35 Holiday Punch Bowl Cocktails to Make This Party Season
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.
50 Christmas Candy Recipes Guaranteed to Spread Holiday Cheer
1. Cranberry-Mint Holiday Punch
Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour 40 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
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
How Sweet Eats
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes
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, Grand Marnier and rum bring the party.
3. Sparkling Pomegranate Punch
Half-Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes
Candied rosemary garnishes, FTW. The cocktail's gorgeous presentation will definitely get you bonus points.
4. Raspberry-Lime Champagne Punch
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly
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
What's Gaby Cooking
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy
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
Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 3 hours, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe
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
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes
Presenting dessert in a glass. Double the recipe for a crowd and serve it straight from the pot.
8. Honeycrisp and Bourbon Spiced Cider
Spoon Fork Bacon
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients
Cinnamon, cardamom and ginger—oh my! We'll take three.
9. Mulled White Wine
Gimme Some Oven
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly
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
Dinner at the Zoo
Time Commitment: 6 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes
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
PHOTO: JON COSPITO/STYLING: Heath Goldman
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd pleaser
The addition of Lillet Blanc makes these pretty-in-pink sippers sweet and floral. And the citrus really lightens it up.
12. Classic Eggnog
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy
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
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser
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.
14. Apple Cider Sangria
How Sweet Eats
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients
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.
15. Spiced Cranberry Punch
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly
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
Salt and Wind
Time Commitment: 8 hours, 10 minutes
Why We Love It: gluten-free, vegan
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 Kahlúa would both taste divine.
17. Pumpkin Patch Punch
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes
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.
18. Cranberry Thyme Spritz
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes
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
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly
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
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser
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
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes
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.
22. Hot Buttered Bourbon
How Sweet Eats
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy
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
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 4 hours, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe
Aka the cashmere sweater of cocktails. This one calls for amber rum and brandy instead of traditional bourbon.
24. Champagne Punch
Foodie Crush
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients
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
Cookie and Kate
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, gluten-free
Start with store-bought cider or try making your own. You can even just boil apple juice and spruce it up with seasonal spices.
26. Spiced Bourbon Punch
The Modern Proper
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, gluten free
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
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: ready min <15 minutes, crowd pleaser
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
The Modern Proper
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly
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
Well Plated by Erin
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser
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
How Sweet Eats
Time Commitment: 2 hours, 5 minutes
Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe
Spike it with Kahlúa, 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
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly
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.
32. Adult Hot Chocolate
The Modern Proper
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, Frangelico and Irish cream, grown-ups will swoon.
33. Citrus Whiskey Tea Punch
Vintage Kitty
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy
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
Feasting at Home
Time Commitment: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly
This holiday punch bowl is both flavorful and effervescent, making it the ideal drink to accompany quiche, pancakes, and everything in between.
35. Cherry Pie Iced Tea
A Cookie Named Desire
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.
