Amazing 18-serving champagne punch

Hi, I’m Carla Davis, the home cook and creator behind Carla’s Cooking. I am so thrilled you clicked on this recipe because I’m about to share what might be the single greatest secret weapon for any party host: the ultimate champagne punch! Seriously, if you’re looking for an Easy Festive Champagne Punch for Crowds that looks incredibly elegant but tastes like you spent hours fussing over it, you’ve found it.

This combination of cranberry and citrus is vibrant, refreshing, and it’s always a huge hit whether we’re ringing in New Year’s Eve or hosting a Christmas brunch. I’ve actually tested this exact recipe through three different holiday seasons with my family, tweaking the juice blend until everyone agreed it was perfect before I dared to share it. If you love making fun drinks for gatherings, you might also want to check out all my other amazing drinks and beverages here on the site!

If you need a signature drink that you can mostly prepare ahead of time so you can actually enjoy your own party? This is it. You checked the right place, and I promise this bubbly cocktail won’t let you down.

Why This Festive champagne punch is Your New Go-To Celebration Drink

I absolutely get it. When you’re hosting, the last thing you want is to be stuck behind the bar mixing single drinks all night long. That’s why I engineered this champagne punch to tick every single box a busy host needs checked off. It’s truly magic for when you need Easy Party Cocktails that don’t sacrifice flair.

When I designed this, I focused on maximum impact with minimal last-minute fuss. Here’s why it beats every other drink recipe in my entertaining book:

• It’s a fantastic Make Ahead Crowd Punch—the base chills perfectly!
• It scales beautifully, ensuring everyone gets a glass without running out of mix too soon.
• The gorgeous pink hue and fresh fruit garnishes give you an instant look of elegance.
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• It’s incredibly versatile; I even have a little note on how to make it a Vodka Champagne Punch if you want a bit more kick.

You can whip up the entire juice base hours before people even arrive. Trust me, having that ready to go means you can focus on the appetizers (or just relax!) when the doorbell starts ringing. If you need another great recipe to keep things cool and festive, check out my secrets for easy frozen strawberry daiquiris—they use similar fruit fresh fruit vibes!

Essential Ingredients for the Ultimate champagne punch

Okay, let’s talk about what you need, because even the easiest champagne punch relies on quality ingredients to shine! This isn’t the time for lackluster juices, folks. Since the base is mostly juice, we want the best flavor possible. I’ve made this batch to serve about eighteen people, which is perfect for a decent-sized crew!

Here is the essential shopping list. Remember, everything needs to be chilling in the fridge for hours before the party starts. Seriously, I can’t stress chilling enough—it’s step zero in my book.

• Two big 2-liter bottles of cranberry juice, chilled until icy cold.
• One full liter of orange juice, also super cold.
• One cup of fresh lime juice. I really insist on fresh here; the bottled stuff just tastes a little flat in something this bright.
• One cup of good quality vodka, if you’re looking to spice things up. This is where we turn it into a Vodka Champagne Punch, but you can totally skip it!
• Two standard 750 ml bottles of dry Champagne or sparkling wine. Make sure it’s dry—we have plenty of sweetness coming from the juices!
• One liter of lemon-lime soda, kept cold until the very last second.
• For the wow factor: one cup of sliced fresh strawberries, about one orange sliced thin, and one cup of fresh cranberries for color.

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Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for your champagne punch

Since we are working with a simple formula, every choice matters! If you can’t get Champagne, Prosecco is a great, slightly sweeter alternative, though it will change the final flavor profile slightly. If you are throwing a huge party and need a fantastic Non Alcoholic Punch Options, just skip the vodka AND the Champagne. Substitute that Champagne with two liters of sparkling white grape juice instead. It keeps the festive bubbles but makes it zero-proof!

Also, if you’re out of fresh lime juice? You can generally substitute it 1:1 with fresh lemon juice. But honestly, lime just works better with the cranberry. Don’t forget that chilling everything beforehand is non-negotiable. I find that keeping the fruit garnishes in the fridge right until I make the ice ring saves them from looking sad and mushy when they hit the punch bowl. Before you even think about mixing, make sure those juices are fridge-cold. It just tastes better!

If you’re looking for more great recipes using pantry staples, you have to try my recipe for best homemade white pizza—it’s the ultimate comfort food!

How to Prepare the Perfect champagne punch Step-by-Step

This is where the simplicity truly shines through! Even though this champagne punch has so much flavor, the mixing process is barely 15 minutes, which is amazing for a drink that serves eighteen people. The main thing you need to remember here is timing: we mix the base first, and we add the bubbles last. Do not mess with that order, or you’ll end up with flat, sad punch!

I learned this the hard way once when I was prepping for a huge New Year’s Eve party. I mixed absolutely everything, including the Champagne, the night before because I was so excited. Yikes! By midnight, it was just sad, slightly alcoholic juice. Lesson learned: keep the fizz separate!

1. First things first: Grab your biggest, prettiest punch bowl. Pour in all that lovely chilled cranberry juice, orange juice, fresh lime juice, and if you decided to use it, the vodka. Mix this all up well with a long spoon. This is your flavor core.
2. Now, this is crucial: Cover that bowl—plastic wrap works great—and shove it into the fridge. We need that base mixture to chill for at least two hours. Honestly, four hours is better if you can manage it. This is the “make ahead” magic!
3. When your guests are about twenty minutes away, pull the bowl out. Gently stir in the lemon-lime soda. It should start to fizz right up!
4. Now, take your bottles of chilled Champagne. Pour them in slowly, pouring against the side of the bowl or a large spoon so you don’t completely deflate all those wonderful bubbles. Give it one or two *very* gentle stirs.
5. Ladle it out and enjoy! I like to start spooning the fruit garnishes right in as I serve it.

Tips for Presentation: Making Your champagne punch Elegant Celebration Drinks

Presentation is seriously half the fun with any good punch! Since you’ve got this gorgeous pink color going on, we want to lean into those beautiful tones. This is what turns a simple mixer into truly Elegant Celebration Drinks.

When it comes to garnishes, use those beautiful Fresh Fruit Punch Ideas listed! I always place the sliced strawberries and orange slices along the rim of the bowl first, letting them hang a little over the edge. Then, I drop in the fresh cranberries—they look like little jewels floating around.

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Now, about keeping it cold without watering it down: You absolutely have to use a large ice mold. My favorite trick is freezing some of the extra cranberry and orange juice blend in a bundt pan overnight. When it freezes, you have this giant, beautiful, colorful ice ring that slowly melts. Drop that ring into the punch bowl right before you add the Champagne. It keeps everything perfectly chilled for hours and it looks absolutely show-stopping!

If you are looking for something else delicious to serve alongside your beautiful punch, you should definitely try my recipe for lemon chicken soup—it feels fancy but it’s surprisingly easy!

Serving Suggestions for this Bubbly Holiday Cocktail

So, you’ve made your beautiful, bubbly centerpiece! Now what do you serve alongside this amazing Bubbly Holiday Cocktail? Because our champagne punch has that tart cranberry-citrus profile, you want snacks that are refreshing but still satisfying.

For brunch parties, I always go for light, creamy dips or fruity things. It cuts through the tartness perfectly! My guests rave about how well this pairs with my grape salad—it’s sweet, creamy, and totally different from the drink. If you’re serving it closer to the holidays, small, savory bites like mini quiches or prosciutto-wrapped melon skewers are just wonderful. You want things that don’t overpower that lovely sparkle!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover champagne punch

I truly hope you don’t have much left, because this champagne punch disappears fast! But, if you do find yourself with leftovers—especially if you made a big batch for your Holiday Punch Ideas—here’s my secret for saving it.

Never store the leftover punch with the soda or Champagne mixed in! That beautiful fizz will be completely gone by morning. Instead, use one or two separate airtight containers to store the juice and optional vodka base you made in Step 1. Keep that base chilled. The fruit can stay right in the punch bowl, covered tightly.

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When you want to enjoy the leftovers the next day, just pour a serving of the cold juice base into a glass, top it off with a splash of fresh lemon-lime soda or even just some club soda, and you’re good to go. It tastes almost brand new! Storing the base separately makes reheating (or refreshing, really!) a breeze. If you love easy make-ahead treats, you have to check out my sour cream coffee cake recipe next!

Frequently Asked Questions about Making champagne punch

I get so many comments and emails after parties about this very drink! Hosting is all about feeling prepared, so I thought I’d tackle some of the most common things people ask me about creating the perfect batch of champagne punch. If you’re planning a big brunch or just need some tips for making these Sparkling Punch Recipes work seamlessly, scroll through here!

Can I make this entire champagne punch recipe ahead of time?

This is my favorite kind of question! You absolutely can make the juice and optional vodka base up to a full 24 hours ahead of time. Keep it covered tight in the fridge. However—and listen closely—you must wait until about 15 minutes before serving to add the lemon-lime soda and the Champagne. If you add those bubbly elements early, they will go completely flat before your first guest even arrives. Trust me, that’s the secret to keeping your Brunch Punch Cocktails tasting fresh!

What’s the best non-alcoholic substitute for Champagne in this punch?

If you need to make this zero-proof—maybe for a crowd with lots of pregnant guests or kids—we have a super simple swap! Ditch the vodka, of course. Instead of Champagne, treat yourself to a non-alcoholic sparkling cider or, even better, sparkling white grape juice. The white grape juice keeps that lovely dry, almost wine-like quality to the flavor, and it keeps the bubbles nice and active. It’s a wonderful way to make a beautiful Non Alcoholic Punch Options.

How far in advance can I cut up the fresh fruit?

The fruit is so pretty, but it can get weird if you cut it too early! For the best look, slice your strawberries and oranges the morning of the party—no more than 4 to 6 hours ahead. Keep them covered in their own tiny container in the fridge. If you cut them a day ahead, they start to weep juice and turn a little soggy or brown around the edges, and we want brightness! Drop them in the punch bowl right as you add the bubbly ingredients, or even better, pour some in the ice ring!

If I double the recipe, should I double the Champagne exactly?

When we scale up champagne punch recipes, we have to be careful not to over-carbonate or create too much foam. For doubling, I usually multiply the non-bubbly ingredients (juices, vodka) by two, but I only increase the Champagne by about 1.5 times. So if the recipe calls for two bottles, I’ll use three bottles when doubling. This leaves a little more room for the soda and the ice ring to keep things cool without losing all the beautiful fizz. Always taste and adjust the sweetness right before serving, even when scaling!

If you’re looking for some amazing desserts to serve alongside your fizzy drink selection, I have a truly marvelous moist cinnamon swirl apple bread that makes any gathering feel cozy!

Scaling Your champagne punch Recipe for Large Crowds

When I first started hosting big holiday parties, I used to panic about scaling up this champagne punch. You don’t just want to triple everything willy-nilly, because you risk making it too sweet or, heaven forbid, losing the sparkle! Since this is the ultimate Make Ahead Crowd Punch, planning ahead makes all the difference for a big bash.

Here’s my golden rule when calculating for a large group, say, thirty people instead of eighteen: Multiply all your juices—the cranberry, orange, and lime—by the exact factor you need. If you’re doubling the recipe, double those juices, vodka, and the soda. But hold on to your bubbles!

For the sparkling wine, I only increase it by about 1.5 times when doubling. If the original needs two bottles, I’ll use three when I double the entire batch. This keeps the ratio perfect because too much Champagne added to a giant base can sometimes just lead to foam overflow, and we want delicious sipping, not a sticky mess!

If you’re looking for a savory treat that pairs perfectly with this fruity punch, you have to try my recipe for easy crispy homemade cheese crackers. They disappear just as fast as the punch does!

Nutritional Information Estimate for this Fruity Champagne Drink

Now, I always want to be upfront with you all about what goes into the delicious things we make! While I’m focused on flavor and fun here at Carla’s Cooking, not exactly my grandmother’s kitchen scale, I did pull together some estimates for you based on the ingredients in this big batch of champagne punch.

Remember, these numbers are just estimates for the recipe using the stated ingredients, and they leave out the optional vodka since everyone’s pour is a little different. If you are counting specific things, you’ll want to adjust based on your favorite brand of sparkling wine or juice choices. But for a glass of this gorgeous, Fruity Champagne Drink, here is the general breakdown per one-cup serving:

• Serving Size: About 1 cup
• Calories: Roughly 180
• Sugar: Around 25 grams (This comes mostly from the fruit juices, which is why I always encourage adding that ice ring!)
• Fat: 0 grams
• Protein: 0 grams

It’s quite light in terms of fat and protein, which is what you expect from a juice and bubbly cocktail! If you are looking for another great side dish that complements the sweet and tart notes of this punch without adding too much heaviness, you have to try my technique for crispy oven-roasted sweet potatoes. They are a total crowd-pleaser!

Share Your Festive champagne punch Creations

Oh, I just love seeing your creations! I work so hard in my kitchen to make sure these recipes translate perfectly into yours, and nothing makes me happier than seeing a gorgeous punch bowl set up for a celebration.

Once you make this incredible champagne punch—whether it’s for a big Christmas bash or just a casual Sunday brunch—please do me a favor! Come back here and leave a star rating at the bottom of the post. It helps other busy hosts find this recipe quickly, and honestly, I read every single one!

And if you posted a picture on Instagram or Facebook, tag me! I love seeing how you styled your garnishes and what lovely occasion you were celebrating. It’s like having you all over for a virtual party! I actually found some great ideas for wow-factor punch bowls from other great cooks, like this recommendation on a fantastic easy champagne punch recipe for a crowd.

If you want to stick around and explore even more ideas for your next get-together, you can always browse my full collection of recipes over on my main blog page. Happy hosting, friends!

Easy Festive Champagne Punch for Crowds

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Welcome to My Kitchen! This easy champagne punch recipe combines cranberry, citrus, and sparkling wine, making it a perfect, refreshing drink for New Year’s Eve, Christmas parties, or brunch gatherings. You can easily serve a crowd with this make-ahead crowd punch.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 0 min
• Total Time: 15 min
• Yield: 18 servings 1x
• Category: Cocktail
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 2 liters cranberry juice, chilled
• 1 liter orange juice, chilled
• 1 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 cup vodka (optional, for Vodka Champagne Punch)
• 2 bottles (750 ml each) dry Champagne or sparkling wine, chilled
• 1 bottle (1 liter) lemon-lime soda, chilled
• Garnish: 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
• Garnish: 1 orange, thinly sliced
• Garnish: 1 cup fresh cranberries

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Instructions

1. Prepare the base: In a large punch bowl, combine the chilled cranberry juice, orange juice, lime juice, and optional vodka. Stir well.
2. Chill the base: Cover the punch bowl and refrigerate the base mixture for at least 2 hours, or make it up to 24 hours ahead.
3. Add fizz just before serving: When ready to serve, gently stir in the chilled lemon-lime soda.
4. Add the Champagne: Slowly pour in the chilled Champagne or sparkling wine. Stir very gently to keep the bubbles.
5. Garnish: Add the sliced strawberries, orange slices, and fresh cranberries to the punch bowl. You can also add a large block of ice if needed to keep it cold.
6. Serve immediately: Ladle the punch into glasses.

Notes

• For a non-alcoholic punch option, simply omit the vodka.
• To keep the punch cold without diluting the flavor, freeze some of the cranberry or orange juice in a bundt pan to create a large ice ring.
• If you are making this for a holiday gathering, substitute some of the cranberry juice with sparkling white grape juice for a lighter color.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 25
• Sodium: 35
• Fat: 0
• Saturated Fat: 0
• Unsaturated Fat: 0
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 28
• Fiber: 0
• Protein: 0
• Cholesterol: 0