Non Alcoholic Christmas Punch

When planning a Christmas party, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of all the cookies, gingerbread, and crescent rolls and forget all about the beverages. But let’s be honest –no holiday gathering is complete without a refreshing festive drink to complement the spread. That’s where this alcohol-free cranberry pineapple Christmas punch with ginger ale comes in! 

I’ve been serving this alcohol-free Christmas punch at holiday parties for years, and it’s always been a hit. The original recipe calls for A LOT of sugar, but I wanted to create a version that’s just as tasty but lighter and lower in calories. My guests have never noticed the difference!

The best party? It’s easy to make and even easier to customize, whether serving it as a refreshing non-alcoholic option or spiking it with a bit of vodka, rum, or champagne. With the combination of sugar-free cranberry and pineapple juices, a hint of almond extract, frozen cranberries, and a fizzy diet ginger ale finish, it’s everything you want in a holiday party punch without the excessive calories!

Recipe highlights

• It’s a guaranteed hit at any holiday gathering for kids and adults alike –but you can easily add alcohol for an adult-only version.
• It’s a lighter, lower-calorie alternative to classic sugary party punches without compromising flavor.
• Frozen cranberries act as “ice cubes” to keep your Christmas punch perfectly chilled without watering it down.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Fresh cranberries. When frozen, they serve as festive “ice cubes” to keep the punch chilled without diluting it. If fresh cranberries are not available, you can use frozen cranberries directly. 
• Cranberry juice. The fruity, festive base of our punch! Select 100% cranberry juice with no added sugars to keep the drink naturally sweetened. 
• Pineapple juice. Balances the tartness of the cranberry juice with a sweet, tropical flavor. Use unsweetened pineapple juice to avoid added sugars. 
• Granulated stevia. My preferred zero-calorie, natural sweetener. It can be much sweeter than sugar, so be careful not to add too much. 
• Almond extract.  Don’t skip this ingredient! The nutty essence complements the sweetness beautifully, creating a unique, vibrant flavor. 
• Ginger ale. For some bubbles and fizz! I used diet ginger ale, but regular ginger ale works just as well if you’re okay with the extra sugar and calories.

How to make non-alcoholic Christmas punch 

Step 1: Freeze the cranberries. Rinse the cranberries thoroughly under cold water, then spread them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer until completely frozen.

Step 2:  Mix the ingredients. Combine the remaining ingredients except the ginger ale in a large container. Give it a good stir to make sure everything’s mixed nicely.

Step 3:  Refrigerate. Cover the container and refrigerate the mixture for at least one day to allow all the flavors to meld and mingle. 

Step 4: Finish and serve. Just before serving, add the ginger ale and frozen cranberries. Pour your punch into glasses and enjoy the holiday cheer!

Recipe tips and FAQs

• Before freezing, spread the cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This prevents them from clumping together and makes using just the amount you need easier.
• Add ginger ale just before serving the punch to maintain the carbonation. Stir gently to preserve the fizz!
• You’ll need a punch bowl or clear beverage dispenser large enough to hold at least 5 quarts of liquid. This gives you plenty of room to mix the punch without making a mess and makes it easier to serve. 

Substitutions and variations

One of the best things about this non-alcoholic Christmas punch recipe is how simple it is to personalize it to suit your style. Here are some fun ideas:

• Instead of cranberry juice – Use pomegranate juice for a similar tartness and vibrant color. 
• Instead of pineapple juice – Try orange juice or a mix of orange and apple juice for a different but equally delightful flavor.
• Instead of Stevia – Experiment with other sweeteners like honey, agave, or maple syrup. For a sugar-free alternative, try monk fruit sweetener. 
• Carbonation options – Swap the ginger ale for Sprite or your favorite lemon-lime. Or, substitute part of the ginger ale with sparkling water or club soda. 
• Fresh citrus and herbs – Garnish the punch bowl or individual glass with slices of fresh citrus fruit, pomegranate arils, whole cinnamon sticks, or sprigs of fresh rosemary.
• Sweetened frozen cranberries – Toss them with granulated stevia or sugar before freezing to give them a frosty look and add an extra touch of sweetness. 

Storing and freezing

Storing: Refrigerate any leftover non-alcoholic Christmas punch for up to 2 days. Note that the carbonation from the ginger ale will go flat over time. 

Freezing: You can also freeze it in an ice cube tray and then use the frozen fruit punch cubes to keep future holiday punch pools cool without watering them down. 

More festive mocktails and cocktails

• Fresh Cranberry Prosecco Mimosa 
• Blood Orange Vodka Cocktail 
• Red Wine Christmas Sangria
• Raspberry Ginger Fizz
• Ginger Beer Mocktail 

If you love this easy non alcoholic holiday punch recipe, I would be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star 🌟 rating in the recipe card below. I love reading your comments and feedback!

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