If you’re looking to add some festive cheer to your holiday gatherings, the Santa Snowball Punch Recipe is an absolute must-try! This delightful punch is vibrant, creamy, and bursting with flavor—a perfect balance of tart cranberries, sweet raspberries, fizzy soda, and the rich smoothness of vanilla ice cream. Every sip feels like a holiday celebration in a glass, making it an instant crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a family party or just want a refreshing treat to get in the spirit, this Santa Snowball Punch Recipe will quickly become your go-to festive favorite.

Santa Snowball Punch Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients for this punch is refreshingly simple, but each plays a crucial role in creating the perfect holiday drink. From the tangy cranberry nectar to the creamy vanilla ice cream, every component brings its own magic to the mix.

Cranberry nectar (32 oz): Provides that bright, tangy base that sets the festive tone with its lovely red hue.
Seedless red raspberry jam (12 oz): Adds natural sweetness and a luscious, slightly textured depth without any seeds to distract.
Lemon-lime soda (1.5 bottles, 2-liter each, chilled): Brings a bubbly, citrusy sparkle that perfectly balances the richness of the punch.
Vanilla ice cream (1.75 quarts): Gives the punch its creamy, dreamy texture that makes every sip feel indulgent and festive.

How to Make Santa Snowball Punch Recipe

Step 1: Combine Cranberry Nectar and Raspberry Jam

Start by pouring the cranberry nectar into a large punch bowl—this will be the vibrant foundation of your Santa Snowball Punch Recipe. Next, spoon in the seedless red raspberry jam, stirring gently but thoroughly so it dissolves into the nectar, blending sweetness and tartness in perfect harmony.

Step 2: Chill the Mixture

Once the nectar and jam are combined, it’s essential to chill the mixture for at least an hour in the refrigerator. This step melds the flavors beautifully and ensures the punch is icy-cold when ready to serve, delivering that refreshing holiday sensation.

Step 3: Add the Lemon-Lime Soda

Just before serving, pour in the chilled lemon-lime soda. The fizzy bubbles will lift the entire punch, adding a lively sparkle that balances the creamy and fruity notes. Stir gently to combine, taking care not to lose too much of the carbonation.

Step 4: Spoon in the Vanilla Ice Cream

Finally, crown your Santa Snowball Punch Recipe with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. It will melt slowly, creating a luscious, creamy swirl that makes this punch truly irresistible. Serve immediately for the best texture and taste experience.

How to Serve Santa Snowball Punch Recipe

Garnishes

To amp up the festive vibe, garnish your punch with fresh cranberries or sprigs of rosemary. These add a delightful aroma and a burst of color that perfectly complements the punch’s bright red shade, making each presentation feel special and inviting.

Side Dishes

This punch pairs wonderfully with light, savory treats—think mini sandwiches, cheese platters, or salted nuts. These sides help balance the sweetness of the punch and keep your guests happily mingling with a festive bite and sip.

Creative Ways to Present

For an unforgettable presentation, serve your Santa Snowball Punch Recipe in a clear glass punch bowl surrounded by festive ice cubes made with frozen cranberries or pomegranate seeds. You can even float cinnamon sticks on top for that extra holiday flair and aroma.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any punch left over, transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. Because of the ice cream component, it’s best consumed within 24 hours to enjoy the freshest flavors and creamy texture.

Freezing

While the punch itself isn’t ideal for freezing due to the soda’s carbonation and ice cream’s texture, you can freeze any leftover raspberry jam or cranberry nectar separately for future batches. This way, you’re always ready to whip up this festive treat.

Reheating

Since this punch is served cold, reheating isn’t recommended—the delightful contrast of cold creaminess and fizzy sparkle is what makes the Santa Snowball Punch Recipe so magical. Instead, make a fresh batch to keep that vibrant holiday spirit alive.

FAQs

Can I use regular cranberry juice instead of cranberry nectar?

Yes, you can substitute cranberry juice, but cranberry nectar is preferred because it’s a bit thicker and sweeter, contributing to the punch’s rich texture and balanced flavor.

Is it possible to make this punch alcohol-free?

Absolutely! The Santa Snowball Punch Recipe is naturally alcohol-free and perfect for all ages, making it a fantastic holiday beverage for everyone to enjoy.

Can I prepare the punch in advance?

You can prepare the cranberry nectar and raspberry jam mixture up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated, then add soda and ice cream just before serving to keep the fizz fresh and ice cream perfectly creamy.

What type of vanilla ice cream works best?

A classic, creamy vanilla ice cream like French vanilla or homemade vanilla bean ice cream really elevates the punch with its rich flavor and smooth texture.

How many does this recipe serve?

The Santa Snowball Punch Recipe serves about 12 people, making it ideal for holiday parties and large gatherings where you want everyone to share in the fun.

Final Thoughts

I hope this inspires you to try the Santa Snowball Punch Recipe at your next festive gathering—it’s truly a showstopper that brings holiday joy to every sip! With its simple ingredients and delightful combination of flavors, this punch will soon become a treasured tradition in your celebration lineup.

Santa Snowball Punch Recipe

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4.2 from 72 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

Santa Snowball Punch is a festive and creamy holiday beverage combining tart cranberry nectar, sweet raspberry jam, fizzy lemon-lime soda, and rich vanilla ice cream. Perfect for holiday parties, this punch is easy to assemble and serves a crowd, providing a refreshing and indulgent treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

1 (32 oz) bottle cranberry nectar (or cranberry juice)
1 (12 oz) jar seedless red raspberry jam
1.5 (2-liter) bottles lemon-lime soda, chilled
1.75 quarts vanilla ice cream

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Instructions

Combine the cranberry nectar and raspberry jam: In a large punch bowl, pour the entire bottle of cranberry nectar. Add the seedless red raspberry jam and gently stir until the jam is fully dissolved and evenly mixed into the nectar, creating a sweet and tart base for your punch.
Add the lemon-lime soda: Slowly pour in the chilled lemon-lime soda to the punch bowl. Stir gently to avoid losing too much carbonation, blending the soda with the cranberry and raspberry mixture for a fizzy and flavorful punch.
Incorporate vanilla ice cream: Just before serving, add the 1.75 quarts of vanilla ice cream to the punch bowl. The ice cream will start to melt slightly creating a creamy, snowball-like texture and appearance, enhancing the festive vibe of this holiday drink.
Serve immediately: Ladle the punch into individual cups or glasses and serve right away for the best experience of the creamy, fizzy, and fruity holiday punch.

Notes

For extra festive presentation, garnish with fresh cranberries or mint leaves.
Use cranberry nectar for a smoother, less tart flavor than cranberry juice.
Serve immediately after adding the ice cream to retain the snowball texture.
Can be prepared in advance without the soda and ice cream; add them just before serving.
This recipe is non-alcoholic but can be spiked with a splash of vodka or rum if desired for adults.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Beverage
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American