This holiday season, remember that no one that has friends is a failure. And if those friends are serving Christmas Punch, you’ve hit the jackpot.
A tradition in my house every Christmas season was watching It’s A Wonderful Life while trimming the tree with my family. And while my girlfriend and I don’t put up a tree of our own—thanks to our cat, Mr. Darcy—we still decorate and wrap presents while watching nostalgic favorites. I still sit down every year and watch George Bailey be shown what life would be like if he were never born. Every year I smile as George is reminded by Clarence, his guardian angel, that “no man is a failure who has friends.” And as the town of Bedford Falls comes together to help Jimmy Stewart’s iconic character, a toast is held in his honor, with what looks to be a cup of tonight’s drink, the Christmas Punch.
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of attending an office Christmas party, you’ve probably had a few rounds of this seasonal favorite. And you might’ve witnessed a co-worker or two have way too much and end up with a lampshade on their head. Or maybe that was you. Definitely wasn’t me.
You don’t have to attend any workplace soirées to enjoy some Christmas Punch this year. The recipe is simple enough that you can invite some friends over, pull out your grandmother’s old punch bowl and stir up a nice big batch of it. Hang the mistletoe, don an ugly sweater, put on some Burl Ives and spread a little holiday cheer with your loved ones. They’ll enjoy themselves even more with a cup of some fizzy, fruity and spicy Christmas Punch. Leave some out for Santa, too. Poor guy’s working all night. Although to be fair, he does take the rest of the year off. Still, leave him some Punch. He left you a Big Wheel under the tree that one year, remember?
What Is Wassail?
The Christmas Punch seems to have its origins in a traditional Yuletide libation called wassail. You’ve heard the carol:
Love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail too…
So what is it exactly? Wassail is a hot mulled punch made with cider, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and often apples and oranges are thrown in as well. It is drunk from a large communal bowl, or “wassail bowl”, and is part of the historic English holiday activity called “wassailing”, which involved communal drinking and acts of charity. Peace on Earth, goodwill, loved ones and strong libations. What more can anyone want for Christmas?
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Christmas Punch?
There’s a lot of holiday spices and fruity notes in this Christmas Punch, so you’ll want to choose a good, strong spirit to pour into it. We suggest using either vodka or spiced rum. How much you want to put in is totally up to you. An unflavored vodka will meld with the other ingredients, while a dark and robust rum will add some extra oomph to the spices already present.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup pomegranate juice optional
- 1/2 cup spiced rum or vodka or more to taste
- 1 cup ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
- 1/4 cup grenadine syrup
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries for garnish
- 1 orange sliced into rounds, for garnish
- 1 lime sliced into rounds, for garnish
- Mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine the cranberry juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and pomegranate juice. Mix well.
- If desired, stir in the spiced rum or vodka for an alcoholic version of the punch.
- Add the ginger ale or lemon-lime soda just before serving to keep the punch fizzy.
- Stir in the grenadine syrup for sweetness and color.
- Add ice cubes to chill the punch.
- Garnish with fresh cranberries, orange and lime slices, and mint leaves.
- Serve immediately in punch glasses or cups.
Nutrition
What Glassware And Garnish are Used?
I recommend procuring a punchbowl set before attempting to make and serve this drink. They usually come with enough little cups for your guests, as well as a ladle for doling out the Christmas Punch.
Can You Make A Non-Alcoholic Version Of This Drink?
Of course! All you need to do is just follow our recipe above and omit the rum or vodka.
Other Holiday Cocktails to Try
Christmas is a fantastic time to try out some seasonal drams. Summertime has a plethora of cocktails you crave when it’s hot out and you’re lounging by the pool. The winter holidays are no different, with a number of recipes you’ll be fawning over as you sit by a roaring fire while the snow falls outside. Check out some of these seasonal sippers from Twist & Toast, and have a Merry Christmas!
- Spiked Eggnog – What’s Christmastime without a cup or two of this classic holiday concoction?
- Christmas Martini – If you want Santa to spoil you this year, leave a few of these out with his cookies.
- Coquito – Another holiday tradition, which makes a lovely gift by the way. Hint hint.
- Glögg – If the weather is chilling you to the bone, try this warm Scandinavian holiday favorite.
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