Cranberry Punch
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Cranberry Punch is perfect for parties and special occasions. It’s delicious on its own, but just as easy to turn boozy for an adults-only drink. Make this refreshing, easy fruit punch recipe to serve to your guests!
Cranberry Punch
When l host outdoor parties, I like to serve food and drinks that are as easy to make and serve as possible. This way, I can focus on spending more time with my guests.
Some of my favorite party foods are easy appetizer recipes like this Easy Blender Salsa or 7-Layer Taco Dip. The taco dip is a favorite at game day parties too!
But what are the best DRINKS for a soiree? To be honest, I really like to set up a drink station at my parties with a little bit of something for everyone.
Cocoa bars, lemonade bars, margarita bars… anything where guests can go crazy fixing drinks.
But there always has to be something special, and nothing says special like a signature punch!
Honestly, I think this easy fruit punch recipe is the way to go for ANY party. It’s easy to make, refreshing, and everyone loves it!
This cranberry juice punch is similar to a berry sangria, which is also great for parties. However, that is an alcoholic drink, while this cranberry punch is non alcoholic.
Another thing I love about this drink is that it’s similar to a sherbet punch. Drinks with frozen juice rings and balls of sherbet floating in them are SO pretty.
The only difference here is that I make my cranberry punch with raspberry sorbet instead of sherbet.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cranberry and Pineapple Juice – The perfect sweet-tart combo that works for any season of the year!
Be sure to use 100% juice (not from concentrate) or your punch will be way too sweet. - Soda – 7-Up is my go-to, but any lemon-lime soda will do the trick! If you prefer something a little less sweet, use ginger ale instead.
- Raspberry Sorbet – This is less sweet than sherbet and guarantees that this easy fruit punch recipe is both vegan and dairy-free.
- Fresh Cranberries and Raspberries – Such a simple way to really elevate the presentation without affecting the drinkability of the punch!
You could also use frozen cranberries if needed, but avoid frozen raspberries — they’ll simply disintegrate into the drink.
Tips for Making Cranberry Juice Punch for a Party
- Chill the ingredients.
Before making the cranberry punch recipe, be sure to refrigerate the juices and soda overnight so that they are cold and ready to use.
Otherwise, you will end up using a lot of ice to chill the punch — which will water down the flavor.
- Scoop the sorbet ahead of time.
Line a muffin pan with plastic wrap. Then, scoop and transfer the sorbet into the wells of the pan.
Place the pan into the freezer overnight. This way, you can just pop them into the cranberry punch when it is party time.
- Want to add alcohol?
As written, this cranberry punch is non alcoholic. But you can easily change that!
Simply mix in your liquor of choice with the juices, or have it available on the side for guests to add to their own glass.
For adult parties, I like to swap out the lemon-lime soda with a prosecco or sweet champagne for the perfect adult punch.
Cranberry Punch Recipe FAQ
Yes, with a catch. Combine the liquids up to several hours before your party and store the mixture in the refrigerator.
Wait to add any carbonated ingredients, otherwise the drink will be flat by the time guests arrive.
And while you can scoop the sorbet or sherbet ahead of time (see the tips above), that should also be added just before serving.
Citrus is always a welcome addition to cranberry punch (non alcoholic or alcoholic alike!). Lime and orange would especially pair well with this cranberry punch recipe.
Have fruit slices available as drink garnishes, or slice into wedges so guests can squeeze the juice right into their glass!
Lemon can be tricky, but you can’t go wrong with lemonade! Use this instead of pineapple juice for a more tart, less tropical flavor.
And for the perfect wintery twist, use white cranberry juice instead of regular and swap the pineapple juice with pink lemonade!
You bet! Simply double the amount of each ingredient — if you have a large enough drink dispenser — or make a second batch to keep on hand.
Store the extra cranberry punch in the refrigerator until you need it, though you may want to wait to add the soda to keep it bubbly.
Or, freeze it into ice rings! It will keep your cranberry juice punch extra chilly without watering it down as the rings melt.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Cranberry Punch
Ingredients
- 33.8 ounces Open Nature cranberry juice, chilled
- 4 cups pinepple juice, chilled
- 2 liters 7-up, lemon-lime soda, chilled
- 2 pints Open Nature raspberry sorbet, pre-scooped
- Handful of fresh or frozen cranberries
- 6 ounces fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Combine juices and soda in your punch bowl and stir to combine. The punch will be even more delicious and sweet once the sorbet melts.
- Sprinkle fresh cranberries and raspberries over the top of the punch bowl.
- Add pre-scooped sorbet to the punch bowl when you are ready to serve.
- Serve cups with a scoop of punch and a scoop of the melted sorbet with a few raspberries and cranberries.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2020, updated and republished November 2023
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Cranberry punch? I think this is a great idea!
That’s not an ordinary recipe, since cranberries are rich in vitamin C, so this is also a healthy punch, especially the alcohol-free edition for children.
When it comes to serving adult guests, have you thought of adding rose wine, instead of white wine or champagne? I think it would pair well.
Punch is such an easy drink to customize and this recipe is so good! I made it as written and I absolutely loved it.