There’s something magical about a festive punch that captures the spirit of Christmas in every sip. This Candy Cane Christmas Punch brings together the refreshing coolness of peppermint with creamy vanilla and sparkling bubbles, creating a drink that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or looking for a special beverage to serve at Christmas dinner, this punch delivers both nostalgia and elegance in one gorgeous glass. The best part? This punch comes together in about 45 minutes and serves four people perfectly, making it ideal for intimate gatherings or as a special treat for your family. The candy cane garnish isn’t just for show—it slowly infuses each glass with extra peppermint flavor as you sip, creating a drink that evolves beautifully from the first taste to the last. It’s festive, it’s fun, and it’s guaranteed to become a new holiday tradition.
Why I Love These
This punch transforms simple ingredients into something that feels truly special and celebratory without requiring any fancy bartending skills.
The combination of creamy vanilla ice cream with crisp peppermint creates a flavor profile that’s both nostalgic and sophisticated, pleasing kids and adults alike.
I make this every Christmas Eve because it’s become our family’s signature holiday drink, and the candy cane stirrers double as a sweet treat after the punch is gone.
Ingredients
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whole milk
- Peppermint extract
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon-lime soda
- Crushed candy canes
- Whole candy canes for garnish
- Whipped cream
- Red food coloring (optional)
How To Make
- Begin by placing your vanilla ice cream on the counter to soften slightly for about 10 minutes—it should be soft enough to scoop easily but not completely melted. While waiting, chill your serving glasses or punch bowl in the freezer to keep the punch cold longer.
- In a blender, combine the softened vanilla ice cream, whole milk, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract. Blend on medium speed for 30-45 seconds until smooth and creamy with no ice cream chunks remaining. The mixture should have the consistency of a thick milkshake. If you’re adding red food coloring for a pink tint, add just 2-3 drops now and blend for another 10 seconds.
- Pour the blended mixture into a large pitcher or punch bowl. Slowly add the lemon-lime soda down the side of the container to minimize fizzing. Gently stir with a long spoon just 2-3 times to combine—over-stirring will flatten the carbonation that gives this punch its festive sparkle.
- Prepare your candy cane rim by crushing some candy canes in a sealed plastic bag with a rolling pin until you have fine pieces. Wet the rim of each glass with a little water or corn syrup, then dip into the crushed candy canes, rotating to coat evenly.
- Pour the punch into the prepared glasses, filling each about three-quarters full. Top each serving with a generous dollop of whipped cream, then sprinkle with additional crushed candy canes. Hook a whole candy cane on the rim of each glass as both garnish and stirrer.
- Serve immediately while the punch is still fizzy and cold. Instruct guests to use their candy cane to stir occasionally, which will gradually infuse more peppermint flavor into their drink as they enjoy it.
Nutrition
This Candy Cane Christmas Punch is a festive indulgence that’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat during the holiday season. Each serving provides calcium from the milk and ice cream, along with a significant amount of sugar from the candy canes and soda, making it a dessert-style beverage rather than an everyday drink. It’s perfect for celebrations where you want something special and memorable.
To lighten the punch slightly, you can use low-fat milk and reduced-fat ice cream, though this will affect the creamy texture somewhat. For a richer version, substitute heavy cream for half the milk or use premium French vanilla ice cream. The peppermint extract is calorie-free and provides all that wonderful flavor without adding sugar.
This recipe contains dairy, making it unsuitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. However, you can create a dairy-free version using coconut milk ice cream and almond or oat milk, which works surprisingly well. The candy canes are typically gluten-free, but always check labels if serving guests with celiac disease, as some brands may contain trace amounts.
Tips & Variations
- Make the ice cream base up to 2 hours ahead and keep it in the fridge, then add the soda just before serving to maintain maximum fizziness and prevent the punch from going flat.
- For an adult version, add 1-2 ounces of peppermint schnapps or vanilla vodka per serving, stirring it in gently after adding the soda for a boozy holiday cocktail.
- Create a chocolate peppermint version by using chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla and adding a drizzle of chocolate syrup to each glass before pouring the punch.
- Swap the lemon-lime soda for ginger ale or cream soda for different flavor profiles that still provide that essential sparkle and sweetness.
- For a vegan version, use coconut or cashew-based ice cream, plant-based milk, and ensure your candy canes don’t contain gelatin or bone char-processed sugar.
Ways To Serve Them
- Serve alongside Christmas cookies, gingerbread, or sugar cookies decorated with festive icing for a complete dessert spread
- Pair with savory holiday appetizers like cheese boards, stuffed mushrooms, or bacon-wrapped dates to balance the sweetness
- Offer as a dessert beverage after Christmas dinner instead of traditional coffee or tea for a playful twist
- Set up a punch bar where guests can customize their drinks with different toppings like chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows, or colored sprinkles
- Serve at Christmas morning brunch alongside pancakes, waffles, or French toast for a special breakfast treat
Proper Storage
- Fridge: This punch is best enjoyed immediately after preparation while it’s still carbonated and cold. If you must store leftovers, keep the ice cream base (without soda) in an airtight pitcher for up to 24 hours, then add fresh soda when ready to serve again. The texture will be slightly different but still enjoyable.
- Freezer: Freezing the complete punch isn’t recommended as the carbonation will be lost and the texture will separate. However, you can freeze the blended ice cream mixture in ice cube trays, then blend the cubes with fresh milk and soda when ready to serve for a slushy version.
- Reheat: This is a cold beverage and should never be reheated. If the punch becomes too cold and thick, let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes to reach the ideal sipping consistency, or add a splash of extra soda to thin it out.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberry juice.
- 2 cups pineapple juice.
- 2 cups ginger ale (or lemon-lime soda for extra fizz).
- 1/2 cup peppermint syrup (or candy cane-flavored syrup).
- 1 cup orange juice.
- 1/2 cup lime juice (freshly squeezed for the best flavor).
- 6-8 small candy canes (for garnish and extra peppermint flavor).
- Crushed ice (for serving).
- Fresh cranberries, orange slices, and mint (optional garnish).
- Optional: 1 cup vodka or white rum (for an adult version).
- Optional: peppermint sticks or candy canes to crush and rim the glasses.
Steps
- In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine the cranberry juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, and lime juice. Stir well to mix all the juices together.
- Stir in the peppermint syrup (or candy cane syrup) for a subtle minty freshness.
- Right before serving, pour in the ginger ale (or lemon-lime soda) for a fizzy, festive sparkle.
- Add crushed ice to each glass before serving. Garnish with candy canes hanging off the side of the glasses, and optionally add fresh cranberries, orange slices, and mint leaves to the punch bowl for color and flavor.
- For a festive presentation, crush candy canes and rim your glasses by dipping the rims in water or juice, then pressing them into crushed candy cane pieces.
- Serve cold and enjoy the holiday cheer!.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 120 kcal