Poinsettia Punch Cocktail Recipe

Looking for a drink that’s festive but not fussy? You might want to try this one. The Poinsettia Punch Cocktail brings together cranberry, sparkling wine, and orange liqueur for a spritz that’s honestly pretty hard to resist.

It’s light, it’s bright, and it’s almost too easy to serve at a party. I’ve always liked how just a few ingredients can look and taste so celebratory, with barely any work.

You can whip up a single glass for yourself or, if you’re feeling generous, make a big bowl for friends. That splashy red color really pops on a holiday table, but honestly, it fits just about any gathering.

I’ll walk you through mixing it up, the tools you’ll need (not many, promise), and a few ways to make it look extra inviting. Oh, and I’ll talk about the flavors too—because that’s what really matters, right?

Poinsettia Punch Cocktail Recipe

Whenever I want something festive but not heavy, I end up making this punch. The combo of cranberry juice, vodka, and champagne is crisp, a little tart, and looks gorgeous.

Tossing in some fresh cranberries gives it that extra holiday vibe, and they float around looking pretty on the table.

Equipment

Honestly, you don’t need much for this. A big punch bowl is great, but a pitcher works if that’s what you’ve got. A ladle is handy for serving without making a mess.

• Large punch bowl or pitcher
• Ladle for serving
• Measuring cups
• Long spoon for stirring
• Ice cube tray
• Small cocktail glasses or flutes

I like to pop the glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before serving—keeps things cold and shows off that rich red color.

Ingredients

I try to keep the ingredient list simple and easy to grab at almost any grocery store. The mix of fruit juice, bubbly, and vodka hits the sweet-tart balance.

Fresh cranberries are mostly for looks, but they do add a little bite.

• 1 bottle champagne or dry sparkling wine, chilled
• 2 cups cranberry juice, chilled
• 1 cup vodka, chilled
• 1 cup orange liqueur (totally optional if you want it sweeter)
• 1 cup club soda or sparkling water
• 1–2 cups fresh cranberries for garnish
• Ice cubes as needed
• Orange slices or rosemary sprigs for decoration (if you’re feeling fancy)

I usually grab unsweetened cranberry juice so it doesn’t get too sugary. If I want a sweeter punch, I’ll just add a splash of simple syrup.

Instructions

I always wait until just before everyone shows up to mix this—it keeps the bubbles fresh. The steps are quick and not at all fussy.

• Make sure everything is chilled before you start.
• Fill the punch bowl about halfway with ice.
• Pour in the cranberry juice, vodka, and orange liqueur.
• Stir gently with a long spoon.
• Add the champagne slowly so you don’t lose the fizz.
• Top it off with club soda or sparkling water.
• Toss in the fresh cranberries and a few orange slices for garnish.
• Ladle into glasses and serve right away.

I usually sneak a taste before serving and adjust if needed. Too strong? I’ll add a bit more juice or soda.

Notes

Dry champagne keeps the drink from turning out too sweet, at least in my experience. If I’m using a sweeter bubbly, I just cut back a little on the orange liqueur.

Fresh cranberries aren’t just cute—they help keep the punch cold without watering it down. I’ll even freeze them sometimes and use them instead of ice cubes.

It’s really easy to scale this up. For bigger parties, I’ll just double everything and keep extra bottles chilled so I can refill the bowl as needed.

Tasting Notes

That first sip? It’s honestly pretty light and super refreshing. Right away, the cranberry juice hits with this crisp tartness that wakes up my taste buds.

There’s a bit of orange liqueur in there, and I swear it adds just enough sweetness. It keeps the cranberry from being too sharp, but thankfully doesn’t make the whole thing sugary.

Then, the sparkling wine kicks in with a soft fizz. Those bubbles really liven things up, making each sip feel bright and, well, kind of fun.

I notice a subtle citrus aroma floating around too. It lingers as I drink, which somehow makes the punch feel extra fresh.

And the color—can we talk about that? The deep red looks so festive, totally matching the punch’s bright, fruity vibe.

If I take my time with it, the flavors just stay balanced and smooth. Nothing gets heavy, and I keep getting that mix of tart, sweet, and sparkling right through to the end.