I’m so excited to share my go-to 5-Ingredient Christmas Punch recipe with you!
It’s been the star of holiday gatherings for years, and guests always ask for the recipe.
The gorgeous ruby color and creamy ice cream scoops floating on top create a festive showstopper that tastes even better than it looks.
This punch is super simple to make but will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen.
Want to know the secret for making this punch absolutely unforgettable?
Ingredients
Recommended Tools
Creating a festive Christmas punch is easier when you have the right tools on hand. With just a few kitchen essentials, you can mix up this delicious holiday punch that will impress your guests and make serving a breeze.
- Large Punch Bowl:
Essential for combining all ingredients and creating an impressive centerpiece for your holiday gathering.
- Ladle:
Makes serving individual cups of punch simple and splash-free for your guests.
- Measuring Cups:
Helps you accurately measure the sugar, water and ice cream for perfect flavor balance.
- Small Saucepan:
Perfect for making the simple syrup by boiling water and sugar until dissolved.
- Ice Cream Scoop:
Creates perfectly rounded scoops of vanilla ice cream to float beautifully in your punch.
- Long-Handled Spoon:
Ideal for gently stirring the punch after adding ice cream to create that frothy texture.
Instructions for 5-INGREDIENT CHRISTMAS PUNCH
Let’s whip up this festive Christmas punch that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!
Start by making your simple syrup. In a small pot, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar, then bring to a boil. Keep stirring until all that sugar dissolves completely—this usually takes just a few minutes.
Once it’s ready, set it aside to cool completely. No one wants a warm punch, right?
Next, grab your largest punch bowl (seriously, you’ll need the space!) and pour in 32 oz of chilled pomegranate juice and 32 oz of cold cranberry juice. The beautiful deep red color is already looking like Christmas in a bowl!
Add your cooled simple syrup to the juice mixture, then gently pour in 2 liters of cold Sprite. Watch that fizz bubble up!
Give everything a gentle stir—no need to go crazy here or you’ll lose all those magical bubbles.
Now for the fun part! Just before you’re ready to serve, add 5 scoops of vanilla ice cream right on top. As they start to melt, they’ll create the most delicious frothy layer that makes this punch extra special.
Give it one more gentle stir to create that creamy, frothy texture everyone will love.
Serve immediately after adding the ice cream for the best effect! Your guests will be amazed at how something so simple can taste so incredible!
Pro Tips
Pre-freeze small scoops of vanilla ice cream on a baking sheet for 30 minutes before the party, then quickly drop them into the punch bowl when guests arrive for perfectly sized, firm scoops that melt slowly and create that signature frothy texture without diluting the punch too quickly.
Substitutions & Variations
This festive punch recipe is incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit different tastes preferences and dietary needs.
- Non-Alcoholic to Spiked: Add 2 cups of vodka, rum or champagne to transform this family-friendly punch into an adults-only holiday treat.
- Dairy-Free Option: Replace vanilla ice cream with coconut cream or dairy-free vanilla ice cream and use clear lemon-lime soda for a lighter finish.
- Sugar-Free Version: Substitute the simple syrup with a sugar-free alternative like stevia simple syrup and use diet soda to reduce calories without sacrificing flavor.
- Frozen Fruit Alternative: Replace ice cream with frozen berries such as raspberries strawberries and cranberries for a fruity twist that keeps the punch cold without diluting.
- Sparkling Water Substitute: Use sparkling water instead of Sprite for a less sweet version with all the fizz but fewer calories.
- Herb Infusion: Add sprigs of fresh rosemary or mint to the punch bowl for an aromatic dimension that enhances the festive presentation.
Leftovers & Storage Tips
While this Christmas punch is at its most magical when freshly made, you’ll often find yourself with leftovers after a holiday gathering.
I recommend separating the juice mixture from any remaining ice cream before storing. Pour the liquid into airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just add fresh ice cream and a splash of Sprite!
Festive Holiday Gathering
5-Ingredient Christmas Punch
A festive holiday punch with pomegranate and cranberry juices topped with vanilla ice cream for a frothy finish.
- 32 oz pomegranate juice (chilled)
- 32 oz cranberry juice (chilled)
- 2 liters Sprite (chilled)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 5 scoops vanilla ice cream
Make simple syrup by boiling water and sugar until dissolved, then cool.
Combine pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, Sprite, and simple syrup in a large punch bowl.
Add vanilla ice cream scoops just before serving and stir gently for frothy texture.
