Candy cane Christmas punch is a bright red, sparkling party drink that looks like it came straight from the North Pole. Cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and a splash of cherry juice are mixed with ginger ale, then finished with a tiny bit of peppermint and mini candy canes on every glass.
It is fruity first, with a cool minty finish, and it is completely kid-friendly. Five minutes is all you need.
For a creamy punch, try Santa’s peppermint snowflake punch, or see my non-alcoholic Christmas sangria and drunken Rudolph drink.
JUMP TO
- Why You’ll Love This Candy Cane Christmas Punch
- What Is Candy Cane Christmas Punch?
- Ingredients
- Kitchen Equipment
- Ingredient Tips
- How to Make Candy Cane Christmas Punch
- Expert Tips for Perfect Candy Cane Christmas Punch
- Delicious Variations
- What to Serve with Candy Cane Christmas Punch
- Storage Instructions
- Can You Make It Ahead?
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Estimated Nutrition
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Why You’ll Love This Candy Cane Christmas Punch
Great punch should be easy, pretty, and loved by every age.
5 Minutes
Just pour and stir.
Bright Red
Perfect for a Christmas table.
Kid-Friendly
No alcohol unless you add it.
Fun Garnish
Mini candy canes double as stirrers.
What Is Candy Cane Christmas Punch?
This is a sparkling fruit punch flavored like a candy cane. The fruit juices bring sweetness and color, the ginger ale brings fizz, and peppermint brings the candy cane finish.
A little peppermint goes a long way, so it tastes festive without being minty like toothpaste.
Ingredients
Punch
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Cold cranberry juice cocktail | 4 cups | Red color and tartness |
| Cold pineapple juice | 2 cups | Sweetness |
| Tart cherry juice | 1 cup | Deep red flavor |
| Peppermint extract | ¼ teaspoon | Candy cane flavor |
| Cold ginger ale | 2 liters | Fizz |
| Ice or a frozen cranberry ice ring | 2 cups | Keeps it cold |
Garnish
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh cranberries | 1 cup | Floating fruit |
| Mini candy canes | 14 | Hooked on glasses |
| Lime, sliced | 1 | Color and freshness |
Kitchen Equipment
- Large punch bowl or 2 pitchers
- Measuring cups
- Long spoon
- Glasses
Ingredient Tips
Cherry Juice
Tart cherry juice deepens the red color. Maraschino syrup also works but is sweeter.
Peppermint
Use pure peppermint extract, not mint extract, which tastes like spearmint.
Ice Ring
Freeze cranberry juice and cranberries in a bundt pan so the punch does not water down.
How to Make Candy Cane Christmas Punch
Step 1: Mix the Juices
Stir the cranberry, pineapple, and cherry juices with the peppermint extract in a punch bowl.
Step 2: Add Fizz
Pour in the ginger ale slowly and stir gently.
Step 3: Add Ice and Fruit
Add the ice ring or ice, cranberries, and lime slices.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Ladle into glasses and hook a mini candy cane on each rim.
Expert Tips for Perfect Candy Cane Christmas Punch
Chill Everything
Start with cold juice and soda.
Measure the Peppermint
Too much will overpower the fruit.
Add Soda Late
Keep it fizzy by adding the ginger ale just before serving.
Delicious Variations
Adult Version
Add 1½ cups vodka or white rum.
Sparkling Wine
Replace half the ginger ale with prosecco.
Lower Sugar
Use diet ginger ale and light cranberry juice.
Sherbet Float
Add scoops of raspberry sherbet.
What to Serve with Candy Cane Christmas Punch
Serve with Christmas pinwheels, pigs in a blanket, and plenty of Christmas cookies.
Storage Instructions
| Storage Method | How Long | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (juice base) | 3 days | Covered pitcher |
| Refrigerator (with soda) | 1 day | Loses fizz |
| Freezer | Not recommended | Use as ice cubes instead |
Store leftovers covered. Freeze leftover punch in ice cube trays for the next batch.
Can You Make It Ahead?
Mix the juices and peppermint up to 3 days ahead.
Make the ice ring the night before and add soda at party time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mint Extract
It tastes like spearmint gum, not candy canes.
Warm Ginger Ale
It goes flat quickly.
Plain Ice
It waters down the punch; use an ice ring.
Estimated Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 28g |
| Sodium | 20mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
Estimate for 1 cup of punch without candy canes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is candy cane punch made of?
Cranberry, pineapple, and cherry juice, ginger ale, and a little peppermint extract, garnished with mini candy canes.
Is candy cane Christmas punch alcoholic?
No, it is kid-friendly. Add vodka or white rum for an adult version.
Can I make Christmas punch ahead?
Mix the juice base up to 3 days ahead and add soda just before serving.
How do I keep punch from getting watered down?
Use a frozen ice ring made with cranberry juice instead of regular ice.
Can I use Sprite instead of ginger ale?
Yes. Sprite or 7UP make it a little sweeter and more citrusy.
Conclusion
Candy cane Christmas punch is fizzy, fruity, and festive in only five minutes.
Make a big bowl for your holiday party and let everyone grab a candy cane.
PrintCandy Cane Christmas Punch: Easy Red Holiday Party Drink
A bright red sparkling Christmas punch with cranberry juice, pineapple, a hint of cherry and peppermint, ginger ale, and mini candy canes on every glass.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Punch:
4 cups cold cranberry juice cocktail
2 cups cold pineapple juice
1 cup tart cherry juice
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
2 liters cold ginger ale
2 cups ice or a frozen cranberry ice ring
Garnish:
1 cup fresh cranberries
14 mini candy canes
1 lime, sliced
Instructions
Stir the cranberry, pineapple, and cherry juices with the peppermint extract in a punch bowl.
Pour in the ginger ale slowly and stir gently.
Add the ice ring or ice, cranberries, and lime slices.
Ladle into glasses and hook a mini candy cane on each rim.
Notes
Use pure peppermint extract.
Add ginger ale right before serving.
Spike adult glasses individually if serving kids too.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
