Easy Christmas Morning Punch

Featured in Refreshing Drink Recipes for Every Occasion.

Combine cranberry juice with orange for a tangy base. Add pineapple juice for something fruity and exotic. Right before serving, mix in chilled ginger ale to get that bubbly kick. Toss in fresh cranberries and orange slices for decoration. Keep extra sodas and juice handy for topping up. This punch is ready in no time!

A man wearing a white shirt and suspenders holding a piece of paper.
Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:32:38 GMT
Three glass mugs filled with bright orange punch, garnished with cranberries and orange slices, resting on a festive red cloth with extra orange slices nearby. Pin it
Three glass mugs filled with bright orange punch, garnished with cranberries and orange slices, resting on a festive red cloth with extra orange slices nearby. | chefmelt.com

Kick off Christmas morning with this simple fruity drink. Combine tangy juices with bubbly ginger ale and bits of fresh fruit for a beverage that's gorgeous and delicious. It's just right while unwrapping gifts or enjoying breakfast together.

Why Make This Punch

You'll throw this together in under five minutes. The orange and red hues scream Christmas when poured. Everyone from kids to grandparents can enjoy it - grown-ups might want a splash of vodka or wine in theirs. It'll make your morning feel extra festive.

What You Need

  • Cranberries: Float them on top
  • Orange Slices: Cut them thin
  • Ginger Ale: For the bubbles
  • Orange Juice: Squeeze your own if you can
  • Pineapple Juice: For sweetness
  • Cranberry Juice: Red and tart

How to Make It

Make it Pretty:
Drop orange slices and cranberries on the surface. Pour into glasses and enjoy while cold.
Make it Cold:
Chill it in the fridge for an hour to get properly cold.
Mix the Juice:
Dump all your juices into a large pitcher or bowl. Add the ginger ale at the end. Mix lightly to keep the fizz.

Start the Day Right

There's nothing better than beginning Christmas with something cool and fruity. The juice blend tastes zingy and vibrant. The ginger ale bubbles perk up your mouth. Kids and adults alike enjoy watching fruit pieces floating in their drinks while tearing into presents.

Why It Works So Well

The cranberry adds a nice zing, while the pineapple brings sweetness. The orange gives it a fresh kick, and ginger ale adds the sparkle. You'll like each gulp more than the last. It goes down perfectly between mouthfuls of Christmas morning treats.

Quick to Make

Christmas morning is busy enough. That's why this drink is so great - toss the juices together, stir, and you're finished. You can prep it the night before too. Just remember to pour in the ginger ale right before serving so it doesn't go flat.

Good for Everyone

The little ones love it because it's sweet and fizzy. Adults can sneak in a bit of alcohol to their own cups. Everyone's happy. And though it looks fancy enough for your social media posts, it's so easy you won't break a sweat making it.

A close-up of a glass of colorful fruit drink garnished with cranberries and orange slices, surrounded by fresh oranges and greenery. Pin it
A close-up of a glass of colorful fruit drink garnished with cranberries and orange slices, surrounded by fresh oranges and greenery. | chefmelt.com

Make the Glasses Special

Want to jazz it up more? Coat the rims with sugar. Hang a tiny candy cane on the edge. Cut the oranges into star shapes instead of rounds. Top with a bit of mint. These small details will get folks smiling before they've taken their first sip.

Keep It Fresh

Got some left? Store it in the fridge up to three days. When it loses its fizz, just top it off with more ginger ale. Freeze some in ice trays - the cubes will give ordinary drinks a Christmas flavor later on. Or turn them into frozen treats for the kids to enjoy after the holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep it early?

Sure! Mix the juices ahead the evening before. Fruit pieces should be stored separately. The bubbling drink comes in last minute. Slice oranges in the morning, and add ice at serving time.

→ Don't have the same juices?

No problem—apple juice makes a nice swap. Mango brings a tropical twist. Want something pretty? Use grape juice. Play around to find your own balance of sweet and tart.

→ What if I’m out of ginger ale?

No worries—grab soda water as a stand-in. Sprite or similar lemon-lime drinks work too. Even something like apple soda or cherry soda keeps it bubbly.

→ How do I make it for adults?

Pour in a little vodka for a stronger punch. Champagne is another fancy option to top it off. White wine or rum also adds a fun twist. Keep a separate batch for kids, though!

→ Pressed for time?

Frozen juice is your friend—it’s cold, so that’s one less worry! Pre-cut fruit saves time, too. Chill the ginger ale beforehand, and quickly mix everything in your punch bowl. Decorations can be kept simple.

→ How do I serve a big group?

Easily double all your ingredients, or even triple. For a nice presentation, freeze an ice ring with some fruit in it. Keep extra juices chilled. Mix in smaller batches if needed. Don’t forget backup cups!

→ Is it too tart or too sweet?

Too much sweetness? Use more cranberry juice. Orange juice will bring more sweetness if it’s too sour. Dilute things with a bit of water if needed. Always taste-test before you add ice!

→ Taking this drink somewhere?

Makes traveling easy—store your juice mix in bottles, keep the fruit separated, travel with sealed sparkling drinks, and bring extra ice cubes and cups.

→ Looking to make it fancy?

Freeze berries into cubes for colorful ice. Use fancy glassware or layer visible colors in your serving bowl. Decorate with mint leaves or cranberries for elegance. Play with the visual appeal!

→ What about if it gets watery?

Use frozen fruit instead of regular ice to keep it chilled. Make ice cubes from leftover punch to avoid dilution. Another tip: serve in chilled glasses or mugs!

→ How can I make it stronger?

For extra flavor, pour in more cranberry juice or ginger ale. A pinch of lemon or lime juice will perk it up. Just note extra ice might tone everything down.

→ How do I make it last longer?

Keep it super cold. Cover it during breaks so it stays fresh. Prepare extra ice rings and backup juice bottles. Add the fizzy stuff in smaller quantities as you're serving.

Conclusion

Fan of punch? Try sparkling water instead for something light. Add mint leaves for a fresher vibe. A dash of lemon can give it some zing too.

Easy Christmas Morning Punch

Effortless holiday party drink.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
5 Minutes

Category: Beverages

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 2 cups of pineapple juice.
02 2 cups of orange juice.
03 2 cups of ginger ale.
04 2 cups of cranberry juice cocktail.
05 A handful of cranberries to decorate.
06 Slices of orange for decoration.

Instructions

Step 01

Use a big punch bowl or pitcher. Mix together the orange juice, cranberry cocktail, pineapple juice, and ginger ale. Stir lightly so everything combines.

Step 02

Tuck the bowl or pitcher into the fridge for at least 60 minutes, giving it time to get cold and let the flavors mingle nicely.

Step 03

Right before pouring into cups, toss in the slices of orange and cranberries for that fancy finish. Serve cold in glasses.

Notes

  1. Keep any extra punch in the fridge for up to 72 hours in a sealed container to stay fresh.
  2. For a grown-up twist, add vodka or swap out ginger ale for champagne if you want some fizz.
  3. Give your drinks a special flair by dipping the top rims of glasses in orange juice, then coating them with shiny red or sparkly sugar.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large punch bowl or big pitcher.
  • Glasses or serving cups.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Could trigger citrus allergies because of the orange juice.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 113
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 1 g