Cranberry White Grape Christmas Punch

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Nothing will put you in the holiday mood quite like a refreshing, bubbly, and bright Cranberry White Grape Christmas Punch! Delight your family and loved ones with little effort by throwing this fizzy and fruity classic punch together for your next holiday gathering.

Everyone looks forward to the festive dishes and desserts when this special time of year rolls around. But, the beverages can often be forgotten.

There’s just something about sugary punch that makes an event feel extra special. Maybe it’s the bright and fruity flavor or the bubbly fizz. Whatever it is, it certainly has a way of putting a smile on your guests’ faces. 

I love that this white grape punch recipe is simple and EASY — we can all use less stress during the holidays, right? If you agree, you’ll also love these other holiday drink recipes: Easy Wassail Hot Cider and Easy Homemade Egg Nog — both are delicious party pleasers!

Key ingredients & substitutions for White Grape Punch

• Grapes | Fresh green seedless grapes add color and sweetness to the punch. While you could use red grapes instead, the green grapes bring a dash of sour flavor to the recipe.
• Cranberries | Fresh cranberries bring vibrant color and a burst of sugary-tart flavor. If preferred, use cherries instead.
• Oranges | You’ll need two medium oranges thinly sliced to add refreshing citrus notes to the punch.
• White grape juice | Pour white grape juice for a sweet and mildly fruity base.

• Pomegranate or cranberry juice | Pomegranate juice or cranberry juice will complement the mild white grape juice with a more robust and rich fruity flavor. For a more sugary taste, use cranberry juice. Or use pomegranate juice for deeper and more tart notes. If desired, use a combination of the two.
• Ginger ale | Ginger ale cuts the sweetness of the punch and adds festive fizz. 
• Garnish | I like to use fresh rosemary or mint leaves to garnish the drinks. However, you can try something different or omit the garnish altogether.

Equipment options

• Punch Bowl
• Bundt Pan
• Fancy Glasses
• Garnishing Picks

How to make Cranberry and White Grape Punch

Making Christmas punch is oh-so-easy. There’s hardly any way to go wrong with this recipe. Just prep the fruit, mix all the ingredients, and serve!

STEP 1 |Freeze the fruit and slice the oranges

To get this recipe started, first freeze the fresh grapes and cranberries- yes, freeze them. Begin with thoroughly rinsing and drying them with paper towels. Next, line a rimmed baking sheet with wax or parchment paper, and lay the fruit in a single layer so they do not freeze in one big clump. Place the baking sheet of fruit in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours. 

Step away to check some other chores off your list and return to the kitchen once the cranberries and grapes are completely frozen. Then, thinly slice the oranges with a well-sharpened knife. 

Choose a punch bowl or pitcher fit for the occasion and add the frozen grapes and cranberries. Then, layer the vibrant orange slices on top.

STEP 2 | Stir in the juice

Next, grab the pomegranate and white grape juice and gently stir them into the punch bowl or pitcher with the fruit.

STEP 3 | Add the ginger ale

This festive drink is almost complete! Before serving, add the ginger ale and stir it into the juices and fruit.

STEP 4 | Garnish and serve!

Lastly, create a beautiful holiday display by garnishing the glasses with rosemary sprigs or fresh mint leaves. Then, serve the Christmas punch to all your holiday guests! Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions

Toppings

While you don’t have to garnish this beverage, it certainly makes it feel more festive for the holidays. Top the punch with fresh mint or rosemary springs, a freshly cut orange wedge, or cranberries on a skewer. 

Serving suggestions

This white grape punch is perfect for sipping through dinner, presents, and quality family time. However, it’s never more complete than when paired with a delightfully sweet dessert. 

After a filling holiday feast, serve a chilled glass of this cranberry white grape punch with one or more of these delicious recipes:

• Cranberry Christmas Cake
• Raspberry Ricotta Cake
• Bite-Size Cherry Tartlets
• Blueberry Cheesecake in a Jar
• Cranberry Orange Bread

For the perfect holiday beverages to serve at your next festive event, explore my many drink recipes, including classic Hot Apple Cider, this Refreshing Blueberry-Mint Tea, or a steaming mug of my sweet Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha.

Behind the recipe: Christmas Punch

Classic party punch has a fascinating and lengthy history. While the exact origins are unknown, it is agreed that punch was made popular by sailors on long voyages in the 17th century. They would drink their way through the travels, beer being their choice. However, when the crew would reach warmer water, the beer often became rancid.

Therefore, the sailors would create new drinks from what they had available at the shores they reached. Explorers made their way to many tropical lands during this period, so the local ingredients were typically spices, citrus, and rum.

From this combination of ingredients came punch. Sailors would bring the goods back home with them. Because they were rare at home, punch remained a luxurious beverage for some time until mixers became popular among the middle class.

Soon enough, punch was served at most formal gatherings. In fact, the founding fathers guzzled down 76 bowls of punch as they celebrated the signing of the Declaration of Independence!

And now you know!