As the holidays approach, I wanted to feature a cocktail for the November Thirsty Thursday that feels festive without being overpowering. Most of the drinks I share tend to be spirit-forward and on the stronger side — that’s my preference when I aim for balanced, not-too-sweet cocktails. For holiday gatherings, though, I prefer something lighter so guests can enjoy a festive drink without getting too tipsy before dinner.
This punch is easy to adapt for a non-alcoholic version: simply replace the sparkling wine with sparkling water. A quality ginger ale also works well if you want a bit more sweetness and spice without alcohol.
Pomegranate Pear Punch
Prep time: 5 minutes · Serves: 6–10
4 cups (32 ounces) pomegranate juice
2 cups (16 ounces) pear juice
1 bottle dry sparkling wine (or sparkling water for a virgin version)
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 mandarin, thinly sliced
Small handful fresh cranberries, halved
1–2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds for garnish (optional)
- In a punch bowl or a large glass bowl, combine the pomegranate and pear juices and stir to blend.
- Slowly pour in the sparkling wine (or sparkling water) and give the mix a gentle stir to preserve the bubbles.
- Add the sliced lemon, mandarin, and cranberries as garnish. Serve the punch over ice. If you add ice to the bowl, consider using a larger ice block to minimize dilution.
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