There’s something about the zesty tang of oranges mixed with tart cranberries that instantly makes me think of joyful holiday gatherings. This Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe is bright, bubbly, and perfect for serving up at any winter celebration to get everyone in the spirit.

A clear glass filled with a deep red drink has many red berries floating on top. There is a brown cinnamon stick and a dried orange slice standing upright in the drink. Behind the glass, there is a second glass filled with the same red drink. The drink sits on a small square golden mat placed on a white marbled surface with a red and green patterned cloth underneath. Surrounding the glass are two cinnamon sticks, some dried orange slices, a pomegranate half showing red seeds, and a red ribbon. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve served this punch at so many holiday parties and it never fails to be the star of the drink table. What makes it truly special is how effortlessly it balances fresh fruit flavors with just the right amount of sparkle and optional warmth from rum.

Vibrant fresh ingredients: Fresh orange slices, cranberries, and pomegranate seeds add color and natural bright flavor.
Simple yet impressive: With pantry staples like cranberry and orange juice plus a fizzy soda, it’s easy to throw together but looks gorgeous.
Customizable for every crowd: You can leave the rum out for a kid-friendly mocktail or mix in your favorite spirits for an adult-friendly version.
Make ahead convenience: Prep it early and just add ice and soda before serving to keep it fresh and fizzy.

A white bowl filled with red punch, showing a top layer where bright orange slices float evenly spaced, surrounded by whole red cranberries scattered close together along the edge. Green rosemary sprigs add contrast in between the fruits. In the middle, a clear ladle holds up the red punch, its smooth surface shining with liquid light reflections. The background is a white marbled texture with cinnamon sticks and pine cones partially visible at the edges, creating a warm and festive look, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This punch blends tart, sweet, and citrus flavors for a perfectly balanced festive drink. Choosing good-quality juices and fresh garnishes really makes it shine—trust me, it’s worth the little extra effort!

Flat lay of a sliced fresh orange arranged beside a small pile of bright red cranberries, a handful of glossy pomegranate seeds in a simple white ceramic bowl, another white bowl filled with vibrant cranberry juice, a small white ceramic bowl with deep orange-colored fresh orange juice, a white bowl holding rich ruby red pomegranate juice, a white bowl containing clear sparkling lemon-lime soda with bubbles visible, and a few fresh rosemary sprigs elegantly placed nearby, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly balanced and symmetrically arranged in a professional flat lay style placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Orange slices: Fresh slices add bright citrus aroma and look stunning floating in the punch bowl.
Cranberries: Their tartness contrasts nicely with sweet juices and they add festive red color.
Pomegranate seeds: These juicy little bursts offer texture and a jewel-like appearance.
Cranberry juice: I prefer Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened for its natural flavor and beautiful deep red color.
Orange juice: Choose a brand like Simply or Natalie’s for fresh, natural sweetness without overpowering.
Pomegranate juice: POM is my go-to for a rich, slightly tart depth that complements the other juices.
Lemon-lime soda: Adds refreshing fizz and a mild sweetness to lighten the punch.
White rum (optional): I love adding some rum for a warming kick, but it’s just as delicious without it.
Fresh rosemary sprigs: Use these as a garnish for a fragrant herbaceous note and festive look.
Ice: Adds chill and dilutes slightly to mellow the flavors just right.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Over the years, I’ve played around with this Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe to suit different tastes. Don’t hesitate to tweak it to match your party vibe or dietary needs—it’s all about what makes you and your guests happy!

Variation: For a non-alcoholic version, just skip the rum and serve it in a beautiful glass pitcher with extra ice and garnishes—kids and adults alike will love it.
Seasonal twist: Adding a handful of frozen cranberries or citrus slices as ice cubes is a fun way to keep the punch cold without watering it down quickly.
Flavor booster: If you love a little spice, stir in a cinnamon stick to steep briefly for a warm aroma before serving.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Fresh Fruit

Start by slicing one orange into thin rounds—these will float beautifully on top and infuse the punch with extra citrus flavor. Rinse a cup of fresh cranberries and gather half a cup of pomegranate seeds. Adding these colorful fruits to the bowl makes the punch feel extra festive and inviting right away.

Step 2: Combine Juices and Soda

Pour 2 cups of cranberry juice, 2 cups of orange juice, 1 cup of pomegranate juice, and 2 cups of lemon-lime soda into your punch bowl or large pitcher. Pour gently to keep some of the fizz intact. If you’re serving adults, now’s a great time to add in 1 cup of white rum or your preferred spirit.

Step 3: Chill and Serve

Give everything a gentle stir, but don’t mix too vigorously or you’ll lose the bubbles. Serve over glasses filled with ice, and garnish each with fresh rosemary sprigs and extra cranberries or orange slices. These little touches take the presentation to another level and impress your guests every time.

Top Tip

From my many holiday celebrations, I’ve learned a few tricks to nail this Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe perfectly every time.

Pre-chill everything: I always chill all my juices and soda before mixing so the punch stays icy cold without needing tons of ice that waters it down.
Add soda last: Mix all juices together first, then gently pour in the soda right before serving to keep that lovely fizz intact.
Use fresh garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs add an unexpected festive aroma that makes the punch feel special and seasonal.
Keep spirits on the side: Especially handy for parties where some guests prefer it alcohol-free—let them add their own rum or whiskey to customize.

How to Serve Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe

cranberry orange punch - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to top this punch with sprigs of fresh rosemary because the piney scent somehow perfectly matches the holiday mood. Plus, those bright red cranberries and shiny orange slices add vibrant pops of color. Sometimes I freeze extra cranberries into ice cubes for an extra-festive touch that’s as cute as it is practical.

Side Dishes

This punch pairs beautifully with cozy holiday nibbles like spiced nuts, cheese boards, or your favorite finger sandwiches. At a recent party, I served it alongside some warm gingerbread cookies and it was a hit—such a nice contrast between warm spice and cold, fruity punch.

Creative Ways to Present

For larger parties, I sometimes serve this punch in a large glass dispenser with a spigot—it’s easy for guests to help themselves, and looks gorgeous layered with floating fruits. Adding festive-themed ice cubes (think frozen cranberries or edible flowers) keeps it cold without diluting the flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (lucky you!), pour them into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. I’ve found the punch stays fresh if you leave out the ice and soda until serving again. Just add fresh soda bubbles and ice for that renewed sparkle.

Freezing

While fresh fruit juices don’t freeze well in large batches because they can separate, you can prepare berry or citrus ice cubes ahead of time to add to your punch when serving instead. That way, you get chilled punch without diluting flavor.

Reheating

This punch is meant to be served cold and fizzy, so I don’t recommend reheating. If you want a warm alternative, try warming some pomegranate and orange juice with spices separately to serve alongside for a cozy option.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this punch without alcohol?

Absolutely! The Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe is just as delicious without the rum. Simply omit the alcohol and serve it over ice with garnishes for a kid-friendly, festive mocktail everyone can enjoy.

What kind of cranberry juice should I use?

I recommend using 100% pure cranberry juice, like Ocean Spray Pure Unsweetened, for the best natural tartness and vibrant color. Avoid cranberry juice cocktail, which is often sweetened and can make the punch too sugary.

Can I prepare this punch in advance?

Yes! You can mix all the juices and fruit in advance and keep the punch refrigerated. Add the lemon-lime soda and ice right before serving to keep it bubbly and fresh.

Can I substitute the lemon-lime soda with something else?

For sure! Ginger ale is a great substitute, adding a slightly spicy note that pairs nicely with the citrus and cranberry flavors. Just swap it in equal amounts.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Cranberry Orange Punch Recipe has become my go-to party drink because it’s so approachable yet feels extra special. Whether you’re hosting a large crowd or a quiet family gathering, this punch brings that perfect splash of holiday cheer to the table. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—cheers to your next festive celebration!