This incredibly easy cranberry tequila holiday punch makes serving a crowd a breeze. It starts with a tequila infused with cranberries and rosemary, then is mixed with juices, vanilla simple syrup and a little soda for brightness. Garnish with cranberries, orange slices, and rosemary, and it’s ready to serve.

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The holiday punch you'll make every year
Everything you need to make this recipe
How to make this holiday punch
Servings and pairings
Storage and make ahead recommendations
Recipe FAQs
Want more holiday recipes?
Cranberry Tequila Holiday Punch Recipe

The holiday punch you'll make every year

If there’s anything I love during the holidays, it’s a drink that shows up ready to work. A big, gorgeous punch bowl filled with cranberries, rosemary, oranges, pomegranate, and the tiniest hint of vanilla feels like Christmas poured into a glass. The best part is that you can make it ahead, set it out, and let everyone help themselves while you focus on hosting or absolutely not hosting and just enjoying the party.

Everything you need to make this recipe

Everything you need to make this punch is surprisingly simple. There are four parts that work together to give it all that flavor and color: the infused tequila, the vanilla simple syrup, the punch base, and the garnishes. Nothing complicated, just the right pieces doing their job.

tequila + rosemary + cranberries: Add everything to a jar, let it sit for a couple of days, and you’ve got a deeply flavorful, slightly festive infusion. I use a reposado tequila for its warmth, though an añejo would be great too. Espolon makes a solid version of both.

water + sugar + vanilla: A quick vanilla simple syrup that takes minutes and makes the whole punch taste intentional.

cranberry juice + pomegranate juice + blood orange Italian soda + Cointreau liqueur: These all get poured together in a big punch bowl, creating a mix that’s bright, tart, sweet, and perfectly balanced.

orange + cranberries + rosemary: The garnishes that make everything look polished and instantly festive.

Kitchen equipment needed:

Mason jar (32oz or bigger)
small saucepan + whisk
large punch bowl (8 quarts or bigger)
chef's knife + cutting board
10-14 glasses or cups for serving

How to make this holiday punch

1. Infuse the tequila

Combine tequila, rosemary, and cranberries in a large jar and let it infuse at room temperature for at least five days.

2. Make the vanilla simple syrup

Simmer water and sugar until dissolved, stir in the vanilla, and let it cool completely.

3. Make the punch

Strain the infused tequila into a large punch bowl, add the juices, soda, and Cointreau, stir everything together, and finish with the garnishes.

Servings and pairings

This is the cocktail I like to put out right as guests walk through the door. It’s festive without trying too hard, it gets everyone in a good mood almost immediately, and it buys you a few precious minutes to pull things together in the kitchen. By the time dinner rolls around, you can switch everyone to wine and let the punch retire gracefully for the night.

A big-batch cocktail is truly the host’s secret weapon. When you’re balancing appetizers, timing the main course, and trying not to forget about the rolls in the oven, the last thing you need is to shake individual drinks. One punch bowl, a ladle, a stack of glasses, and suddenly you look like the most organized person in the room. It's holiday magic.

Storage and make ahead recommendations

The tequila infusion and vanilla simple syrup can both be made a few days ahead, which is ideal if you like to feel even a little prepared before guests arrive. Keep the syrup in the fridge, let the tequila do its thing on the counter, and when the day comes, all you have to do is pour everything into a giant punch bowl. That’s it. Instant party.

If you end up with extra punch, ladle it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh for up to a week, which means bonus cocktails for you long after everyone else has gone home.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this with a different type of tequila?
Yes. You can use an añejo tequila instead of reposado if you prefer, though it can bring a stronger, more oak-forward flavor that sometimes overpowers the punch. Whatever you choose, stick to a top-shelf brand for the best result.

What if I can't find blood orange Italian soda?
If you can’t track down the Italian soda, you can make a great substitute by using 2 cups of blood orange or regular orange juice mixed with 2 cups of sparkling water and 1 cup of vanilla simple syrup (you’ll need to double the vanilla simple syrup recipe to have enough).

I can't find fresh cranberries. Can I use frozen instead?
Absolutely. Frozen cranberries work perfectly—just let them come to room temperature before using so they infuse properly.

Want more holiday entertaining recipes?

Here are some of my latest holiday recipes perfect for any gathering:

If you make this, tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see it — few things bring me more joy than scrolling through and spotting what you’ve cooked.

Questions? Comments? Reviews? Leave them below. This is the best way to reach me, and yes, I actually read them.

Xoxo, Lee

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Cranberry Tequila Holiday Punch

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The holiday punch you'll make every year