Break out the bubbly and let’s make Champagne Punch! Fun, fizzy, and sparkling like the glittery ball that drops in Times Square, this champagne punch for a crowd is easy to make and a festive addition to your New Year’s Eve celebration.
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Why You’ll Love This Classic Champagne Punch Recipe
- It’s Ready to Party! This champagne punch is light, easy to drink, and refreshing, making it the ideal party companion. It looks beautiful and always pleases a crowd. Note that celebrations from the couch in sweatpants are also festive and absolutely deserve a batch of champagne punch (or Christmas Punch) too!
- It’s Incredibly Easy. Despite looking festive and elegant, this punch is supremely simple to prepare (just like Rum Punch). It’s the perfect way to impress your guests without requiring you to put forth large amounts of effort. Plus, most of it can be prepped ahead of time, making party prep a breeze.
- No Special Equipment Required. You do not need a punch bowl to make this recipe. Because the punch calls for two full bottles of champagne, it’s easy to divide the recipe in half (or make the full recipe and simply use a different large serving bowl or pitcher). Conveniently, a half batch fits easily into a more standard pitcher like this one.
5 Star Review
“I’ve been making this every year for our holiday parties. It’s always such a hit that I’ve had to double it the last few years!”
— Kristen —
How to Make the Best Champagne Punch
The Ingredients
- Champagne or any sparkling wine labeled BRUT, which is the driest variety. Confusingly enough, sparkling wines labeled “dry” and even “extra dry” are not as dry as you want or need for this recipe.
- Grand Marnier. A delicious orange liqueur that adds subtle sweetness and a lovely citrus flavor. Triple Sec works in a pinch, but it’s simply not as good (hence the lower price tag). If you can swing Grand Marnier, you’ll love it in this punch and for many cocktails to come.
- Vodka. I opted to make this champagne punch with vodka because its neutral flavor allows the other ingredients to shine. Also, vodka generally is liked (or at least tolerated) on the whole, so if you’re serving a crowd, chances are most of your guests will enjoy it.
- Pomegranate Juice. Fruity, not too sweet, and festive!
- Ginger Ale. Ginger ale is my fave in big-batch cocktail recipes like sangria punch. Its mild spice cuts the sweetness of the fruit and makes this drink extra fizzy. You won’t taste it on its own, but it will help make the punch more balanced.
- Citrus Slices. Lemon and orange slices are gorgeous, play up the flavor of the Grand Marnier, and ensure that this punch is not overly sweet (my biggest punch complaint).
- Fresh Raspberries. These, along with pomegranate seeds I sprinkled in as a nod to the pomegranate juice, make this a total looker. If you like, you can swap frozen raspberries for the fresh. Fresh fruit also makes my White Sangria Recipe look and taste super refreshing!
The Directions
- Mix. Stir the vodka, Grand Marnier, and pomegranate juice together, then pop them into the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Add the Bubbles. Champagne and ginger ale join the party. You want to do this just before serving so that they stay nice and bubbly.
- Serve. Garnish and enjoy!
More Ways to Enjoy Champagne Punch
- Champagne Punch with Sherbet. For a dessert twist, try this delicious Raspberry Champagne Float recipe.
- Strawberry Champagne Punch. Swap the raspberries for sliced strawberries.
- Summer Champagne Punch. Omit the oranges. Add a pint of fresh blueberries and sliced strawberries.
- Fall Champagne Punch. Omit the lemons and raspberries. Swap the ginger ale for apple cider.
- Non-Alcoholic Champagne Punch. Replace the champagne with lemon-lime soda or additional ginger ale. Omit the Grand Marnier and vodka. Add a splash of orange juice.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Choose the Right Champagne. Think “Brutally Dry” when you see “Brut.” That’s how I always remember and avoid the temptation of bottles labeled “extra dry.”
- Use a Large Bowl. Whether you’re using a punch bowl or not, make sure the bowl you select is large enough to handle the drink (plus a little extra room).
- Chill Without Diluting. When it comes to ice cubes, bigger is better! Smaller ice cubes will melt faster, diluting the punch. You could also use frozen fruit to chill the punch.
Champagne Punch
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 14 servings
Easy Champagne Punch for a crowd! With vodka, pomegranate or cranberry juice, and strawberry or raspberry, this festive drink is perfect for celebrations.
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Ingredients
- ½ cup Grand Marnier
- 1 cup vodka
- 2 cups pomegranate juice
- 4 cups ginger ale chilled (diet or regular)
- 2 bottles (750ml each) brut Champagne or dry sparkling wine chilled
- 1 large orange thinly sliced, plus additional slices for garnish
- 1 large lemon thinly sliced, plus additional slices for garnish
- 1 pint raspberries plus additional for garnish
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish
- Mint leaves optional for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl or pitcher, stir together the Grand Marnier, vodka, and pomegranate juice. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or overnight. (You can do this in the bowl or pitcher you plan to serve the punch in if it can fit in your refrigerator).
- Shortly before serving, slowly pour the pomegranate mixture into a serving pitcher or bowl (if it isn’t in there already). Add the ginger ale and champagne. Stir gently to combine. Top with orange slices, lemon slices, and raspberries. Serve cold, garnished with additional fruit and mint.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 14), about 8 ouncesCalories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.05gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gPotassium: 143mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.4mg
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Can I substitute the grand marnier with cointreau?
Yes, definitely Katherine!
Who wouldn’t want to ring in the new year with a punch like this!?
Thanks, Gaby!
I want to make this with an ice mold in it so it will stay cold. What would you suggest to freeze? Maybe some extra pomegranate juice?
Melanie, I think that would be delicious! You could try floating some frozen berries in it too.
Should I use just any regular ginger ale? Or like real ginger ale in glass bottles, like used in Moscow miles? Would that ginger ale be too spicy? Do I need the sweetness of a regular mainstream Canada Dry liter ginger ale?
Vida, you can use regular ginger ale soda (vs. ginger beer). Ginger beer would be too strong. I hope you love the recipe!
Have made this several times now and had to leave a review because it’s always a huge hit! I use gran gala and real ginger beer with Tito’s and brut barefoot (very inexpensive!) and it’s amazing!
So glad you did Julie! Thank you so much for this kind review!
Hi Erin! Can you sub cranberry juice for the pomegrante juice??
Hi Jessica, you should make sure to use a 100% cranberry juice that isn’t completely unsweetened (so something like Ocean Spray). It will be slightly sweeter than pomegranate but should still be tasty!
Erin, I made this yesterday and it was FABULOUS!!!
HOORAY! I’m glad it was a hit, Jessica.
Made this for our New Year’s Eve party, it was a huge hit. Thanks!
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Lisa! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe!
Hi! Did you use non-flavored vodka? Or suggest a specific flavor? Don’t want it too sweet, but love a good flavored vodka! :)
Jenna, I use unflavored here! You might try a light citrus flavor though. I think orange could be nice. If you try it, I’d love to hear what you think!
Absolut Manadrin for the win! ??????
Can I make this up ahead of time and serve in a pitcher?
Hi Maryanne! I think you could stir everything but the champagne together in a pitcher a couple of hours beforehand. Then, you could add the champagne just before serving. I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it!
Can’t wait to try this! Was your pomegranate juice unsweetened?
It was unsweetened. I hope you enjoy the recipe, Hannah!
Will the champagne stay bubbly over the course of a few hours? I don’t want it to go flat over the course of the party
Hi Sophia! Typically you will lose the fizz after about two hours. I would recommend adding the champagne right before serving. Hope this helps!
This is the first time I felt compelled to write a review. I made this for a New Years Eve party. It was so good! Not at all super sweet. The flavors were bright and it was a huge hit! I did substitute triple sec for Grand Marnier.
Hi Tracey! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hi! I’m so excited to try this out for my family’s Christmas party. Can I serve in a large glass drink dispenser?
Hi Ashley! I would assume that could, but I’ve only used a punch bowl before. If you try it out, let me know how it goes!
I’ve been making this every year for our holiday parties. It’s always such a hit that I’ve had to double it the last few years! I will be making it tonight for our New Year’s Eve celebration.
Hi Kristen! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I have been making this for our annual New Year’s Eve party for a few years now. It is always a hit! I used to have other batched cocktails but no need with this, it’s a real crowd pleaser, so much so that I make sure I’ve got enough for 2 batches.
I’m so pleased to hear this Vicky, thank you!
Looks really nice but do you have suggestions on what to substitute for the alcohol?
Hi Kate, yes it’s under the section “More Ways to Enjoy Champagne Punch”. Hope this helps! ENJOY!
Omg Erin this is amazing!!! I have never made a punch before and I made this for my bookclub ladies. 8 women literally drank the entire punch! They all kept raving how good it was! This will become a staple at our holiday get together. Note to self, don’t drink so much next time because this will get you lol. I only used pomegranate juice and it was seriously the best punch I’ve ever had! It’s like Kool-Aid for adults hahaha!
So great to hear! Thank you Nikki!