If you want an easy, crowd-pleasing beverage for your next gathering, try this pomegranate cranberry punch. Sparkling, festive, and simple to prepare, it works beautifully for holidays and winter parties. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions are included.
Note: this post was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2021 with new photos and improved instructions.
This champagne-style punch is one of my favorites because it uses only a few ingredients, comes together in minutes, and looks elegant on a drinks table. The blend of pomegranate and cranberry creates a tart, slightly sweet flavor that’s refreshingly bright. Serve it at Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any fall and winter gathering. A non-alcoholic version is also easy to make so everyone can enjoy it.
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Pomegranate juice: Use 100% pomegranate juice for the best flavor. Bottled refrigerated pomegranate juice highlights the fruit’s bright character; avoid juice cocktails that dilute the pomegranate taste.
- Cranberry juice cocktail: This recipe uses the sweeter cranberry juice cocktail (cranberry juice with added water and sugar). Pure cranberry juice is much tarter and can make the punch overly sour. If you prefer a milder sweetness, choose a cranberry blend.
- Garnishes: Pomegranate seeds, lemon or orange slices, and herb sprigs such as rosemary or mint make the punch look festive. Garnishes are optional but add color and aroma.
For the alcoholic pomegranate cranberry punch:
- Orange liqueur: A small amount of orange liqueur adds depth. Use whatever you have on hand; Cointreau or a similar triple sec works well.
- Sparkling wine: Choose an affordable sparkling wine you enjoy. A brut (dry) style complements the tart juices, while a sweeter sparkler will yield a sweeter punch.
For the non-alcoholic punch:
- Flavored sparkling water and/or sparkling cider: Replace the wine with sparkling water for a lighter, less sweet drink, or sparkling cider for more sweetness. A 50/50 mix of cider and sparkling water gives a balanced flavor similar to the alcoholic version. Lemon, lime, or cranberry flavored sparkling water are nice choices.
Step by step photos
1. Chill the sparkling wine or cider and all juices well before assembling the punch. Cold ingredients keep the drink crisp and help preserve carbonation.
Prep garnishes while the liquids chill: slice lemons or oranges, collect pomegranate seeds, and trim herb sprigs if using.
2. Combine the chilled pomegranate juice and cranberry juice cocktail in a pitcher or punch bowl. For the alcoholic version, add the orange liqueur at this stage.
3. Slowly add the sparkling wine for the alcoholic punch, or pour in sparkling cider and/or flavored sparkling water for the non-alcoholic punch. Pour gently to preserve bubbles.
4. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, citrus slices, and herb sprigs. Serve immediately over ice.
Tips and tricks
Follow these tips to keep the punch bright, bubbly, and flavorful throughout your event:
- Keep all ingredients very cold before assembling so the punch stays refreshing and carbonated longer.
- Mix the punch just before serving to preserve bubbles. If you have a long event, prepare a second pitcher and replenish as needed.
- Serve over ice by placing ice in individual glasses and pouring punch over it, rather than adding ice to the punch bowl. This prevents dilution as the night goes on.
Recipe FAQs
How do I keep the punch fresh throughout a long evening?
Keep ingredients chilled and assemble the punch just before serving. For extended events, prepare a second pitcher and switch out as needed so each batch retains its carbonation.
How much punch does this recipe make?
A single batch makes about 6 cups (1.4 L), roughly eight 6-ounce servings. To fill a punch bowl, double or triple the recipe depending on bowl size.
How can I make the punch sweeter?
To soften the tartness, choose a sweeter sparkling wine (demi-sec or doux) for the alcoholic version. For the non-alcoholic punch, use all sparkling cider instead of sparkling water, or pick a sweeter cranberry blend in place of cranberry juice cocktail.
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Banana Watermelon Smoothie
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Berry Lemonade
If you try this punch, please leave a rating or review in the comments—I’d love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Pomegranate Cranberry Punch
A quick, festive punch that’s tart, slightly sweet, and easy to make. Choose an alcoholic or non-alcoholic version. A single batch serves about eight.
- Author: Kate
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings (about 6 cups / 1.4 L)
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) 100% pomegranate juice, chilled
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) cranberry juice cocktail, chilled
- Optional garnishes: pomegranate seeds, lemon or orange slices, rosemary or mint sprigs
For alcoholic punch
- 750 ml champagne or sparkling wine, chilled (one standard bottle)
- ¼ cup (59 ml) orange liqueur
For non-alcoholic punch
- 3 cups (710 ml) flavored sparkling water and/or sparkling cider, chilled
Instructions
Alcoholic version: In a pitcher or punch bowl, combine the pomegranate juice, cranberry juice cocktail, and orange liqueur. Slowly pour in the chilled sparkling wine. Add garnishes and serve immediately over ice.
Non-alcoholic version: In a pitcher or punch bowl, combine the pomegranate juice and cranberry juice cocktail. Slowly add the chilled sparkling cider and/or flavored sparkling water. Garnish and serve over ice.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 6 cups (1.4 L), or eight 6-ounce servings. Double or triple to fill a larger punch bowl.
- For a sweeter, milder punch, use a cranberry juice blend instead of cranberry juice cocktail.
- Garnish amounts: for a pitcher use 1 lemon or orange and about ¼–½ cup pomegranate seeds; for a punch bowl double or triple garnish quantities accordingly.
- Brut sparkling wine balances the tart juices well. If you prefer a sweeter drink, choose a demi-sec or doux sparkling wine.
- For the non-alcoholic version, using all sparkling cider will be sweeter; all sparkling water will be tarter. A 50/50 mix is a balanced option.
Nutrition (estimate)
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: 147
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Protein: 0.26 g