Cranberry Citrus Paloma Punch

Cranberry Citrus Paloma Punch is a fresh large-batch holiday cocktail made with ripe grapefruit and citrus juices, cranberry, tequila and soda.

You’ll be the hit of all your holiday parties when you arrive with a big ‘ole punch bowl full of this light fizzy punch.

Big batch paloma punch

Inspired by both the Paloma cocktail and retro party punches this large batch cocktail is fresh, fruity, fizzy and delicious!

Traditionally Palomas, the most popular tequila-based cocktail in Mexico, are made with tequila and grapefruit soda. This winter punch version plays off the same combination of flavors but adds in fresh cranberry puree to give it even more flavor and color and make it perfect for winter parties when both citrus and cranberry are in season.

The tart cranberry, lime and grapefruit balance the sweetness from the fresh squeezed orange juice and grapefruit citrus soda for a light refreshing holiday punch.

Large batch cocktails like this punch are perfect for parties because they’re an excellent way to feature a fun themed beverage without playing bartender all night. Simply mix it all up ahead of time and let your guests serve themselves!

Ingredients

• Fresh cranberries – to make cranberry puree, or substitute 100% unsweetened cranberry juice. There’s always an open but barely used bag of cranberries in my fridge over the holidays and I love that this delicious punch makes good use of them in three ways. Whole cranberries in the ice, pureed cranberries in the punch and ground cranberries in the garnish.
• Grapefruit juice – fresh squeezed or unsweetened bottled juice
• Orange juice – fresh squeezed or purchased
• Lime juice – fresh squeezed
• Tequila – blanco preffered
• Squirt® – or other lemon lime soda
• Ice

Step by step instructions

Simply build this big batch cocktail directly in the punchbowl.

1. Prepare ingredients. Puree cranberries, squeeze grapefruit, orange and lime juices.
2. Add ice to punchbowl and top with pureed cranberry, grapefruit, lime, orange juices.
3. Add tequila, including more or less than the recipe calls for depending on your tastes and what sort of holiday soiree you’re throwing. I suggest anywhere from 1.5-3 cups tequila.
4. When ready to serve top with a 2 liter bottle of lemon lime soda.
5. Enjoy!

Cheers!

How to serve

To keep Cranberry Citrus Paloma Punch cold all night use large ice cubes. Throw some citrus and cranberries in and the punch will stay pretty and the fruit won’t clog up your guest’s glasses.

Use whatever you have to make big ice cubes – glass storage dishes, cupcake tins, etc. p.s cupcake tin ice cubes fit perfectly in traditional punch glasses.

Serving a crowd of drinkers and non drinkers? Punches are a perfect non alcoholic beverage option or mocktail, that you can also choose to turn into a cocktail if desired. If you’re serving a variety of people simply leave the tequila out for a non-boozy winter citrus punch. Then leave a bottle or two of tequila nearby for guests to spike their glasses.

For a complete diy bar include garnishes like citrus slices, cocktail straws and rim salt or sugar. It makes big batch cocktails feel more personalized and special.

How to make pink rimming salt

Playing on the traditional pairing of salt and tequila Sweet Cranberry Salt is a great accompaniment to the tart punch. Simply pulse a few fresh cranberries with sugar and salt until like wet send and place on a plate next to the punch bowl. Add lime zest and/or chili powder for even more flavor and an extra 2 liter of Squirt next to the punch bowl to freshen up Cranberry Citrus Paloma Punch as needed.

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