This warm Crockpot Christmas Punch recipe infuses store-bought cranberry and apple juices with seasonal spices making this non-alcoholic cranberry punch extra tasty! This flavorful mulled cranberry juice is easy to make and perfect for serving a crowd at a holiday party or a fun family night.
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You'll love this cranberry punch recipe
Warm Christmas Cranberry Punch is one of my favorite drinks to serve when the weather cools down.
Made in a slow cooker, and infused with cinnamon, ginger, clove, and orange, this cozy, warm drink is the perfect thing to enjoy while watching holiday movies.
Growing up my mom made this delicious Apple Cider recipe. To come up with my own version, I decided to add cranberry juice. It adds gorgeous color and a tart flavor that is perfect for sipping.
Mulled Spiced Cider (whether made in a crockpot or on the stove), is typically a sweet-ish drink (with apple cider as the base) heated and infused with citrus and spices.
This Christmas punch version has not only apple cider but also cranberry and orange juice too. And then when you add your favorite seasonal spices, it takes it to the next flavor level.
This warm crockpot cranberry punch is easy to make especially since you can keep most of these things on hand to make it whenever you need or want to.
This is a great non-alcoholic warm drink (that isn't hot chocolate) to serve for any holiday get-together or for the family on a cold afternoon.
You could easily set up a cider station (similar to my Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board) for a dessert and cider party.
Ingredient Notes
For this recipe, I used a combination of apple juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice.
The cranberry juice gives it such a pretty red color!
There is nothing more "holiday" than a clove-studded orange, amIright? We used to make these as kids and they are the perfect way to infuse the cider with flavor.
Fresh ginger really helps to bring the bottled juices alive, while the cinnamon sticks add warmth.
How to make Christmas Punch in the Crockpot
Scroll down to the end of the post for a printable recipe card with full measurements and more detailed instructions.
Step 1
Cut an orange in half and then poke whole cloves into the skin.
Step 2
To the bowl of a Crockpot, add the bottled juices.
Step 3
Then add in the cinnamon sticks, ginger pieces, and oranges with cloves.
Step 4
Cover and cook for a few hours.
To Make on the Stovetop
You can easily make this Mulled Cranberry punch on the stove. Simply add everything to a medium to large saucepan and heat through. It doesn't need to come to a boil. A light simmer will do.
You can keep the simmer going for up to an hour. But if you plan to leave it longer you may want to move it to a thermos.
Leaving it on the heat will cause the sugars to start reducing and the water to cook out. It won't ruin it but it will start to concentrate the flavors.
To Serve
If you want to make this for a crowd, you can serve it right from the slow cooker. Set out mugs and a ladle and the warm, comforting drink can be enjoyed by everyone whenever they want it at the perfect temperature.
You can also move it to a thermos or insulated pitcher to keep it warm and make serving easy. This works especially well if you are taking it to go!
Tips and Tricks
- A quick garnish of an orange peel and cinnamon stick is a fun way to serve it.
- Do not use sparkling juices. For best taste results use cold-pressed or juices that are as natural as possible.
- To spike this warm Christmas punch, add an ounce or more of bourbon, spiced rum, vanilla or citrus vodka or whatever sounds delicious to you!
As always, take this recipe and make it your own. If you want to add other spices do it.
If you want more or less juice, do it. If you want to lose most of the juice and use wine instead, do it. Because you KNOW I'm totally into that idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
To store the leftover cranberry punch, let it cool completely then keep it in the fridge in an air-tight container. It should last a few days.
I decided to leave the spices large because I was out of cheesecloth but you could absolutely put them in a little bundle so they can easily be removed. Use a slotted spoon or fine mesh sieve to scroop out any spices you don't want.
Not much. Both are spiced and usually heated. You can spike either with wine or spirits. Wassail is an English tradition. Cider is typically made with apple cider. This punch is a little bit of everything.
To reheat leftover mulled cider, simply place a portion in a microwave-safe mug and heat it up for about a minute in the microwave. Or you can reheat the whole batch on the stove (once). Don't reheat the whole batch more than that one time.
This delicious warm Crockpot Christmas Punch recipe with cranberry juice is sweet and tasty from the seasonal spices. Drink this all fall and winter long!
I originally created this recipe to go along with my Hallmark Christmas Movie Drinking Game. But really, a Holiday Mule works better for that in my opinion.
More easy recipes
- This spiced Cranberry Juice is a great base for all kinds of mocktails and cocktails.
- Pina Colada Slush is a fun non-alcoholic recipe to make for parties.
- Make a Fireball Mule! Cinnamon whiskey makes this cocktail spicy and refreshing at the same time.
- Jazz up your morning coffee make Spiced Cinnamon Coffee instead!
- Make some Hot Green Tea with Vodka next time you want to curl up on the couch and get cozy!
Crockpot Christmas Cranberry Punch Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups apple juice
- 4 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 orange, cut in half
- Handful of whole cloves
- 2 inch piece of fresh ginger peeled and cut into several slices
- 3 cinnamon sticks plus extra for garnish (optional)
- Orange pieces to garnish optional
Instructions
- To a Crockpot, add cranberry, orange and apple juices.
- Cut an orange in half and then stick whole cloves into the skin on both halves. Add to the slow cooker.
- Add ginger pieces and cinnamon sticks. Gently stir.
- Cover and let cook for about 3 hours.
Notes
- A quick garnish of an orange peel and cinnamon stick is a fun way to serve it.
- Do not use sparkling juices. For best taste results use cold-pressed or juices that are as natural as possible.
- To spike Mulled Cranberry Cider add an ounce or more of bourbon, spiced rum, vanilla or citrus vodka or whatever sounds delicious to you!
- If you want to make this for a crowd, you can serve it right from the slow cooker. Set out mugs and a ladle and the warm, comforting drink can be enjoyed by everyone whenever they want it at the perfect temperature.
- Change up the spices and flavors based on your preferences.
- If you prefer, you can add the spices to a piece of cheesecloth tied with cooking string for easy removal.
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