Festive and Flavorful Frost Christmas Punch Recipe to Brighten Your Holiday Celebrations
Learn how to make delicious Festive and Flavorful Frost Christmas Punch. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
- 2 cups apple cider (fresh if possible, or store-bought)
- 1 cup sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy finish
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 orange, thinly sliced, for garnish
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, rinsed (optional, for garnish and flavor)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional, for a piney aroma)
- Ice cubes or an ice ring with frozen cranberries and rosemary inside
If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, this punch is perfect as is. For a grown-up twist, a splash of spiced rum or bourbon adds a cozy depth that Mama Lu would have raised a glass to. If fresh apple cider isn’t available, you can substitute with unsweetened apple juice, though I recommend the cider for that extra layer of autumn warmth.
Instructions
- In a large pot or saucepan, combine the cranberry juice, apple cider, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves.
- Warm the mixture over medium heat until it just begins to simmer—about 5 to 7 minutes. You want the spices to infuse without boiling off the fresh flavors.
- Remove the pot from heat and stir in the maple syrup (or honey) and freshly squeezed orange juice. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed—remember, the sparkle will balance some of the sweetness later.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then strain out the cinnamon stick and cloves.
- Transfer the punch to a large glass pitcher or punch bowl. Add the sparkling water or club soda just before serving to keep that fresh fizz.
- Add ice cubes or a decorative ice ring filled with cranberries and rosemary to keep things chilled and festive.
- Garnish with orange slices, fresh cranberries, and rosemary sprigs for a rustic, farm-to-table feel that would make Mama Lu smile.
One thing I learned from countless holiday gatherings back home: don’t rush the cooling and mixing stages. Letting the flavors marry gently, like the slow Sunday pot roasts Mama Lu made, is what gives this punch its soul. And don’t be shy about tasting it along the way—that’s part of the joy.
