Juicy, Boozy Punch Recipes to Try This Festive Season

The holiday season is here, which means it’s time for festive gatherings, parties, and lots of celebrating. According to research from Swns Digital, nearly 40 percent of Americans are preparing for their busiest holiday season yet, and on average, most will attend around three gatherings over the festive season. If you’re one of the millions of people who are gearing up to host a holiday party and want to impress your guests, or you’re planning to attend one and don’t want to go empty-handed, you can’t go wrong with a big bowl of punch. Alcoholic or not, punch is easy to make and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s simple to make with plant-based ingredients, too. Check out some of our go-to punch recipes, perfect for the holiday season, below. 

Jump to the recipes

What makes a drink a punch?

Punch has been enjoyed in England and the US for centuries. According to Taster’s Club, it was first invented by English sailors, who mixed high-proof spirits with water to make them more drinkable at sea. When they arrived in India in the 1600s, the sailors began to mix Indian spices with spirits and water to add flavor, and the resulting drink, which became known as punch, was a hit—not just with sailors, but with Londoners and American colonists, too. In fact, according to the alcohol subscription service, punch was even served at celebrations after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Getty

RELATED: 7 Holiday Martini Recipes, From Eggless Eggnog to Espresso

Today, just like it was enjoyed back in the 1600s and 1700s, punch today usually contains one or more spirits (often rum or vodka), alongside sweeteners like syrup or honey, soda, spices, and citrus fruits. Unlike cocktails, which are served in individual glasses, punch is usually offered in a large bowl with a ladle for guests to help themselves. Sometimes punch bowls are garnished with fruit and herbs, too.

5 ways to make a delicious punch this holiday season

Audrey Fitzjohn

1 Vegan Citrus Punch

Taken from the Vegan Christmas cookbook, this recipe combines fresh orange, lemon, and grapefruit with gin, tonic, cinnamon, and syrup to make a warming, citrusy holiday punch that is perfect for a festive gathering. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that can be easily customized to fit your tastes and requirements.
Get the recipe

Go Dairy Free

2 Spiced Cider Punch

Most traditional punches are made with spirits, but there’s nothing to stop you from adding a little bit of apple cider to the mix, too, just like in this delicious recipe from Go Dairy Free. It also mixes in granny smith apple slices, ginger beer, star anise, cinnamon, and frozen cranberries to create a concoction that truly tastes just like the holiday season. “I think this spiced cider punch could bring your get-together to the next level,” says recipe developer Alisa Fleming.
Get the recipe

Madeleine Olivia

3 Festive Alcohol-Free Punch

Punch doesn’t need to be alcoholic. If you’re hosting sober guests or children, it’s a good idea to have an alcohol-free option on hand, too. This recipe from Madeleine Olivia is completely virgin, but it doesn’t sacrifice any flavor, thanks to the mixed spices, ginger ale, oranges, lemons, and pomegranates. Sparkling water adds a nice fizz, too.
Get the recipe

Half Baked Harvest

4 Pomegranate Punch

This simple recipe from Half Baked Harvest is loaded with delicious fruity flavor, thanks to the combination of pomegranate juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice. Champagne adds a little liveliness to the bowl, while vodka adds a strong kick of alcohol to the mix. For garnish, add rosemary sprigs and star anise. As recipe developer Tieghan Gerard says, “It’s Christmastime in a punch bowl.”
Get the recipe

Cookie and Kate

5 Vanilla-Pear Punch

If you want to dial down the sweetness in your punch bowl, this recipe from Cookie and Kate offers the perfect balance of flavors. It’s also unique in the sense that it’s made with tequila, which mixes beautifully with vanilla, spices, and pear. “This holiday punch is unlike any I’ve ever had, and I think you’re going to love it,” says recipe developer Kathryne Taylor. “It’s a smooth, easy sipper, even with tequila inside.”
Get the recipe

Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.