A comforting, aromatic spiced cranberry apple holiday punch that works hot or cold and can be made non-alcoholic or festive with a splash of rum or wine. It’s easy, delicious, and guaranteed to make your home smell like the holidays!
🍎✨ Spiced Cranberry Apple Holiday Punch
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
Base
4 cups cranberry juice
3 cups apple cider (or unsweetened apple juice)
2 cups orange juice
1 cup water
Zest of 1 orange
Zest of 1 lemon
Holiday Spices
3 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
3 star anise
1 small piece of fresh ginger (sliced)
¼ tsp nutmeg
Optional Add-Ins
½ cup honey or maple syrup (to taste)
½ cup pomegranate seeds
Sliced oranges and apples
Fresh cranberries
Optional Alcohol (For Adults)
½–1 cup white rum, dark rum, spiced rum, or red wine
🔥 How to Make It (Hot Version)
Add cranberry juice, apple cider, orange juice, and water to a large pot.
Stir in zest, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, ginger, and nutmeg.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Reduce heat and let it warm for 20–30 minutes.
Taste and add honey or maple syrup if you like it sweeter.
Add fruit slices and pomegranate seeds.
Serve hot in mugs.
If using alcohol, add it at the end off the heat to preserve flavor.
❄️ Cold Version (Punch Bowl Style)
In a large pitcher or punch bowl, mix all juices and water.
Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and ginger.
Refrigerate 2 hours to infuse flavors.
Add ice before serving.
Add alcohol right before serving (optional).
Garnish with orange slices, rosemary sprigs, and cranberries.
⭐ Flavor Tips
Add sparkling water for a fizzy holiday punch.
Swap cranberry juice for pomegranate juice for a deeper red color.
Add vanilla extract (½ tsp) for a warm, cozy twist.
For a kid-friendly treat, garnish with candy canes!
🎁 Perfect For
Christmas parties
Thanksgiving dinner
Winter celebrations
Holiday movie nights
Potlucks and gatherings