Spiced Cranberry-Apple Holiday Punch

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A warm and inviting punch combining tart cranberry and sweet apple juices with cozy mulling spices for festive occasions. This general-inspired holiday ready in about 20 minutes brings together cranberry juice, apple cider, orange juice for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 8, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 8 110 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 4 cups cranberry juice, 4 cups apple cider, and 1 cup orange juice over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Add 8 whole cloves, 3 cinnamon sticks, 2 star anise, and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves and spices release their aroma, about 10 minutes — do not boil.
  3. Step 3: Strain out the spices and pour the spiced punch into a heatproof punch bowl.
  4. Step 4: Float 1/2 cup orange slices and 1/2 cup apple slices on top for garnish and extra flavor. Serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Cranberry-Apple Holiday Punch take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Spiced Cranberry-Apple Holiday Punch?

Refrigerate any leftover spiced cranberry-apple holiday punch in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Cranberry-Apple Holiday Punch?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spiced Cranberry-Apple Holiday Punch for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spiced Cranberry-Apple Holiday Punch?

General holiday like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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