I call this perfect holiday punch recipe ‘Santa’s Little Helper’ for two reasons: one because it’s the name of the scrappy little dog in The Simpsons and I always thought he was cute. The other is because Mama needs some Santa’s Little Helper to get through this massive pile of gifts to wrap, cookies to bake, and halls to deck. Personally, I use champagne as the bubbly in the punch but if you’re hoping NOT to have (double) visions of sugarplums dancing in your head you can substitute Sierra Mist or another lemon/lime soda to make it family-friendly. However, I’ve had two glasses while writing this post so… there’s that. It’s SO good. 🙂
BEST Christmas Punch Recipe: Santa’s Little Helper!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle champagne OR use a lemon-lime soda like Sierra Mist to make it non-alcoholic
- 1 bottle cranberry juice blend
- 1 cup sugar try to use superfine sugar if you can find it
- 1 cup frozen lemonade concentrate thawed
- 1 cup frozen orange juice concentrate thawed
- ice
- water for amount, see below
- garnishes: lemon slices, cranberries, fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Combine the champagne and the cranberry juice blend. Add the sugar, and stir vigorously until combined.
- Add the thawed concentrates, stir.
- If you want a strong punch you can leave as is and just add some ice. You may wish to dilute with up to three cups of water (add water to taste) depending on your personal preference. Remember adding ice will also dilute the punch a bit so don’t go overboard on both ice and water. 🙂
- Add your garnishes– a bag of fresh cranberries, lemon slices (wash the lemons well if including the peels), perhaps a sprig of fresh rosemary or two for a fresh kick.
Notes
How to Make The Best Christmas Punch (VIDEO)
How to Serve Christmas Punch
There are several ways to serve this delicious punch depending on the size of the crowd and the space you have for serving it. A punch bowl with ladle is a good bet, and we love beverage dispensers for easy pouring too. If you do get a dispenser, I recommend one with a stand so there’s room to dispense the punch without hanging the spigot over the edge of the table which might cause spills and drips on your floor. Here’s a few of our favorites:
This is the same punch featured in the galvanized beverage dispenser when I shared tips for easy holiday hosting (and the tutorial for the fairy lights!) but please note I didn’t add the lemonade and orange juice concentrate for that photo shoot so it’s darker in the photos below.
However, the photos give a good idea of the various garnishes, including cranberries + lemon slices.
Think Santa’s Little Helper sounds like the perfect Christmas punch recipe? It’s also great for baby showers (minus the champagne) and other festive gatherings. Champagne also makes it great for New Years.
Try this festive punch recipe and let me know what you think! Will Santa’s Little Helper be YOUR pal this holiday season? :: hiccup ::
Rebecca @ Stapler Confessions says
YUM!
Susie says
When I first saw this on instagram I knew I had to try it! I think I will make a batch for new years. Thanks for sharing!
Carrie Higgins says
Thanks for coming on over Susie, and I hope you enjoy it!
Janet says
When you suggest one bottle of cranberry How many ounces. It comes in several oz
Carrie Higgins says
Around 64 ounces. 🙂
Lisa says
I loved this Carrie! My Grandmother Grace gave me a similar recipe I’ve used for years. I just found your blog and I love it. I live in Sanford, N.C. but work in Raleigh, so we’re practically neighbors! Thanks for sharing. May I ask what app you used to post hour recipe cards? I’m trying to finish a recipe book for each of my girls. I LOVE how this views and prints. I’m not the most computer savvy but if you recommend it, I’ll give it a go. TIA,
LISA
Gina Badalaty says
This is my favorite kind of punch: champagne plus fruit juices!
Carrie @ Chockababy says
Ummmm… yum! Pinning this for NYE 🙂
Jessica @FoundtheMarbles says
That sounds refreshing and delightful!
Lauryn says
This looks SO good! I’ll have to make a kids batch AND an adults batch:)
Noelle (@singerinkitchen) says
DAMN!! I wish I had all the ingredients!
Julie Hill says
This looks amazing!! How many servings does this make approximately?
Carrie Higgins says
Hi Julie! I can’t remember exactly, but I think it’s quite a bit. I need to whip some up soon to answer that question, actually!
Tracie says
I’m planning to make this for a little party we are having. What is ‘cranberry juice blend’??
Carrie Higgins says
If you look in the juice aisle, you’ll find two kinds of cranberry juices: the 100% cranberry juice (pretty tart) or the famous ones like Ocean Spray that are actually blends. You could probably use the 100% juice one but you’d definitely need to adjust the sugar higher. I use an organic version of the Ocean Spray blend. Hope that helps!
Jenna says
This looks delicious. And practical. Because the only way to manage Christmas with some family members is with some “help” from Santa. Can’t wait to make this. Pinning!
Carrie Higgins says
HAHAHA! You made me laugh out loud. I love my family, but there is a reason we celebrate Christmas with our best friends instead. 😉
Holly says
Could I use white wine instead of champagne?
Carrie Higgins says
I’m not a wine drinker so I can’t say for sure how that would taste. Champagne gives it bubbles and makes it fizzy, which I like. However white wine may make it like a sangria, which isn’t a bad thing!
Melissa says
Sounds yummy! But quick question, when you say a bottle of cranberry what size bottle do you use (ounces)? Thanks!
Carrie Higgins says
Gosh, I don’t know the exact size. I use the organic version of the Ocean Spray cranberry juice blend, maybe it’s 64 ounces? I’ll check the next time I’m at the store.
Malorie says
How many servings do you think is? Have a group of ladies over for cookie exchange and wanted to make this! Wasn’t sure if I should double the recipe.
Carrie Higgins says
Hi Malorie! I really do need to count the next time I make this. Usually it gets consumed so quickly I have no idea how much it makes.
It’s also tricky because it depends on how much water you add at the end (if any), and the serving size of the glasses you’re using. If you’re using small punch glasses (about 4oz), I’d say it makes at least 16 servings. But if your glasses are bigger (6 to 8 oz) then it might be less. However, most bottles of champagne have 6 servings, plus the 60 oz or so cranberry juice bottle is about 10 servings plus you’re adding additional ingredients so that’s how I arrived at the number. Hope that helps!
Danielle says
Hi, how many servings does the above recipe make?
Carrie Higgins says
Hi Danielle, it’s a little hard for me to judge because it depends on how much water you add at the end (if any), and the serving size of the glasses you’re using. If you’re using small punch glasses (about 4oz), I’d say it makes at least 16 servings. But if your glasses are bigger (6 to 8 oz) then it might be less. However, most bottles of champagne have 6 servings, plus the 60 oz or so cranberry juice bottle is about 10 servings plus you’re adding additional ingredients so that’s how I arrived at the number. It’s terrible but I never counted how many servings, however if you have a crowd there it will be all gone by the end. 🙂
Eleni says
Any chance I can use Prosecco instead of champagne ? this looks so perfectly yummy for my Holiday Party
Carrie Higgins says
I haven’t tried it with Prosecco so I can’t be sure, but they’re often used interchangeably so I bet it would taste fine.
Carol says
I used less Cranapple and prosecco and loved it – you can alter per your taste
Thank you for posting – this was a huge hit
Carrie Higgins says
I’m so glad it was enjoyed! Great tip about the Cranapple!
Melissa Nelson says
This was perfect! I made it last year and I went back to find the recipe to make it again for the holidays! Thank you!!
Shannon says
Looks yummy. What kind of champagne did you use? Dry, extra dry? Thank you
Carrie Higgins says
I can’t remember what I used, but I think any type will do. If you’d like it less sweet, I’d go for extra dry.
Sherri Hall says
What size bottle of sierra mist or lemon lime, 2 liter?
michelle santore says
How many cans of each frozen concentrate are needed? I haven’t bought it in years and want to make sure I get enough. This looks and sounds delicious. Planning to serve it for Christmas Eve.
Anon12323 says
Could you use tequila/vodka instead of champagne with a lemon lime soda?
Carolyn says
When you say champagne do you mean real champagne or sparkling wine like Martini &Rossi Asti?
Carrie Higgins says
You can use any type of sparkling beverage. I personally use champagne or prosecco, but any type of sparkling wine would work.
Molly says
Recipe says “cup” of sugar but for the concentrates it says “c.”…does that mean a can of concentrate or a cup of the concentrate?
Carrie Higgins says
Cup. 🙂
Jennifer says
How much of the Sierra Mist do you want it? Not included in the recipe.
Carrie Higgins says
If you’re not using champagne, use a bottle of Sierra Mist. If using champagne, skip the Sierra Mist.
Jan says
Hi, on your Santa’s little helper punch for the frozen lemonade and orange juice does that ‘c’ mean ‘can’ or ‘cup’?? I’m making Thursday-help!!
Carrie Higgins says
It’s a cup. 🙂
Carmen says
I’ve made this punch from your recipe the last two years at Christmas and a for a few other occasions as well. It’s so good and always a hit! I cut the sugar to 1/2 c and added no water, only ice. Have made with both champagne and Sierra Mist – equally good! A big thank you for this one! And Happy Thanksgiving!!
Carmen says
Oh yay! You’re welcome!!
Stephenie says
Hi, should I use pink or regular lemonade?
Sue says
Wondering how much water, if any. I don’t want it to taste watered down. How much do you personally add?
Carrie Higgins says
Either one would work!
Carrie Higgins says
I like it pretty strong, so I don’t know if I used any. I think I just used ice (but it’s been over a year since I made it, so I could be wrong). I’d make it without water, and then taste it, and if it’s too powerful add a half a cup at a time.