Julie Clark
Posted: Updated:
Cranberry Orange Punch
Tastes of Lizzy T participates in affiliate advertising programs. We may earn a commission when you make a purchase through links on our site.
Tart cranberries, juicy tangerines, and fizzy bubbles make this Cranberry Orange Punch drink recipe the BEST holiday mocktail.
Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why… It’s almost Christmas!!!! The Christmas spirit is in the air.
Every year when we decorate the tree we buy unique glass bottled sodas to try. We pick them up at local eclectic shops and have fun sampling them. But sometimes it is fun to make your own fizzy drink, and when we do, it is often Cranberry Orange Punch.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This fizzy Cranberry Orange Punch is bubbly and so, so tasty. It starts with a cranberry simple syrup which comes together in a snap. Tart and sweet and fragrant.
- Tangerine slices and simple syrup are muddled in a glass until the tangerines release their juice and fragrant citrus oils.
- Add in seltzer water and decorate with fresh cranberries and rosemary.
- Perfect for serving at Christmas dinner and family holiday parties.
Does cranberry and orange go together?
Yes! It’s a popular flavor combination, especially at the holidays. Not only is it a sweet and tangy flavor punch, but this drink is packed full of Vitamin C. If you want more of this flavor combination, try our quick bread, Jello salad and muffins.
Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries. Fresh are best, but you can use frozen in a pinch. If you choose frozen, don’t thaw them.
- Water
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Tangerines. Tangerines are great for this drink because they are sweet and strong in flavor. Their sweetness will pair well with the tart cranberries. They are smaller than oranges, which also work well for drinks. You can use Cuties (mandarin oranges) if you’d like, too.
- Seltzer. Choose a plain seltzer, or a citrus lime seltzer.
How to Make Cranberry Simple Syrup
This recipe starts with a simple syrup that you’ll make on the stovetop with fresh cranberries. It may sound tricky, but it’s really very easy if you just walk through the steps.
- In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, water, sugar, and vanilla extract. Give it a quick stir and bring to a boil over medium/high heat (watch it or it will boil over).
- Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the cranberries burst (you’ll hear them. It’s so cool), soften, and wrinkle a bit. Remove from heat and allow it to come to room temperature (cranberries and all).
- Strain the cranberries, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
And that’s your simple syrup. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. This will make about 2 cups of simple syrup that are great for all kinds of family friendly punches and mocktails.
Make Cranberry Orange Punch
- To an 8 ounce glass, add the quartered tangerines and cranberry simple syrup. Muddle with a muddler or back of a wooden spoon until the tangerine slices are very fragrant and release their liquid.
- Add ice over the tangerine/simple syrup mixture and top with seltzer.
These drinks are so pretty when you top them with more fresh cranberries and a spring of rosemary. It looks like evergreen so it is perfect for the holidays.
And in the summertime, make this traditional Shirley Temple drink.
Cranberry Orange Punch
Tart cranberries, juicy tangerines, and tickly bubbles make this Cranberry Orange Punch recipe the BEST holiday drink!
Servings 16
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the cranberry simple syrup:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- splash of vanilla extract
For the Cranberry Tangerine Fizzy:
- 1 tangerine quartered
- 2-3 tablespoons cranberry simple syrup or to taste
- ice
- seltzer I found this terrific Cranberry Lime Seltzer, but plain is fine
- cranberries & fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions
Cranberry simple syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, water, sugar, and vanilla extract. Give it a quick stir and bring to a boil over medium/high heat (watch it or it will boil over).
- Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the cranberries burst (you'll hear them. It's so cool), soften, and wrinkle a bit. Remove from heat and allow it to come to room temperature (cranberries and all).
- Strain the cranberries, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the cranberries or save for cheesecake topping.
- Pour the syrup into a glass container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Makes about 2 cups of simple syrup.
For the Cranberry Tangerine Punch:
- To an 8 ounce glass, add the quartered tangerines and cranberry simple syrup. Muddle with a muddler or back of a wooden spoon until the tangerine slices are very fragrant and release their liquid. Add ice over the tangerine/simple syrup mixture and top with seltzer.
- Give it a quick stir and garnish with cranberries & fresh rosemary, if desired.
Notes
The calories shown are based on the the recipe making 2 cups of syrup, with 1 serving being 2 tablespoons of syrup in each drink. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate.
Nutrition
Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 17mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 2.7mg | Calcium: 3mg
