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A bright, fizzy holiday punch that balances tart cranberry and pineapple with citrus, raspberry liqueur, and a splash of vodka — perfect for festive brunches.
This Christmas Morning Punch has been my holiday brunch signature for years. I first mixed these flavors one sleepy December when the oven was full of cinnamon rolls and we needed one more thing to serve a crowd. The combination of cranberry-pineapple and orange juice gives a lively tart-sweet backbone, while lemon-lime soda adds sparkle and the grenadine deepens color and sweetness. With a modest pour of vodka and raspberry liqueur, the punch feels celebratory without overpowering the fruit-forward profile — it's the kind of drink people reach for before the second plate of pancakes.
What makes this drink special is its immediacy: it comes together in minutes, looks gorgeous in a clear pitcher, and tastes like a holiday memory you can sip. On one December morning, my in-laws arrived shivering from the snow and within moments the kitchen smelled of citrus; by the time gifts were exchanged, everyone had a glass and the day felt underway. The texture is light and effervescent, the tartness from the cranberry-pineapple keeps it from feeling cloying, and the grenadine gives that signature rosy hue that makes it festive and photogenic.
In my experience this punch draws in guests like a warm invitation. Family members comment on the color and return repeatedly for refills; it pairs beautifully with both sweet and savory breakfast items. Once, a guest took a photo and labeled it our "breakfast cocktail of the year," and that kind of easy praise has made this a permanent addition to my holiday repertoire.
My favorite aspect of this punch is how forgiving it is: I’ve adjusted the balance mid-service by adding more soda for fizz or a splash more grenadine for sweetness. One year I made a double batch and refrigerated it overnight (without soda); the next morning the flavors felt more rounded, and adding soda at the last moment gave it a sparkling finish. Guests appreciated the consistency and the fact that it complemented both sweet pastries and savory egg dishes.
Store any unused punch in a covered pitcher or container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours; because of the soda and ice, the best practice is to prepare the non-carbonated portion (juices, vodka, liqueur, grenadine) in advance and refrigerate. When ready to serve, pour into the serving vessel, add soda and ice, then garnish. For longer storage, do not add soda or ice — keep the mixture cold and sealed for up to 48 hours, checking aroma and flavor before serving. Use clear glass containers to preserve the lovely color and avoid metal lids that can impart flavors.
If you don’t have cranberry-pineapple blend, combine 1 cup cranberry juice with 1 cup pineapple juice as a straight swap. Swap raspberry liqueur for Chambord or a berry syrup for a nonalcoholic option; reduce grenadine if using a sweet liqueur. For a lighter cocktail, replace half the vodka with sparkling water or reduce vodka to 2 fl oz per pitcher. For a different fruit profile, try a mango-pineapple blend in place of cranberry-pineapple, keeping in mind that mango will increase sweetness and body.
Serve in clear glassware to highlight the rosy color and float thin orange wheels or pomegranate seeds on top for texture. This beverage pairs beautifully with French toast, cinnamon rolls, quiche, and smoked salmon platters. For a brunch buffet add a small sign describing the punch and an optional ladle station with extra soda and garnishes so guests can customize their glass. Use decorative ice ring molds with citrus slices frozen inside for an elegant touch on holiday mornings.
Punch has a long history as a communal beverage that traces back to 17th-century voyages between Europe and Asia, where sailors blended spirits with citrus and spices to preserve flavor. Holiday punches evolved into fruit-forward, festive drinks served at celebrations in many Western cultures. This particular combination nods to American brunch traditions — bright citrus and sparkling sodas became staples in 20th-century cocktail culture, while the addition of grenadine lends a classic cocktail bar color and sweetness that evokes retro holiday gatherings.
In winter, add a few cinnamon sticks to the pitcher for a warm spice note or float star anise for visual interest. For summer brunches swap grenadine for a splash of elderflower cordial and use chilled prosecco instead of soda for a lighter, bubbly variation. During Thanksgiving or Christmas, add a handful of fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs as garnish to echo seasonal flavors — just be mindful to remove strong herbs before guests with delicate palates sip.
To simplify morning service, prepare the juice-liqueur-grenadine mixture the night before and refrigerate. Set out a station of chilled glasses, ice, soda in a chilled pitcher, and a bowl of orange slices. Assign a helper to add soda and ladle punch during peak serving to keep the main pitcher looking pristine. If transporting to a potluck, keep the alcohol and soda in separate sealed containers and combine on site to preserve carbonation and presentation.
Whether you keep it as a boozy brunch staple or offer a virgin version for kids and non-drinkers, this Christmas Morning Punch is designed to spread cheer without fuss. Make it your own by adjusting sweetness and alcohol, and enjoy the way a simple pitcher can bring people together.
Prepare the non-carbonated portion up to 24 hours ahead and add soda and ice only when serving to retain effervescence.
If juices taste overly sweet, balance them with a squeeze of fresh lemon or reduce grenadine by half and adjust to taste.
Use chilled glasses to keep the drink cool without over-diluting with ice.
This nourishing christmas morning punch recipe is sure to be a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy every moist, high protein slice — it is perfect for breakfast or as a wholesome snack any time.
To keep fizz, do not add the lemon-lime soda until just before serving. Prepare the rest of the mixture in advance and refrigerate.
Yes — omit vodka and raspberry liqueur and substitute extra soda and a splash of berry syrup to maintain flavor without alcohol.
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This recipe looks amazing! Can't wait to try it.
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