Warm Christmas Punch with Rum
This sensational Christmas Punch is the perfect drink for any holiday party. Served warm and made in a pinch, this delicious and oh-so-pretty drink will become a yearly favorite!
A classic Christmas Punch is exactly what you need to add some sparkle to your holidays. It is infused with a myriad of delicious flavors such as fresh fruit juices, cinnamon, anise, and, of course, rum!
And yet, it is easy, fast, and cheap to make. This gorgeous punch is where convenience meets class!
If you’ve ever watched a movie where someone is having a fancy holiday party and you think to yourself, I wonder what is in those fancy drinks, then this recipe is for you.
Enjoy this Christmas punch during a special holiday brunch, or while you’re hosting a Thanksgiving meal. Sip on a glass on Christmas eve while you’re wrapping gifts or snuggle up in front of a fire with a loved one and cheers to keeping warm!
Try pairing it with a Christmas brunch board, Christmas pancakes, candy cane pancakes, or eggnog pancakes.
About this Christmas Punch recipe
This is one of those drinks we would possibly call dangerous because it is just that good. Of course, you can make it non-alcoholic for the kids, but for the grown-ups, be forewarned it can sneak up on you!
The classic blended flavors of the freshly squeezed orange juice in addition to tart cranberry juice, sugar, and rum are already a winning combination. Add in the cinnamon and anise infusion and you’ve just elevated this drink to another level.
By adding star anise, which is a spice that has an aroma reminiscent of licorice, and cinnamon sticks to the pot, you are infusing the drink with its distinct flavors.
Being able to pull them out at any time allows for control on how much of it you want to add in there. The idea is to get a hint of those aromatic flavors but not to overpower anything.
The white rum has a lighter flavor than dark rum and it also allows you to keep that beautiful pop of color as bright as you can!
You’ll want to make a lot of this because wherever this punch is, a crowd is sure to follow!
If you’re looking for more festive drinks, try a poinsettia cocktail, a bloody mary bar, gingerbread hot cocoa, or a mimosa, or a caramel iced coffee.
What’s in a great holiday punch?
- Orange juice, freshly squeezed
- Cranberry juice
- White rum
- Granulated sugar
- Star anise
- Cinnamon stick
- Oranges, sliced for garnish
How to make this warm punch
Pour juices in with the sugar, cinnamon stick, and star anise in a medium saucepan.
Bring to simmer then decrease heat. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat, pour in rum, and stir with a spoon.
Serve warm garnished with orange slices. For added presentation serve with cinnamon stick and star anise in the glass!
How to make this Christmas punch your own
- Swap out the white rum for brandy or dark rum.
- Omit the rum and use Tito’s vodka. Or make it with raspberry vodka for extra flavor.
- Substitute the cranberry juice for pomegranate juice and add the seeds in as a garnish.
- Use sparkling wine instead of rum or vodka and make it a fizzy drink.
- Let it sit and cool completely to serve this drink cold.
- You can add fresh vanilla or lemon zest to the recipe.
- Instead of using freshly squeezed juices, use apple cider to enjoy a traditional Wassail drink.
- Don’t skimp on the presentation. A beautiful punch bowl or glass canister can go a long way!
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating Tips
This drink can be made up to 1 week ahead of time. Store for up to 7 days in the refrigerator and reheat gently over low heat in a saucepan.
Get the Recipe: Warm Christmas Punch
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed (about 10 medium oranges)
- 1 cup (250 ml) cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) white rum
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 oranges sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Pour orange, pomegranate juice with sugar, cinnamon stick and star anise in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to simmer for about 2 minutes then decrease to low medium-low heat. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, pour in rum, and stir with a spoon.
- Serve warm garnished with orange slices.
Notes
- You can add fresh vanilla or lemon zest to the recipe. Swap the rum for brandy or dark rum. Store for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Reheat gently over low heat in a saucepan. Do not boil.
- IMPORTANT NOTE about cranberry juice! If you use a very red cranberry juice, your final product will have a more brown appearance. We recommend a white cranberry juice OR a organic cranberry juice that is lighter in color.