The Best Christmas Rum Punch Cocktail Recipe

Looking for the perfect Christmas punch cocktail to make your holiday gathering extra special? Our Red Nose Punch is a festive and refreshing holiday rum punch that's guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. With a delicious blend of rum, festive spices, and a touch of sweetness, this rum punch is the ultimate holiday cocktail. This recipe was created by Jared from Pardo's in Mandeville for our 2023 Holiday Cocktail Competition.

What is a Christmas Punch?

A Christmas punch cocktail is a festive mixed drink, often served in a large punch bowl, designed to be easily made in batches for holiday parties. Typically, it features seasonal ingredients like cranberry, cinnamon, and ginger, and is often made with a base of rum or other festive spirits. The best holiday rum punch recipes balance strong and sweet flavors for a refreshing and memorable drink.

Red Nose Punch: A Festive Holiday Rum Punch

If Rudolph could drink, he'd take one of these! The Red Nose Punch is a light, refreshing, and full of festive flavor, making it an excellent choice for any holiday party.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Flor de Cana White Rum
• 0.5 oz Goslings Bermuda Black Rum
• 1.5 oz El Guapo™ Cajun Grenadine
• 0.25 oz El Guapo™ Candy Cane Syrup
• 6 dashes El Guapo™ Spiced Cocoa Bitters
• 6 dashes El Guapo™ Holiday Pie Bitters

Instructions

• In a mixing vessel, combine all the ingredients.
• Stir with ice until well-chilled.
• Strain the mixture into a Collins glass over fresh ice.
• Top with soda water.

Festive Garnishes

To complete your Christmas rum punch cocktail, add a strawberry stuffed with a miniature candy cane and a rosemary sprig for a festive look and aroma.

Tips & Tricks for Your Christmas Punch

• Scaling the Recipe: To turn this single-serving holiday rum punch into a batch recipe for a party, simply multiply the ingredients by the number of guests.
• Serving: Instead of serving individual glasses, prepare a large batch and pour it into a festive punch bowl. Garnish the bowl itself with orange slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: To make a festive mocktail, simply omit the rum and use a combination of cranberry juice and sparkling water to maintain a similar flavor profile.
• Make it Ahead: You can mix the rum, syrups, and bitters a few hours ahead of time and store the mixture in the refrigerator. Just before serving, pour it into the punch bowl, add ice and the soda water.

Looking for more cocktail inspiration? Explore our complete collection of recipes and discover your next favorite drink. Have a question? Contact us for assistance, or visit El Guapo’s homepage to explore everything we offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best rum for a Christmas punch?

For a balanced holiday rum punch, a combination of a light and a dark rum works best. A light rum provides a clean spirit base while a dark rum adds depth, warmth, and notes of caramel and spice, which complement holiday flavors.

How can I make my holiday punch ahead of time?

You can prepare the base of your Christmas punch cocktail ahead of time by combining all the spirits, syrups, and bitters. Store this mixture in the fridge. Just before serving, pour it into a punch bowl, add ice, and top with any carbonated mixers like soda water. This prevents the punch from becoming watery or losing its fizz.

What are some festive garnishes for a holiday cocktail?

Beyond the suggested strawberry and rosemary, other great garnishes for a festive holiday rum punch include cinnamon sticks, star anise, fresh cranberries, orange slices, or a sugar rim on the glasses.