The first time I made this Midnight Frost Christmas Punch, it was a happy accident born from a near-crisis. My annual holiday gathering was an hour away, and the drink I’d planned had fallen flat—literally. Frantically, I started combining winter juices I had on hand. As the cranberry, pomegranate, and orange swirled together in my biggest pitcher, a beautiful, deep ruby red emerged. The scent was incredible—tangy, sweet, and vibrantly festive, filling my kitchen with the essence of the season. I gave it a taste, and I knew instantly: this was it. This punch, with its perfect balance of tart and sweet, became the star of the night, and it’s been the heart of my Christmas celebrations ever since.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberry juice (not cocktail)
- 2 cups 100% pomegranate juice
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 3-4 large oranges)
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)
- 1/3 cup real maple syrup or agave nectar (adjust to taste)
- 3 cups chilled ginger ale or sparkling water
- For the “Frost”: Fresh cranberries, orange slices, pomegranate arils, and fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
- Optional: 1-2 cups of white rum, vodka, or bourbon for a spirited version
Let’s talk ingredients, because choices here truly matter. I learned the hard way that using cranberry juice cocktail results in a cloyingly sweet punch. Trust me, seek out 100% cranberry juice—its bracing tartness is the backbone of this drink. For the orange juice, please don’t use the bottled stuff. The five minutes it takes to squeeze it fresh makes a massive difference in brightness. The maple syrup is my secret weapon; it adds a warm, nuanced sweetness that plain sugar can’t match. And that optional alcohol? I always make one pitcher with and one without. The bourbon version, with its smoky notes, is always the first to go among my friends.(See the next page below to continue…)