Clementine Cranberry Brandy Christmas Punch
A make-ahead Christmas punch with brandy, cranberry juice, clementine and a herbal honey liqueur, chilled and topped with ginger ale. Serves 8 for a party.
I like a big, ruby-red bowl of punch because it lets me enjoy the party instead of mixing drinks all night. The clementine and cranberry taste bright and festive, and the brandy gives it warmth. It is easy to make and easy to share.
Saúl’s Tip
Use big ice cubes or a block of ice in the bowl. They melt slowly, so the punch stays cold without turning watery.
Tips for Success
- Chill for 2 to 3 hours only. Longer than that and the citrus flavor can get sharp.
- Add the ginger ale at the very end to keep it bubbly.
- Use plenty of ice in the bowl, or the punch will warm up quickly.
- Taste before serving. A little more clementine juice makes it brighter.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Mix the punch base (everything except ice and ginger ale) up to 3 hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Do not store leftovers with ginger ale in them. The base alone can be kept for another day, though the flavor will be sharper. To feed 24 guests, triple the recipe in a large punch bowl.
Variations
- Non-alcoholic swap: replace the brandy and liqueur with 3 cups apple juice and 1 tbsp honey.
- Float a block of frozen cranberry ice in the bowl to keep it cold.
- Use sparkling wine instead of ginger ale for a fancier finish.
Clementine Cranberry Brandy Christmas Punch
Ingredients
Instructions
- Juice about 5 clementines and strain out the seeds.
- Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the tip of a knife.
- In a large pitcher, stir together the cranberry juice, brandy, honey liqueur, clementine juice and vanilla.
- Add the clementine slices and the cherries.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours. Do not chill longer, or the citrus can turn the flavor sharp.
- Fill a large punch bowl or jug halfway with ice.
- Pour in the chilled punch and stir for about 20 seconds.
- Let the punch sit for 5 minutes so the ice can soften the strength a little.
- Slowly pour in the ginger ale and stir once. Ladle into glasses with a few fruit slices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people does this punch serve?
It makes about 8 small glasses (5 to 6 oz each). Double or triple it for a larger party.
What can I use if I do not have herbal honey liqueur?
Use an orange liqueur or a sweet vermouth in the same amount. The punch will taste a little different but still festive.
Can I make this punch without alcohol?
Yes. Replace the brandy and liqueur with 3 cups of apple juice and 1 tbsp honey. Keep the rest the same.
