I love the idea of throwing a holiday cocktail party (tinsel twinkling, friends mingling, and glasses clinking!) but actually pulling it off? That’s another story. Besides, this year gatherings will be relegated to a party of one or few with more lockdowns on the way. But when parties are back on the menu, typically, my biggest party anxiety is being cooped up in the kitchen playing mixologist for the entire night… And that’s where punch comes in.
A big bowl of holiday punch feels charmingly retro—and it’s a classic for a reason. Pre-batched cocktails simplify everything, giving you time before the party to work on creating some glam cocktail party vibes.
Whether you’re into winter classics like cider and mulled wine, or just want a margarita no matter the temperature outside, the following holiday punch recipes are ones you can lean on if you’re hosting Thanksgiving or throwing a New Year’s Eve bash this year (at home!). We’d suggest stocking the bar cart with one of these, plus some wine and bubbly, so your guests can serve themselves what they like—and so you can enjoy the festivities all night long.
Maple Bourbon Punch
White Christmas Margarita Punch
Camille’s Pomegranate Punch
Cranberry Molasses Mulled Wine from Vegetarian Ventures
Friendsgiving Punch
Pumpkin Patch Punch from Half Baked Harvest
Marmalade Whiskey Sours, from Martha Stewart
Wassail from Boulder Locavore
Rudolph’s Rockin’ Pomegranate Jingle Juice Punch
Feature image by Ashleigh Amoroso.
