Christmas Punch with Ice Wreath

This festive Christmas Punch is bright, refreshing, and beautiful enough to be the centerpiece of your holiday table. Made with pomegranate juice, orange juice, sparkling citrus water, and ginger ale, it's perfectly balanced between sweet and tart. The gorgeous frozen ice wreath, filled with fresh cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary, keeps the punch cold without watering it down while adding a stunning holiday touch.

Prep Time15

Freeze Time1

Total Time1 15

Servings:

Calories: 159kcal

Equipment

Punch Bowl
Bundt cake pan

Ingredients

For the Ice Wreath

1 cup fresh cranberries washed
1 orange thinly sliced
3-4 fresh rosemary sprigs
Filtered or distilled water

For the Punch

5 cups pomegranate juice chilled
4 cups pulp-free orange juice chilled
5 cups lemon or lime sparkling water chilled (I used Spindrift)
3 cups ginger ale, not ginger beer chilled (or substitute additional sparkling water or club soda for a less sweet punch)
1 cups white rum or gin optional
1 orange thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh cranberries for serving
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)

Instructions

How to Make the Ice Wreath

Arrange the cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary sprigs inside a medium Bundt pan or decorative ring mold.
Slowly pour in enough filtered water to completely cover the fruit and herbs.
Cover with plastic wrap or foil and freeze overnight, or until completely solid.

How to Make the Christmas Punch

To remove the ice wreath, invert the mold onto a serving platter and run warm tap water over the outside of the pan for a few seconds until the ice releases.
Carefully transfer the ice wreath to a large punch bowl.
Pour in the pomegranate juice, orange juice, sparkling water, ginger ale, and optional rum or gin.
Stir gently to combine.
Garnish with the remaining orange slices, fresh cranberries, and additional rosemary sprigs if desired.
Ladle into glasses and serve immediately.

Notes

Expert Tips

Use chilled ingredients. Keeping everything cold helps the ice wreath last longer.
Use filtered or distilled water for a crystal-clear ice wreath instead of cloudy ice.
Freeze at least 24 hours. A fully frozen ice ring melts much more slowly.
Wait to add the sparkling ingredients. Add the sparkling water and ginger ale just before serving so the punch stays fizzy.
Make it kid-friendly. Simply omit the alcohol for a delicious non-alcoholic holiday punch.
Serve in a large punch bowl. This recipe makes approximately 20 cups, making it perfect for holiday gatherings.

Storage

The punch is best served immediately after mixing.
If making ahead, combine the pomegranate juice and orange juice and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add the sparkling water, ginger ale, alcohol (if using), and ice wreath just before serving.

Nutrition