How to Make the Perfect Hot Cranberry Punch
American · Easy · 25 min · 10 servings
This warming hot cranberry punch is a cozy spiced holiday drink that fills the house with the delicious aroma of cranberry cinnamon and orange peel simmering on the stove. This easy slow cooker hot cranberry punch recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving Christmas and cold winter gatherings as a comforting non-alcoholic warm drink.
Why this recipe works
This Hot Cranberry Punch recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 25 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 125 calories with 0g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 64 oz cranberry juice cocktail
- 32 oz apple juice
- 4 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1 whole orange sliced into rounds
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Combine in Pot or Slow Cooker
Pour the cranberry juice and apple juice into a large saucepan or slow cooker and stir gently to combine the two juices together.
Step 2: Add Spices
Add the cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and whole cloves to the liquid and stir once to distribute the spices throughout the punch.
Step 3: Heat the Punch
Heat over medium heat on the stovetop until steaming but not boiling, about 15 to 20 minutes, or set slow cooker to low for 2 hours until hot and fragrant.
Step 4: Strain and Serve
Use a ladle to serve the hot punch through a small strainer into mugs, discarding the whole spices and garnishing each mug with a fresh cinnamon stick.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- whole cloves → quarter teaspoon of ground cloves stirred directly into the juice
- apple juice → apple cider for a more complex autumn flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Boiling the punch which can make the cranberry juice bitter and damage the delicate spice flavors
- Forgetting to strain out the whole cloves which can end up in guests mugs and are unpleasant to drink
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 125 calories, 0g protein, 32g carbs, 0g fat, 0g fiber.
Ready to cook?
Get the interactive recipe with adjustable servings, built-in timers, and ingredient checklist.
View full recipe →