Spiced Holiday Punch Blend (Printable Version)
A warm blend of fruit juices and spices creating a festive, aromatic drink for holiday celebrations.
# What You'll Need:
→ Juices
01 - 34 fl oz cranberry juice
02 - 17 fl oz orange juice
03 - 8.5 fl oz apple juice
→ Spices & Flavorings
04 - 2 cinnamon sticks
05 - 5 whole cloves
06 - 3 star anise pods
07 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
08 - Zest of 1 orange
09 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Garnish
11 - 1 orange, sliced
12 - 1 apple, sliced
13 - Fresh cranberries (optional)
# Step-by-Step:
01 - In a large pot, pour in cranberry juice, orange juice, and apple juice. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, sliced ginger, and orange zest.
02 - Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
03 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to meld flavors.
04 - Remove from heat. Stir in honey or maple syrup if using, along with vanilla extract.
05 - Strain the liquid to remove spices and ginger slices.
06 - Pour into a heatproof punch bowl. Add orange slices, apple slices, and fresh cranberries for garnish.
07 - Serve warm in mugs or heatproof glasses.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It fills your home with a scent so good people ask what's cooking before they even arrive.
- Takes barely 25 minutes from start to serving, which means you can focus on guests instead of the stove.
- Naturally vegan and dairy-free, so it works for everyone at the table without feeling like a compromise.
02 -
- Don't skip straining—whole spices look lovely but get caught in teeth, which ruins the moment.
- Vanilla extract is non-negotiable; it somehow makes fruit punch taste like it's been made with intention.
03 -
- Add the vanilla and sweetener after simmering so their delicate flavors don't cook away into steam.
- Whole spices can be reused for another batch if you store them in a dry place, which makes this punch even more economical than it seems.