Introduction

The holidays are a time for warmth, joy, and togetherness, and what better way to celebrate than with a flavorful beverage that suits everyone? Spiced Holiday Punch is a festive treat that combines a symphony of warming spices, citrusy brightness, and the option to add a spirited kick or keep it nonalcoholic. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family gathering, an elegant holiday party, or just enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, this punch offers something for every palate.

What makes this recipe stand out is its ability to cater to diverse preferences without compromising on flavor. By creating a rich, aromatic punch base, you can easily prepare both spirited and nonalcoholic versions, ensuring that everyone has a delicious drink in hand. With ingredients like lemons, warming spices, and a hint of tea, this punch strikes a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and spicy. The inclusion of soda water and sparkling wine in the variations adds a delightful fizz, elevating the experience with every sip.

In this recipe, we’ll guide you through making the punch base and show you how to customize it for alcoholic and nonalcoholic versions. Along the way, you’ll discover tips for storage, garnishing, and even a thoughtful note about bitters for those avoiding alcohol entirely. This Spiced Holiday Punch is sure to become a favorite tradition, bringing warmth and cheer to your celebrations.

Ingredients

Spiced Holiday Punch Base:

  • 6 to 8 lemons
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 4 whole allspice berries
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 2 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 2 teaspoons loose-leaf oolong, black, or green tea leaves
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice

Spirited Spiced Holiday Punch:

  • Ice
  • 1 ounce Spiced Holiday Punch Base
  • 1 ounce spirit (bourbon, rye, Cognac, or gin)
  • 3 to 4 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 ounce club soda, chilled
  • 2 ounces dry sparkling wine, chilled
  • Lemon or orange wheels or a cinnamon stick (for garnish)

Nonalcoholic Spiced Holiday Punch:

  • Ice
  • 1 ounce Spiced Holiday Punch Base
  • 3 to 4 dashes Angostura bitters (optional, see Tip)
  • 2 ounces soda water, chilled
  • 2 ounces dry tonic water, chilled
  • Lemon or orange wheels or a cinnamon stick (for garnish)

Instructions

1 : Make the Punch Base

  1. Using a vegetable peeler, peel 4 lemons and place the peels in a medium bowl. Reserve the peeled lemons.
  2. Add the brown sugar and flaky sea salt to the peels. Use a muddler or the end of a rolling pin to work the sugar and salt into the peels until they start to turn slightly translucent, about 2 minutes.

2 : Toast the Spices

  1. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cloves, allspice berries, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and black peppercorns.
  2. Shake the pan often to toast the spices until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
  3. Add the toasted spices to the lemon peel mixture, along with the tea leaves. Muddle everything together for another minute, crushing the spices and tea leaves into the peel mixture. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 8 to 24 hours.

3 : Complete the Punch Base

  1. Add ¼ cup hot water to the citrus-spice mixture and stir gently to dissolve the sugar. Let it steep for 2 minutes.
  2. Juice the reserved lemons to yield about ¾ cup lemon juice. Add the fresh lemon and orange juices to the spice mixture.
  3. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean container, pressing on the solids to extract all the flavors. You should have about 1¼ cups of punch base.
  4. Store the punch base in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

4: Prepare the Spirited Spiced Holiday Punch

  1. Fill a lowball glass with ice.
  2. Add 1 ounce Spiced Holiday Punch Base, 1 ounce of your chosen spirit, and 3 to 4 dashes of Angostura bitters. Stir gently.
  3. Top with 1 ounce soda water and 2 ounces sparkling wine.
  4. Garnish with a citrus wheel, cinnamon stick, or both. Serve immediately.

5: Prepare the Nonalcoholic Spiced Holiday Punch

  1. Fill a lowball glass with ice.
  2. Add 1 ounce Spiced Holiday Punch Base and, if desired, 3 to 4 dashes of Angostura bitters.
  3. Top with 2 ounces soda water and 2 ounces tonic water.
  4. Garnish with a citrus wheel, cinnamon stick, or both. Serve immediately.

Tips and Tricks

  • Storage: The punch base can be made up to a month ahead, making it perfect for holiday prep. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Bitters: Most bitters contain a small amount of alcohol. If serving someone who avoids alcohol, omit the bitters.
  • Customization: Experiment with different spirits like vodka or tequila for a unique twist. For a richer flavor, substitute maple syrup for brown sugar in the punch base.
  • Garnishing Ideas: Add cranberries or pomegranate seeds for a festive look.

Call to Action

We hope you enjoy creating this Spiced Holiday Punch to brighten your celebrations. Let us know how it turned out in the comments below! Share your creative twists, and don’t forget to rate the recipe. Cheers to a joyous and flavorful holiday season!

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