29 Punch Recipes for Easy, Elegant Entertaining
Punch recipes can be as simple as any spirit mixed with citrus juice, sugar, and water, but we all know that punch can get as ornate as the vintage cut-crystal serving bowl you picked up at a garage sale last year. Some of these large-format drinks add tea or spiced syrups, or layer in lemon and orange fragrance in the form of an oleo-saccharum. Some are served warm—or even flaming. And while there are lots of big-batch cocktails for serious sipping on Epicurious, the recipes below are largely designed to be easy-drinking, festive, and sometimes fizzy, ideal for pairing with party snacks or a mountain of Christmas cookies. Grab that punch bowl and scroll down to find the best punch recipes to fill it.
Photograph by Kelly Puleio1/29Tingly Pomegranate Rum Punch
One of the great beauties of punch recipes is that you, as the host, aren’t stuck at a card table or in the kitchen, shaking cocktails for everyone one by one. But they’re also a great way to use up a full batch of any infusion, like the bottle of Sichuan-peppercorn-tinged rum in this tingly, tart pomegranate drink. Dump the bottle in and punch is served.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell2/29Raspberry and Thyme Hot Toddy Punch
This cozy spin on the classic hot toddy will warm your guests as they come in from the cold. Raspberry liqueur adds a touch of fruity flavor and black tea balances the mix.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/29Sangria
You can keep this classic large-format drink simple with just lemon and orange slices, or get elaborate with pomegranate seeds, slices of pears, or whatever fruit you have on hand. (Watermelon is a nice addition in summer!) The recipe calls for Cointreau, but Grand Marnier is also delicious here.
Photo by Kelly Puleio4/29Sneaky Peat
Cranberries bob in this slightly smoky punch made with scotch and oolong tea; it’s a stylish drink for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele5/29Life of the Party
A gracious host always has something fun to drink that’s not boozy, and you can do better than pink lemonade or limeade from a carton or frozen mix. This nonalcoholic aperitif punch is gingery, citrusy, and delightfully bitter.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews6/29Champagne Punch With Brandy and Citrus
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton7/29Gourmet’s Classic Eggnog
If you’ve only had eggnog from a carton, it’s time to make this luscious brandy- and rum-based version from the pages of Gourmet. For extra credit, line it up next to this coffee-and-sherry variation or this one with bourbon and smoky tea and let people vote on a favorite.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson9/29Thanksgiving Sangria
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen10/29Champagne Punch
Sage and gin add wintry fragrance to this sparkling punch, made with fresh lemon juice, sparkling wine, and ginger liqueur.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi11/29Mike’s Milk Punch
This frothy bourbon punch is a bit like eggnog without the eggs. Be sure to set out nutmeg and a grater so your guests can garnish their glasses.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne14/29Aperitif Scorpion Bowls
This flexible recipe pairs your favorite sweet vermouth with any amaro you have on hand. Going shopping? We especially like Cynar in this. To prep ahead, you can combine the amaro, vermouth, and bitters in the morning or afternoon and stash it in your fridge.
Photo by Teri Lyn Fisher.15/29French 75 Punch
Easy punch recipes don’t need to involve lime sherbet or Sprite. Based on the classic French 75 cocktail, this gin, lemon, and Champagne punch is quick to make and easy to enjoy.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton17/29Apples and Oranges
Hot buttered rum is a seasonal classic, but have you had hot buttered cider? Scale this one up and keep warm on your stovetop or in a slow cooker. It’s nice to have on hand during Halloween if the weather’s especially chilly.
Ma'ayan Rosenzweig18/29Rabbit Punch
This traditional party punch recipe gets its sweetness from a mix of fresh pineapple juice and oleo-saccharum, an easy citrus and sugar base that’s no harder to make than simple syrup.
Photo by Bobbi Lin23/29Earl Grey–Bourbon Punch
Show off your decorative ice ring skills when you make this wintry whiskey and brandy punch.
Photo by Paul H. Christian, Food Styling by Michele Figliuolo24/29Strawberry, Grapefruit, and Chamomile Brunch Punch
Photograph by Victoria Jane, Food Styling by Mallory Lance, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon26/29Easy, Elegant Christmas Punch
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott28/29Under-the-Mistletoe Punch
Since there’s no whiskey, gin, or brandy here, this sherry and vermouth punch is relatively low-ABV. It makes 20 servings; feel free to scale the recipe up or down depending on how many guests you’ve invited.
Photo by Marcus Nilsson29/29Swedish Glögg
One of the best things about warm punch recipes is how great they’ll make your whole home smell—this mulled wine is packed with fragrant cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger.
