Discover how to make the BEST Christmas punch for Christmas morning (or night!). This recipe includes both alcohol and non-alcoholic options. You can serve it for your friends for a boozy get-together while also making another batch that kiddos (and anyone not drinking alcohol) can enjoy too.

By the way, if you are looking for another awesome holiday cocktail recipe, you’ll love this Yule Mule, my spin on a Moscow mule. This mulled cranberry mocktail recipe is also fantastic if you are avoiding alcohol.

There are so many things to love about this cocktail. From the bubbles to the citrus and the tangy seasonal cranberry juice, this drink is scrumptious. Add your favorite garnish and pour it in a fancy glass and you have a super-fun drink that is perfect for parties.

collage of how to make the best Christmas punch

Christmas Punch: Santa’s Little Helper

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.

Video: How to Make The Best Christmas Punch

If you prefer to learn by watching, then here is a quick video showing you how to make this delicious and festive drink.

How To Make Cranberry Christmas Punch

All of the details are in the printable recipe card a little further down in this post. First, here are some tips and tricks that I learned after making it a few times.

Christmas Punch Ingredients

Here is what I used in my Christmas punch, along with any substitutions you can make.

Champagne: If you are making a non-alcoholic mocktail, then use a lemon-lime soda such as Sierra Mist instead.
Cranberry Juice Blend: If you use sweetened cranberry juice, you can cut back on how much sugar you add later.
Sugar: Try to use super-fine sugar. It blends in better with the rest of the ingreidents.
Frozen Lemonade Concentrate: Use pure lemonade concentrate. If you try to use a mixture (like strawberry lemonade) it will alter how the entire drink tastes.
Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate: If you can find it, try to use an orange juice concentrate that doesn’t have pulp.
Ice: Use as much ice as you want, but remember that it will water it down. If you want to keep it strong, make some cranberry juice ice cubes.
Water: Remember that the more water you use, the more diluted the drink will be. You could make this without any water at all if you want a strong and fruity drink.
Garnish: Have fun with your garnishes! I used lemon but you could use a sprig of thyme or rosemary and a few cranberries.

Tools and Supplies

This is a cocktail that you stir, so you don’t need any fancy cocktail equipment. All you need is a pitcher and something to stir the ingredients with. You can use a long cocktail stirrer or a wooden spoon.

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 a ladle is a good bet. I also 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 are 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!).

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Punch

Here are some questions people often ask about how to make this festive punch. If you have an additional question, please leave it in the comments.

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How long will this punch last in the refrigerator?

This punch will last up to a week in the refrigerator. However, I would wait until just before serving to add the champagne (or soda) to the rest of the drink.

If you are going to store leftovers, I suggest keeping it in an airtight container. The best containers for drinks like this is a pitcher with a lid or even multiple mason jars that seal tightly. Just keep in mind that the bubbles will deplete very quickly, and this drink is just better with bubbles!

What kind of parties can you serve this punch at?

Think Santa’s Little Helper sounds like the perfect Christmas punch recipe? It is! But, it’s also great for baby showers (minus the champagne) and other festive gatherings. The champagne also makes it great for New Year’s parties.

How do you make non-alcoholic Christmas punch?

It is really easy to make this punch into a non-alcoholic mocktail. All you have to do is replace the champagne with a lemon-lime drink. The best choices are either Sierra Mist or Sprite.

What is the best kind of glass for Christmas punch?

The best thing about this drink is that you can serve it in any type of glass. I like using a regular drinking glass. It’s super easy and durable.

What are the best types of garnish for the punch?

Pull out some of the flavors and use them as garnishes. The best types are either lemon or orange slices and some whole cranberries. You can also garnish with springs of either rosemary or thyme.

How many servings does this punch make?

This recipe makes enough to serve a crowd. It will serve at least 8 people but could be more, depending on how full you fill each cup.

Try this festive punch recipe and let me know what you think! Will Santa’s Little Helper be YOUR pal this holiday season?

BEST Christmas Punch Recipe: Santa's Little Helper

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