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Throw together cranberry, pineapple, and orange juices—and whip up your own sweet cinnamon syrup—for this easy holiday crowd-pleaser. It’s got bubbly goodness, a combo of tangy and sweet, and comes together fast. You can knock out most of the work ahead of time and ramp up the batch for any group size.
Top Highlights
This punch is a breeze for hosting any holiday crew. You don’t need anything fancy—just everyday stuff, and it tastes surprisingly special. Do most of the work early so you’re not stressed at party time. Make more or less depending on your guest list, and switch it up for kids or grownups. The color pops and you’ve got lots of fun ways to dress it up without tricky skills.
Needed Items
- Pineapple Juice: 2 cups real pineapple juice brings a burst of sweetness
- Sprite: 2 liters, kept cold, for fizzy sweetness
- Orange Juice: 2 cups (no pulp) deliver citrusy, smooth flavor
- Cranberry Juice: 4 cups unsweetened cranberry—gives the punch its tart zip and color
- Grenadine: ¼ cup deepens that bright beautiful color
- Cinnamon: 4 whole sticks give a hint of spice
- Water: 1 cup filtered, perfect for mixing the syrup
- Sugar: 1 cup, plain white, melts for syrup
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Easygoing Instructions
- Get the Cinnamon Syrup Ready
- Dump 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and all 4 cinnamon sticks into a pot. Let it heat until it hits 225°F (107°C). Let it bubble for 5 minutes. Wait until it cools off, then strain so it’s smooth.
- Mix Your Juices
- Grab a super big punch bowl (think 2 gallons). Pour in your orange, cranberry, and pineapple juices. Add the cooled syrup plus ¼ cup grenadine. Stir it up really well.
- Finish It Off
- Only when you’re ready to drink, pour in all the cold Sprite. Give it a couple gentle stirs to keep it fizzy. Keep it cold, under 40°F (4°C).
- Serve It Up
- Fill up glasses with ice, pour in the punch, and throw on some fun garnishes if you want. Drink right away so it’s nice and bubbly.
Make-Ahead Tips
Chop up the work so you’re not crunched for time. You can do the cinnamon syrup three days in advance—just stash it in the fridge (keep it at 40°F/4°C). The juice mix (without any Sprite) can sit in the fridge for a day. Get garnish stuff ready up to 4 hours ahead: slice oranges in quarter-inch rounds and layer with a damp towel to keep them fresh. Float any cranberries in cool water until go time. Leave the Sprite out until the very end to keep things bubbly.
Party-Size Directions
Got 25 or more thirsty folks? Set up a DIY station. Fill a big 3-gallon drink dispenser with the juice mix. Put bottles of Sprite, an ice bucket, and your garnishes close by. Remember, each serving is about 8 ounces. Use tall 12-ounce glasses so it’s just right. Drop in an ice ring or add frozen fruit to keep things cold (below 40°F/4°C). Change out the ice every 2 hours so everything stays safe.
How to Spike It
If you want to make it boozy, just pour in your favorite liquor with a light hand. Add 1.5 ounces of the spirit per 8 ounces of punch. Vodka, white rum (40% strength), bourbon (45% strength), or even spiced rum (35% strength) play nice here. Don’t forget to cut back the Sprite by a quarter if you’re adding alcohol—that way the flavor isn’t watered down. Label the boozy punch clearly, and keep any alcohol mixing away from the kid-friendly stuff.
Fun Garnishes
Pick toppings that look cool and are easy to add. Skewer 4 to 5 fresh cranberries on short picks for a pop of color. Slice oranges in quarter-inch rounds, then cut a little notch so they hang on the glass rim. Set out 4-inch cinnamon sticks if folks want something to stir with. Feeling extra? Toss 1/4 cup sugar with a teaspoon of ground cinnamon for sugary glass rims. Keep garnishes chilled (40°F/4°C), and swap them out for new ones every couple of hours.
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Chilling & Keeping
Keep everything separate, so it all stays fresh. The cinnamon syrup’s good for 3 days in a sealed jar in the fridge. The juice blend (without soda) keeps about a day in the fridge. Freshly prepped garnishes stay fine up to 4 hours in a covered container, chilled. Don’t let pre-mixed, bubbly punch sit for more than 2 hours or it’ll go flat. Toss any punch that’s been out of the fridge over 4 hours—it’s not worth the risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prep it early?
Mix juices and syrup up to a day before, but don't add the sprite until right before serving—it’ll lose its fizz. Store the juice mix in the fridge for 2-3 days, or freeze some as an ice ring to keep it chilled later. Make some extra syrup for other drinks; it keeps for weeks!
- → How do I make it for adults?
Pour in a cup of rum, vodka, or bourbon to bump it up a notch. Spiced rum pairs great with cinnamon, while white rum gives a lighter feel. Bourbon brings fall vibes. Add alcohol little by little to get the taste just right and make a separate kid-friendly batch to keep everyone happy.
- → Too sweet? Can I fix it?
Use less syrup and tweak as you go. Diet soda helps cut the sugar down, or skip the syrup and stick with straight juices. Adding lime juice or unsweetened cranberry juice balances the sweetness nicely. Always easier to sweeten more later than to undo it!
- → How do I make it look fancy?
Toss in some fresh cranberries or orange slices for color. Add a cinnamon stick for a fun touch, or use rosemary sprigs for a festive green vibe. Freeze fruits in ice cubes or make sugared rims for sparkle. Even a lemon slice brightens it up while keeping it practical!
Conclusion
Need easy drink ideas? Try cranberry spritzers with fizz next time. Or go for warming apple cinnamon teas. Even a basic pineapple cooler gives that cheerful party vibe without the hassle!