Amaretto Cranberry Kiss Mocktail Punch – A Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drink for Eight

Adam

Amaretto Cranberry Kiss Mocktail Punch – A Non-Alcoholic Holiday Drink for Eight

There’s something magical about a holiday drink that sparkles with color and flavor. The Amaretto Cranberry Kiss Mocktail Punch is exactly that — a festive, ruby-red blend of cranberry juice, orange, almond essence, and sparkling fizz, served in a pitcher or punch bowl to share with family and friends. Inspired by the classic Amaretto Cranberry Kiss cocktail, this version keeps all the cozy sweetness and nutty aroma of the original but skips the alcohol entirely. Instead, it uses almond extract, orange juice, cranberry juice, and a touch of vanilla to mimic the smooth, aromatic flavor of amaretto liqueur — all while staying completely family-friendly. It’s light, fruity, elegant, and perfectly balanced between sweet, tart, and refreshing. Each sip delivers a burst of cranberry brightness followed by a smooth almond-vanilla finish that feels festive and comforting. This mocktail punch isn’t just delicious — it’s holiday magic in a glass. Whether you’re hosting Christmas brunch, Thanksgiving dinner, or a holiday cocktail night, this sparkling red beauty is sure to impress.

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make your Amaretto Cranberry Kiss Mocktail Punch for eight servings:

🍒 Main Ingredients

4 cups cranberry juice 100% juice for tart flavor or cranberry cocktail for sweetness
2 cups orange juice freshly squeezed preferred
2 cups sparkling water or ginger ale for bubbly texture

🍯 Flavor Enhancers

2 teaspoons almond extract for that signature “amaretto” flavor
1 teaspoon vanilla extract adds warmth and balance
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup optional, to taste

🍋 Optional Citrus Boost

Juice of 1 lemon optional, for brightness

❄️ Chill Factor

Ice cubes enough for the pitcher or punch bowl

🍊 Garnish

Fresh cranberries
Orange slices or twists
Rosemary sprigs optional, for aroma and presentation
This combination of fruit juice sparkling fizz, and almond essence creates a mocktail that’s luxurious yet incredibly easy to make.

Equipment

To make your Amaretto Cranberry Kiss Mocktail Punch, you’ll need:
Large pitcher or punch bowl (serves 8)
Long stirring spoon or ladle
Measuring cups and spoons
Citrus juicer (for fresh orange juice)
Ice bucket or ice cubes
Serving glasses (highball or punch cups)
Optional: A festive garnish tray with orange slices, cranberries, and rosemary sprigs.

Method

Follow these simple steps to create your festive Amaretto Cranberry Kiss Mocktail Punch:

Step 1: Mix the Base

In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, orange juice, and sparkling water (or ginger ale).
Stir gently to blend.

Step 2: Add the Flavor

Stir in almond extract, vanilla extract, and honey or maple syrup (if desired).
Taste and adjust sweetness to your liking — remember, the sparkling water balances the tart cranberry beautifully.

Step 3: Add Ice and Garnish

Add ice cubes directly into the pitcher or bowl, or serve the punch over ice in individual glasses.
Float orange slices, cranberries, and a few rosemary sprigs on top for a festive look.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle into glasses and garnish each with a fresh cranberry or orange twist.
Serve immediately while bubbly and chilled.
Every sip of this mocktail punch delivers a symphony of flavor — the tangy cranberry, sweet orange, and nutty almond combine into a smooth, holiday-perfect drink that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Storage

Store any leftover punch (without ice) in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

The flavors will blend beautifully overnight, but carbonation will fade — refresh with more sparkling water before serving again.

Make-Ahead

Mix the base (cranberry, orange, almond, and vanilla) ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Add sparkling water and ice just before serving for maximum fizz and freshness.

🥄 Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are 10 creative variations of your Amaretto Cranberry Kiss Mocktail Punch:

Cranberry Apple Kiss: Replace half the cranberry juice with apple cider for a cozy fall twist.

Maple Almond Kiss: Use maple syrup as your sweetener and a touch more almond extract for deeper warmth.

Spiced Christmas Punch: Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves for a mulled flavor.

Coconut Cranberry Kiss: Add 1/2 cup coconut milk for a creamy, tropical edge.

Cran-Orange Sparkler: Top with sparkling apple cider for a more festive fizz.

Rosemary Citrus Punch: Muddle a few rosemary sprigs before mixing for herbal aroma.

Pomegranate Kiss: Replace half the cranberry juice with pomegranate juice for deeper color and tang.

Ginger Almond Fizz: Use ginger beer instead of ginger ale for a spicy punch.

White Cranberry Kiss: Use white cranberry juice for a lighter, elegant look.

Frozen Holiday Slush: Blend the juice mixture with ice cubes for a fun, frozen version.

Each variation offers a new flavor profile while keeping the same elegant cranberry-almond essence that defines this festive drink.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What does amaretto taste like?
Amaretto has a sweet, nutty almond flavor — which we recreate here using pure almond extract and vanilla.

2. Can I make this punch sugar-free?
Yes! Use unsweetened juices and skip honey or maple syrup. The natural fruit sweetness is plenty.

3. Can I make it sparkling and still serve it in a punch bowl?
Absolutely. Add the sparkling ingredient right before serving to preserve the bubbles.

4. Can kids drink this?
Yes — it’s 100% non-alcoholic and safe for all ages.

5. Can I use bottled orange juice?
Yes, though fresh orange juice gives a brighter flavor.

6. How can I make it more tart?
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to balance the sweetness.

7. How do I make it more festive for Christmas?
Add cinnamon sticks and garnish with cranberries and rosemary for a snowy, holiday look.

8. Can I use almond syrup instead of extract?
Yes! 1 tablespoon of almond syrup can replace the extract and sweetener.

9. What can I serve this with?
It pairs perfectly with roast turkey, glazed ham, cranberry sauce, or desserts like gingerbread and pecan pie.

10. Can I make a smaller batch?
Of course. Simply divide the recipe by half or quarter to make individual servings.

🏁 Conclusion

The Amaretto Cranberry Kiss Mocktail Punch is the perfect drink for holiday gatherings — festive, family-friendly, and absolutely stunning in a glass. 🎄✨

With its vibrant crimson color, sparkling bubbles, and smooth almond-citrus flavor, it captures everything we love about the season: warmth, joy, and togetherness. Each sip is sweet, tart, and perfectly balanced, making it a wonderful alternative to wine, cocktails, or even punch loaded with sugar.

Serve it at Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas brunch, or New Year’s Eve celebrations, and watch it disappear as fast as you can ladle it out. It’s more than just a drink — it’s a celebration in every glass.

So grab your pitcher, pour in that cranberry sparkle, and share the love — because this Amaretto Cranberry Kiss Mocktail Punch is the perfect way to toast the season, no spirits required.