Print

Light & Festive Holiday Punch: Easy 5-Minute Ginger Ale Recipe

light & festive holiday punch with ginger ale - featured image
Print Recipe

A bright, bubbly, and refreshing holiday punch made with 100% cranberry juice, ginger ale, and fresh citrus. Ready in just 5 minutes, this crowd-pleasing non-alcoholic drink is perfect for holiday gatherings and looks festive with a beautiful ice ring.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml) 100% cranberry juice
  • 4 cups (960 ml) ginger ale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice
  • 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • Ice ring or large ice cubes
  • Fresh cranberries, orange slices, lime slices, and fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Make the ice ring at least 6 hours before serving or overnight. Arrange fresh cranberries, thin orange slices, lime slices, and a few sprigs of rosemary in the bottom of your ice ring mold or loaf pan. Pour in enough water to cover the garnishes by about an inch. Freeze for 2 hours, then add more water to fill the mold completely and freeze for another 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Prep your citrus. Roll the oranges and limes on the counter with the palm of your hand to release more juice. Cut them in half crosswise and juice them into a measuring cup. Strain out any seeds. You should have about 1 cup of orange juice and 1/4 cup of lime juice. Set aside.
  3. Chill everything. Put the cranberry juice, ginger ale, and citrus juices in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before you plan to serve.
  4. Combine the juices. In your punch bowl or pitcher, pour in the chilled cranberry juice, orange juice, and lime juice. Stir gently to combine. If using sweetener, dissolve it in 2 tablespoons of warm water, let it cool, and stir it in now. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  5. Add the ginger ale last. Right before serving, gently pour in the chilled ginger ale. Do not stir vigorously—a few gentle stirs with a long spoon is all it needs.
  6. Add the ice ring. Carefully unmold the ice ring by running warm water over the outside of the mold for about 10 seconds. Gently slide the ring into the punch bowl.
  7. Garnish and serve. Add a few extra fresh cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs to the punch bowl. Ladle into glasses, making sure each serving gets a few cranberries and a slice of citrus. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use 100% cranberry juice, not cocktail, for the best flavor. Chill all ingredients thoroughly before mixing to prevent the ice ring from melting too quickly. Add the ginger ale at the very last moment to preserve carbonation. The juice mixture can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Keywords: holiday punch, cranberry punch, ginger ale punch, non-alcoholic punch, festive drink, Christmas punch, party punch, easy punch recipe

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/light-and-festive-holiday-punch-easy-5-minute-ginger-ale-recipe/