This red Holiday Punch is made with just five simple ingredients: fruit juice, a juice mix, sugar (optional), and club soda. It’s a fizzy, fruity, non-alcoholic Christmas drink that’s quick to prepare. A sugar-free, lower-calorie version is also included below.
Welcome back! This punch is part of the 12 Days of Christmas Sweets series at Dessert Now, Dinner Later. A holiday gathering just feels right with a big bowl of punch—this one is a family favorite served every Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s alcohol-free, kid-friendly, and comes together in minutes.
Holiday Punch Recipe
The flavor leans tropical, but the bright red color makes it festive for the holidays. If you prefer a more traditional winter taste, stir in some cranberry juice to balance the pineapple.
Ingredients:
- Tropical Punch Kool-Aid mix
- Granulated sugar (optional or reduced to taste)
- Chilled water
- Chilled pineapple juice
- Chilled club soda
Make sure all liquids are chilled before combining. In a punch bowl or large pitcher, stir together the Kool-Aid mix, sugar (if using), water, and pineapple juice until the sugar dissolves. Refrigerate to chill if needed. Add the club soda only just before serving to preserve the fizz. Serve with or without ice.
Note: This recipe is easy to double if you need more. I often buy extra pineapple juice and make a double batch so nothing runs out mid-party.
*Exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Sugar-Free Holiday Punch Recipe
If you prefer a lower-calorie option, the sugar-free version tastes great and is just as festive. This version is often a favorite in our family—some even prefer it to the original.
Sugar-free ingredients:
- Tropical Punch Crystal Light packets (or similar powdered drink mix)
- Chilled water
- Chilled Sprite Zero (or another zero-calorie lemon-lime soda)
Stir the Crystal Light packets into the chilled water until fully dissolved. Chill if needed. Add the cold soda right before serving and give a gentle stir. Serve with or without ice. If your bowl or pitcher is small, make this in two smaller batches.
More Non-Alcoholic Christmas Punch Recipes
- Cranberry Mocktail
- Sparkling Apple Cider
- Christmas Punch with Sherbet
- Cranberry Lime Spritzer
- Sparkling Cranberry Punch
Holiday Punch
Ingredients
- 1 packet Tropical Punch Kool-Aid mix
- 1 cup granulated sugar (optional; use 1/2 cup for less-sugar)
- 2 cups water, chilled
- 2 cups pineapple juice, chilled
- 1 liter club soda, chilled
Equipment
- 3-quart glass bowl or large punch bowl
- Ladle
- Glass pitcher
Instructions
- Mix the Kool-Aid packet with sugar, water, and pineapple juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Chill in the refrigerator if desired.
- Just before serving, add the cold club soda and gently stir once to preserve carbonation. Serve with or without ice.
Notes
- Easy to double for larger gatherings.
- Serve with or without ice.
SUGAR-FREE VERSION
- 2 packets Tropical Punch Crystal Light (2-quart size) or equivalent
- 4 cups chilled water
- 2 liters Sprite Zero, chilled
Nutrition
Calories: 149 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 38 g |
Sodium: 9 mg |
Sugar: 36 g
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates calculated with a third-party tool.
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*Originally published 12/16/12.