Cranberry Prawn Punch Cocktail Recipe

Sometimes I’m just in the mood for a drink that’s a little out of the ordinary. Mixing flavors that catch me off guard is half the fun, honestly.

A cranberry prawn punch cocktail? That’s the kind of combo that makes people stop and ask, “Wait, what?” The tart cranberry, a touch of savory from the prawn—it’s weirdly good.

Here’s how I throw together a cocktail that hits sweet, tangy, and savory all in one glass.

You won’t need any fancy bar gadgets for this. Seriously, it’s simple.

I’ll lay out the ingredients and steps so you can whip it up at home without fuss.

Cranberry Prawn Punch Cocktail Recipe

What I love about this drink is how it brings together fruity juices, a splash of vodka, and that unexpected seafood garnish. It’s refreshing from the cranberry, citrus, and pineapple, and then the prawn just surprises everyone (in a good way, I promise).

Equipment

• Large punch bowl or a wide glass pitcher
• Long mixing spoon
• Small serving glasses
• Ice cube tray
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small skewers or cocktail picks for prawns
• Strainer (if you want to get rid of pulp or seeds)
• Citrus juicer for fresh lemon or orange juice
• Ladle for serving

Honestly, if you use a clear punch bowl, it just looks better—especially with the cranberries floating around. The skewers? They keep the prawns tidy and make serving way less awkward.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cranberry juice
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup lemon juice (fresh if you can swing it)
• 1 1/2 cups vodka
• 1 cup club soda
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (just go by taste)
• 1 cup fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries
• Cooked prawns (peeled, deveined, tails on) for garnish
• Ice cubes

I always chill the juices first—otherwise, you end up with a lukewarm punch, and nobody wants that. Honey makes it mellow, but maple syrup gives a bit more depth.

Instructions

• Fill your punch bowl halfway with ice cubes.
• Pour in the cranberry, orange, pineapple, and lemon juices.
• Give it a good stir with your mixing spoon.
• Add the vodka, then stir again.
• Taste it, and if you want it sweeter, mix in honey or maple syrup until it’s just right.
• Gently pour in the club soda for some fizz.
• Toss in the cranberries for a pop of color.
• Skewer the prawns and set one on each glass rim.
• Ladle into glasses and serve it cold.

I always add the club soda at the end, just so the bubbles don’t go flat. The prawns should be cold and a little firm—never warm—otherwise, it’s kind of weird with the punch.

Notes

Frozen cranberries double as ice cubes, which is pretty handy if you ask me. They won’t water down the punch, either.

If you want to lighten things up, just use less vodka and more club soda. Extra lemon juice is great if you love a bold citrus kick.

Serving the prawns on skewers keeps things tidy, and honestly, it looks kind of fancy. I always keep seafood chilled until the last second—nobody wants a warm prawn on their cocktail.

Tasting Notes

That first sip? There’s this sharp, crisp cranberry tartness that just snaps my taste buds awake. Then the prawns—yeah, prawns—add this gentle savory thing that somehow keeps the sweetness from taking over.

It’s refreshing, honestly, but doesn’t feel heavy at all. I’d say it’s the kind of drink you could keep coming back to without getting tired of it.

The flavor, in a way, reminds me of other cranberry drinks I’ve had. Like, a cranberry margarita is usually brighter and more citrusy, while a cranberry gin cocktail has those herbal notes that really stand out.

This punch? It lands somewhere in between, but with a softer, almost mellow edge. It’s not trying too hard, and I appreciate that.

If I’m thinking about a cosmopolitan or a cranberry mimosa, this one feels a bit more rounded. The fruit flavor’s bold, sure, but it never gets overwhelming.

That prawn garnish—okay, it’s a little quirky, but honestly, it’s a twist I haven’t seen in those other cocktails. Makes me wonder why more people don’t try it.

Now, compared to a cranberry bourbon cocktail or maybe a cranberry moscow mule, this punch is definitely lighter. No deep bourbon warmth, and none of that ginger beer kick.

Instead, it stays on the bright side, closer to a cranberry spritz or a poinsettia. There’s something easygoing about it.

The texture is smooth, and when it’s chilled, it goes down real easy. That cranberry flavor hangs around just long enough, but never overdoes it.