Spiced Cranberry-Orange Punch

Photo: Steve Klise, Courtesy of America’s Test Kitchen

November 07, 2025

The ultimate spirit-free holiday party punch.

For a festive spirit-free option to present at holiday parties, stir up this spiced cranberry-orange punch from Cocktails Illustrated by America’s Test Kitchen. Spicy ginger, warm baking spices, the herbaceousness of rosemary, and sparkling seltzer elevate this mix of cranberry and orange juices.

Ingredients

Yield:16 servings

7 oz. water
1 cup sugar
1 (3-inch) piece ginger, sliced
1 sprig fresh rosemary, plus rosemary sprigs for garnishing
1 cinnamon stick, halved
2 whole star anise
12 oz. (3 cups) fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
2 liters (68 oz.) seltzer, chilled
12 oz. 100 percent cranberry juice, chilled
12 oz. orange juice, chilled, plus orange slices for garnishing

Tools:large saucepan
Glass:punchbowl
Garnish:rosemary sprigs and orange slices

Preparation

Heat the water, sugar, ginger, rosemary sprig, cinnamon stick, and star anise in large saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes; do not boil. Stir in cranberries and cook, stirring often, until cranberries just begin to pop open, about 3 minutes. Off heat, let cranberry mixture cool completely, about 30 minutes. Transfer to bowl or storage container, cover, and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 1 hour or up to 4 days.

Combine the cranberry mixture, seltzer, cranberry juice, and orange juice in large punch bowl. Add an ice ring and garnish with rosemary sprigs and orange slices. Serve in chilled punch cups.
NOTEAn ice ring does the best job of keeping the punch chilled for several hours without overdiluting. If necessary, 8 large ice cubes can be used instead.