Festive holiday punch for a crowd! With cranberry juice, orange juice, bourbon, and hard cider. Serves 15 or so. Includes non-alcoholic version.
Want an easy cocktail for your New Year’s party without playing bartender all night? Punch is the perfect solution.
A good punch mixes together spirits, juice, and spices in a communal bowl. Guests serve themselves, and you can relax and enjoy the night as the glamorous doyenne you know you are.
This punch is a particular favorite of mine. It brings together winter flavors such as cranberry, orange, and cinnamon in a delightful drink that leaves you glowing with cheer.
I’ve included both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the recipe below. If you want to give the alcoholic version even more of a kick, replace one or both cups of the hard cider with applejack or apple brandy.
Most punches use ice molds to keep things cold. I simply chill the individual ingredients overnight, and then mix everything together right as the party starts. Keep a bucket of ice nearby so guests can chill and dilute their drinks as they see fit.
Holiday Punch Recipe
This cinnamon syrup makes more than you’ll need for this punch. Use the extra in cocktails, coffee, or hot chocolate. It will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.
Ingredients
For the cinnamon syrup (makes about 2 cups):
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
For the punch (alcoholic version):
- 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
- 2 cups bourbon
- 1 1/2 cups ginger beer
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 bottles hard cider
- Orange and lime slices for garnish
For the punch (non-alcoholic version):
- 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
- 1 cup club soda
- 1 1/2 cups ginger beer
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 cups apple cider
- Orange and lime slices for garnish
Method
1 Make the cinnamon syrup: Place the sugar, water, and cinnamon in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour. Remove the cinnamon sticks. Pour into a bottle or other container and cool. Will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.
2 Refrigerate the punch ingredients: Refrigerate all punch ingredients for at least 6 hours, or overnight, so they are chilled before serving.
3 Make the punch: Mix 1/3 cup cinnamon syrup with all the punch ingredients in a large punch bowl, stock pot, or other container. Stir together and serve immediately.
