The holiday season is upon us and with it celebrations galore. In addition to food and festivities, seasonal punch recipes that are convivial and delicious are a must-have at every gathering. Made of high-quality spirits, fruits, and spices, these large batch recipes can be easily scaled to serve any party size and great for the host too. They’re a low maintenance beverage option that’s manageable and allows the host to stay social.
Beyond the obvious punch bowl or pitcher, using quality ice and freshly sliced fruit will make a big impact. Using good ice will have make a tremendous difference in preserving the overall flavor and create a more attractive punch bowl. Average ice cubes melt quickly and dilute the mixture, instead opt for a storage container or mixing bowl to create a large piece of ice.
Keep these elements in mind when you’re planning to organize a holiday party in the upcoming weeks. Any one of these festive punch recipes will delight and impress every guest in your home.
1. Mulled Spiked Cider
Mulled spiked cider, a beloved drink in British culture, is a must-have during the autumn and winter seasons. This delightful concoction is reminiscent of Wassail, featuring a blend of apple cider, dark rum, orange, cinnamon, and cloves. Its enchanting combination of flavors guarantees a comforting and warming experience for anyone who indulges.
2. Daniel Webster’s Punch
Named after the mid-1800s senator of Massachusetts, this recipe is available in different variations. Our version is a nod to the original found in the 1869 Steward & Barkeep’s Manual and contains a potent combination of cognac, sherry, rum, red wine, and champagne. Meant to serve 10, this recipe will take about an hour and a half to complete.
3. Champagne Punch
Nothing says celebration more than Champagne. This crowd-pleasing punch combines its Cognac base with fresh fruits, maraschino liqueur, Bénédictine, and topped off with Champagne, creating a perfect punch for celebrating the holidays. This recipe, which can serve up to 40, was developed by NYC Rainbow Room’s Dale DeGroff and is a decadent punch worth serving at your next holiday gathering.
4. Yellowbelly Wine Punch
Inspired by the Aperol Spritz, the Yellowbelly Wine Punch mixes Aperol and Champagne with zesty lemon juice, tart grapefruit juice, and gin to create a truly tasty drink experience. Developed by Tim Wiggins of Yellowbelly in St. Louis, this recipe can put 15 people in a festive holiday mood.
5. Mulled Wine
A classic drink traditionally consumed during the holiday season, mulled wine is a warm libation of spiced red wine. Enhanced with oranges and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, this mulled wine recipe is sure to be a new favorite among the guests you serve.
6. Philadelphia Fish House Punch
Ideal for any time of year, the Philadelphia Fish House Punch is a potent mixture of rum, Cognac, and peach brandy with sugar, lemons, and black tea. This recipe dates back to colonial times when the founders of the pre-revolution social club, the Schuylkill Fishing Company of Pennsylvania, also known as the “Fish House,” developed it.
7. Queen Charlotte Punch
Made with red wine, lemon juice, orange juice, grenadine, and soda water, the Queen Charlotte Punch is a simple and low proof recipe that was created by Thad Volger of San Francisco’s Bar Agricole. Serving up to nine people during your next holiday party, this is a crowd-pleasing punch recipe that everyone will love.
8. Hot Buttered Rum
A classic holiday drink, Hot Buttered Rum is a rich combination of rum, butter, cider, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Created in 1650s colonial times when Jamaica first imported rum to America, this seasonal recipe remains popular today.
9. Poor Richard
Combining hard cider, sweet vermouth, cranberry cordial, lemon juice, and grated nutmeg, this Poor Richard recipe can serve up to seven people. Developed by Paul Calvert and Greg Best of Atlanta’s Ticonderoga Club, it’s a festive cocktail that is simple to make and easy to scale to your party size.
10. Wassail
