Holiday Drink Recipes
The holidays deserve drinks that look as good as the table looks. We've pulled together our favorite holiday drink recipes — both cocktail and mocktail — built around the three flavors that absolutely belong on a holiday menu: cranberry, pomegranate, and apple.
Pomona's USDA Organic juices give you real fruit flavor with zero added sugar, so the drinks can carry the rich complexity that holiday entertaining calls for — mulling spices, fresh rosemary, champagne, bourbon, and ginger.
From the Thanksgiving punch bowl to the New Year's Eve toast, these recipes are designed to scale, prep ahead, and steal the spotlight.
FAQ
- Can I make holiday punches ahead of time? — Yes — make the juice/spirit base 24 hours ahead. Add sparkling components (champagne, soda water, ginger beer) just before serving so they stay bubbly.
- What's the best Pomona juice for a holiday party? — Cranberry and Pomegranate are the holiday workhorses — they're tart, jewel-toned, and pair with both spirits and sparkling water. Apple is essential for warm drinks like mulled cider and hot toddies.
- How do I scale these recipes for 20 guests? — Most cocktail recipes scale linearly — multiply by guest count. For punches, plan on 2-3 drinks per guest over a 3-hour party. One 8.4 oz Pomona bottle makes about 4 cocktails.
- Are there kid-friendly options here? — Yes — Cranberry Mocktail Punch, Pomegranate Rosemary Spritz, and Mulled Apple Cider (without bourbon) are all family-friendly and look just as festive.
- Can I use these for Thanksgiving and Christmas both? — Absolutely. The cranberry recipes shine at Thanksgiving, the pomegranate recipes are perfect for Christmas, and the mulled apple cider works for both. The Champagne Punch is built for New Year's Eve.
