It isn't Christmas without a festive drink if you ask my kids, and this one always gets them SO excited. It's an easy punch I let simmer in my crockpot, then garnish with seasonal fruit. I take an extra few minutes to cut out stars from a few slices of green apple, because it looks so festive.I mostly make this as a non-alcoholic version, but included a few ways to spike it in the recipe notes. Merry Christmas!
a few whole cloves, a few whole star anise, pinch of ground nutmeg, pinch of ground gingerto taste
Garnish:
sliced green apple, sliced oranges, cranberriesI cut apple slices into star shapes with a cookie cutter for a festive garnish
Instructions
Place all ingredients for the punch in an approx. 4 quart slow cooker. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
Add garnishes to the punch and serve hot. Keeps on the warm setting for a couple of hours before the fruit turns too soft.
Notes
Stovetop Instructions:
Instead of using the slow cooker, you can make it on the stove. Place all ingredients for the punch in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Ingredient Notes:
Spices: Feel free to use my Hot Apple Cider Cinnamon Spice Mix in place of the spices this recipe calls for.Juices: Feel free to mix up the juices. Add more pineapple, use orange in place of the cranberry or add more sweetness by using part grape juice.Scale up or down: Click the little blue serving yield number in the recipe to scale the recipe up or down. Great if you only have a small gathering, or if you have a huge party!Make it naughty: You can spike this with some rum, Amaretto or red wine if you're 21+. Stir it into the finished punch, don't cook the alcohol! You didn't hear it from me. Ho, ho, ho ;-)