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Cozy Cranberry Rosemary Holiday Punch: Easy 5-Minute Recipe

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This Cozy Cranberry Rosemary Holiday Punch is a quick and easy 5-minute recipe that brings together tart cranberries, earthy rosemary, and subtle sweetness for a perfect holiday drink. It’s a crowd-pleaser that can be made non-alcoholic or spiked with bourbon or vodka.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (950 ml) cranberry juice, unsweetened or lightly sweetened
  • 4–5 fresh rosemary sprigs, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed if possible
  • 3–4 tablespoons (60–80 ml) honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) whole cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 large orange, sliced into thin rounds
  • 2–3 cinnamon sticks
  • 2–3 star anise pods (optional)
  • 2 cups (475 ml) sparkling water or ginger ale
  • Ice cubes, as needed
  • 1 cup (240 ml) vodka or bourbon (optional, for alcoholic version)

Instructions

  1. Bruise the rosemary: Gently roll the fresh rosemary sprigs between your palms or press them with the back of a spoon to release the oils without breaking the stems.
  2. Combine the base: In a large pitcher or punch bowl, pour in the cranberry juice and orange juice. Add the bruised rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and star anise if using. Stir gently.
  3. Sweeten to taste: Add the honey or maple syrup and stir until fully dissolved. If honey is thick, warm the juice mixture slightly in a saucepan over low heat for 1-2 minutes (optional). Taste and adjust sweetness.
  4. Chill and infuse: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. For best results, let it infuse for up to 4 hours, but remove rosemary sprigs after 2 hours to avoid over-steeping.
  5. Add the fizz: Just before serving, remove the rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks (or leave them in for visual appeal, but remove after 2 hours). Pour in the sparkling water or ginger ale and stir gently.
  6. Prepare the garnish: Slice the orange into thin rounds. Optionally, make small slits in the orange slices and thread them onto the rim of glasses. Add a few whole cranberries to each glass.
  7. Serve and enjoy: Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the punch over the ice, leaving room for garnish. Add a fresh rosemary sprig to each glass and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t over-steep the rosemary; remove after 2 hours to avoid a pine-like flavor. For a stronger rosemary presence, gently muddle a few rosemary leaves in the pitcher before adding liquids. Make a rosemary simple syrup by simmering 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup honey, and 2 rosemary sprigs for 5 minutes, then strain and use instead of plain honey. Use large ice cubes that melt slowly to avoid dilution. For a warm mulled version, skip the sparkling water and ice, and heat all ingredients in a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry rosemary punch, holiday punch, easy punch recipe, 5-minute punch, non-alcoholic punch, holiday drink, Christmas punch, New Year's Eve punch

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/cozy-cranberry-rosemary-holiday-punch-easy-5-minute-recipe/