Festive Holiday Punches

Nothing says festive like a big bowl of punch being ladelled out at holiday parties. Creamy or sparkling, fruity or spiced, hot or ice cold, punch is a fun way to get your guests interacting! Try these recipes at your holiday parties!

Pink Holiday Punch

-1 cup cranberry juice
-1 cup orange juice
-1/2 cup lemon juice
-4 limes, thinly sliced
-1/4 cup granulated sugar
-Ice mold
-4 (750-ml.) bottles sparkling rose wine
-1 (28-ounce) bottle club soda
-1 cup orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)

Combine first five ingredients in small bowl, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour over ice in punch bowl. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Serve immediately in wine glasses. Makes about 30 (1/2 cup) servings.

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Orange Eggnog Punch

-1 quart chilled commercial eggnog or reduced-fat eggnog
-1 (12-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
-1 (12-ounce) can ginger ale, chilled

In a punch bowl or large pitcher, stir eggnog and orange juice concentrate until well mixed. Pour in ginger ale and stir gently to mix. Makes 8 (7-ounce) servings.

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Berry Eggnog Punch

-1 (12-ounce) can frozen cranberry-raspberry juice concentrate, thawed
-4 cups eggnog
-1 (12-ounce) can lemon-lime soda
-Whipped cream
-Ground nutmeg

In a pitcher, stir together juice, eggnog and soda. Mix well. Pour into cups or small glasses. Garnish with whipped cream and nutmeg. Makes 6 servings.

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Hot Spiced Cider and Rum Punch

-3 small oranges, well washed and dried
-About 3 tablespoons whole cloves
-2 quarts apple cider
-2 (4-inch) cinnamon sticks
-1 1/2 cups light or dark rum

Stud the oranges with the cloves. Place in a punch bowl. Heat the cider with the cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan. Pour over the oranges and add the rum. Serve warm in punch cups. Makes 12 servings.

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Cranberry-Vodka Punch

-4 cups chilled cranberry juice cocktail
-2 cups chilled orange juice
-2 cups vodka
-2 tablespoons sugar
-2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
-1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
-Ice cubes
-2 oranges, thinly sliced

Mix first 8 ingredients in large glass pitcher; stir until well blended. Refrigerate 2 hours to allow flavors to blend. Fill 8 tall glasses with ice cubes. Pour punch over. Garnish each glass with orange slice and serve.