexity with hints of cinnamon nutmeg and clove fresh whole berries are best over ground
• Star anise pods: Three star anise pods contribute a subtle licorice note and beautiful shape fresh pods smell fragrant and should not be broken
• Oranges: Two oranges sliced into rounds for garnish and added citrus notes choose firm bright oranges with thin skin
• Fresh cranberries: One cup for garnish and pops of tartness fresh is preferred but frozen works well too
• Ginger ale or lemon lime soda: Two liters adds fizz and lightens the punch use the freshest bottles no matter which option you pick
• Fresh rosemary sprigs: For garnish provide a piney aroma and a festive touch look for bright green firm sprigs
• Extra orange slices: For garnish add color and fresh citrus scent

Instructions

Combine and heat:

Pour the cranberry juice orange juice and pineapple juice into a large pot and set it on medium heat. Add the cinnamon sticks directly into the juice mixture. Tie the whole cloves and whole allspice berries in a small piece of cheesecloth or place them in a tea infuser and drop this spice bundle along with the star anise pods into the pot. Stir in the honey until it dissolves completely into the warm juices. Heat until you notice tiny bubbles forming around the edges but do not let it reach a full boil so the fruit flavors stay bright.

Simmer and finish:

Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently without boiling for about twenty minutes so the spices release their flavors evenly. Stir occasionally. After twenty minutes remove the pot from the heat and take out the cinnamon sticks star anise pods and the spice bundle. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and stir well to blend the bright acidity.

Cool and chill:

Allow the spiced juice mixture to cool to room temperature which usually takes about an hour or transfer to a large bowl and refrigerate to speed it up. Once cooled cover the punch and chill in the fridge for at least one hour or leave overnight to deepen and blend the flavors.

Serve and garnish:

When ready to serve transfer the chilled punch into a large punch bowl and add the sliced oranges and fresh cranberries on top. Slowly pour in the ginger ale or lemon lime soda down the side of the bowl to preserve the bubbles and gently stir once or twice to combine. Set out the punch bowl with a ladle and glasses add ice cubes or an ice ring to keep the punch chilled and garnish each glass with a small sprig of fresh rosemary and an orange slice.

My favorite part of this punch is definitely the star anise pods. They add a subtle licorice flavor and look so festive floating in the bowl. It always reminds me of the first time I served this punch at a Christmas Eve party years ago. The aroma filled the whole house and guests kept coming back for refills because it felt like drinking the very spirit of the holidays.

Storage Tips

Store leftover spiced punch without the soda in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the soda separate and add it only just before serving to maintain the fizz. To keep the punch cold longer without diluting try freezing some cranberry juice in a ring shaped mold to create an ice ring that melts slowly.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find whole spices use ground cinnamon cloves and allspice but reduce the amount significantly and strain the punch through a fine mesh strainer before serving to remove sediment. Fresh cranberries can be swapped for frozen ones without losing much flavor. Pineapple juice can be replaced with apple juice or pear juice if preferred and rum vodka or bourbon can be added to make the punch alcoholic just before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this punch as a festive welcome drink alongside holiday cookies roasted nuts or a cheese platter. It pairs well with hearty meals like roasted turkey glazed ham or spiced vegetable sides and can be warmed and served like mulled cider if you skip the soda.

This Holly Jolly Spiced Christmas Punch is a festive crowd pleaser that can be prepped ahead or dressed up with spirits. It brings warmth color and cheer to any holiday table.

Your Recipe Questions Answered

→ What spices give this punch its signature flavor?

Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice berries, and star anise create the warm, festive spice profile.

→ Can this punch be prepared in advance?

Yes, the spiced base can be made ahead and chilled overnight to deepen the flavors before adding ginger ale.

→ What juices are combined in this punch?

Cranberry, orange, pineapple, and fresh lemon juices blend together for a balanced tartness and sweetness.

→ How is the fizz added without losing bubbles?

Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda is poured gently down the side of the punch bowl to retain carbonation.

→ Are there garnish suggestions for serving?

Fresh rosemary sprigs and orange slices add aroma and visual appeal to each glass and the punch bowl.

→ Is it possible to serve this warm?

Yes, skip the soda and serve the spiced juice hot for a cozy, mulled-style drink.