Truth: You shake a mean cocktail, but come holiday party season, the hostess with the mostest shouldn’t stand in a corner preparing individual drinks for each and every one of her guests. Here's the ultimate solution: 35 punch bowl cocktails that make serving everyone (including yourself) a breeze. Our favorites? We couldn’t possibly choose, but the white Christmas margarita punch and the pumpkin patch punch have become a regular part of our annual festivities (and you can never go wrong with big-batch negronis). Now that’s how you spread good cheer.
35 Holiday Punch Bowl Cocktails to Make This Party Season
Published Oct 10, 2023
1. Cranberry-Mint Holiday Punch
- Time Commitment: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, no cook
A cocktail that serves itself is the gift that keeps on giving. Made with fresh mint, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, vodka and sparkling wine, this festive libation is sure to keep guests happy.
2. White Christmas Margarita Punch
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, no cook
We love it when our drinks are pretty enough to double as decoration. Coconut milk and coconut cream bring the snowy-white shade, while tequila, orange-flavor liqueur and rum bring the party.
3. Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, ready in <15 minutes, beginner-friendly
Candied rosemary garnishes, FTW. The cocktail's gorgeous presentation will definitely get you bonus points.
4. Raspberry-Lime Champagne Punch
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, no cook
This, a few friends and an epic playlist are all you need for a great New Year's Eve. We'll bring the noisemakers.
5. Spiced Wine
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
Red wine + apple cider = a match made in wintry heaven. And it'll leave your house smelling absolutely divine.
6. Slow-Cooker Spiked Cinnamon Lattes
- Time Commitment: 3 hours, 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
Just leave the Crock-Pot on warm with a ladle for easy serving. With help from the slow cooker, this one truly makes itself.
7. Hot Buttered Rum
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
Presenting dessert in a glass. Double the recipe for a crowd and serve it straight from the pot.
8. Honeycrisp and Bourbon Spiced Cider
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Cinnamon, cardamom and ginger—oh my! We'll take three.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
Starring your favorite blanc and a generous glug of brandy. Just keep in mind that this sweet sip is more alcoholic than it tastes, so take it nice and slow
10. Christmas Punch
- Time Commitment: 6 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Keep it virgin for the kids' table and spike a second batch with rum, vodka or Champagne. And for the adults, keep a light hand with that Ocean Spray.
11. Big-Batch Pink Negronis
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, ready in <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
The addition of Lillet Blanc makes these pretty-in-pink sippers sweet and floral. And the citrus really lightens it up.
12. Classic Eggnog
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Sure, you can add liquor to store-bought nog and call it a night. Or you can wow your guests with the real thing. Adding spiced rum is optional (kind of).
13. Holiday Cheermeister Cocktail
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, ready in <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Soul-warming bourbon meets tart pomegranate juice and bubbly Prosecco. Go the extra mile by freezing cranberries, blood orange and rosemary sprigs in the ice cubes.
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, ready in <15 minutes, beginner-friendly
In case you didn't get your fill of apple season by Thanksgiving, this is the perfect holiday cocktail. Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top for a little extra zing.
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, ready in <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy
Three words: Chai. Sugar. Rim. If you need more convincing, this drink can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until cocktail hour.
16. Classic Horchata
- Time Commitment: 8 hours, 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: gluten-free, vegan, beginner-friendly
This Mexican staple is as easy as soaking rice in water overnight and blending until smooth. Then, it's time to pick your poison: Rum or coffee liqueur would both taste divine.
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Pumpkin butter is the secret to this holiday punch bowl’s magic. Find some at the supermarket or make your own! We promise it's an easy task.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, no cook, <10 ingredients
The fresh grapefruit and lime juices will show you what citrus season is all about. And the thyme perfectly complements it all.
19. Mulled Wine Sangria
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, slow cooker recipe (optional)
Double the seven-ingredient recipe in your slow cooker instead of on the stove so it stays hot throughout the whole party. You'll thank us later.
20. Cranberry Bourbon Sour Punch
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, ready in <30 minutes, no cook
Wet a few rosemary springs, roll them in sugar and let them dry for the ultimate pièce de résistance. Just make sure to add ice.
21. Sparkling Christmas Party Punch
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd pleaser, beginner-friendly
Thanks to bubbly ginger beer, we're bookmarking this pick for New Year's Eve, too. There's nothing we'd rather sip when the ball drops.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
The buttered batter is made with brown sugar, maple syrup and warm winter spices. Excuse us while we drool.
23. Slow Cooker Cranberry Hot Toddy
- Time Commitment: 4 hours, 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Aka the cashmere sweater of cocktails. This one calls for amber rum and brandy instead of traditional bourbon.
24. Champagne Punch
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, ready in <30 minutes
We may or may not be planning on adding a few scoops of fruit sherbet to the punch bowl. And a little drink umbrella would really add some pizazz.
25. Homemade Wassail
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, gluten-free, no cook
Start with store-bought cider or try making your own. You can even just boil apple juice and spruce it up with seasonal spices.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, gluten free, ready in <30 minutes
Whole bottles of bourbon and sparkling wine? That's one way to land yourself on the naughty list. (But TBH, it's worth it.)
27. Rudolph's Rockin' Pomegranate Jingle Juice Punch
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, crowd pleaser, vegan
You can never have too many five-ingredient party cocktails up your sleeve. Add some pomegranate seeds, and it looks like a five-star drink.
28. Holiday Sangria
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, ready in <15 minutes
Just dump all the ingredients in a pitcher, stir to combine and refrigerate overnight. Then... voila! It's a (low-effort) Christmas miracle.
29. Christmas Punch
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegan
This recipe works with Champagne, Prosecco or Cava—whatever you have on hand. Let's just say...this punch bowl is your oyster.
30. Slow Cooker Coconut Hot Chocolate
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
Spike it with coffee liqueur, coconut rum or even white chocolate liqueur for the ultimate grown-up treat. You can also garnish with a candy cane, which would add a pop of color (and a tasty hint of peppermint!).
31. Rum-Less Rum Punch
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, ready in <15 minutes
That's right—this is a kid-friendly option because it's a mocktail! Serve to any and all non-drinking guests... just give everyone the option of adding rum, if it suits their fancy.
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd pleaser, ready in <15 minutes, <10 ingredients
Sorry kids, this drink is for party guests of 21 years old and up. Made with bourbon, hazelnut-flavored liqueur and Irish cream, grown-ups will swoon.
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, vegan
This classy number is a total crowd-pleaser, ensuring that your guests are properly served. That way, you won't worry about having to whip up individual cocktails, which always makes hosting ten times harder.
34. Blueberry, Gin and Sage Punch
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, vegan
This holiday punch bowl is both flavorful and effervescent, making it the ideal drink to accompany quiche, pancakes, and everything in between.
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly
Another alcohol-free recipe that can be spiked, if you want it to be. Whether you add booze or not, that red color makes it ho-ho-holiday ready.
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