How to Make Champagne Punch: Champagne Punch Recipe

Champagne punch is a bubbly big-batch cocktail made with chilled Champagne, fruit juice, sparkling water or soda, and optional additional liquors and garnishes for a fizzy, fun drink fit for a celebration. Served in a punch bowl for maximum shareability, this Champagne-based recipe features pineapple and orange juice for a fruity, effervescent party punch perfect for a New Year’s Eve party, birthday celebration, or weekend brunch.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of this festive, fruity punch, try out some of these variations for your next party.

1. 1. Non-alcoholic Champagne punch: Swap the Champagne for a non-alcoholic sparkling cider and omit the added vodka to make this festive drink alcohol-free.
2. 2. Sparkling rosé punch: For a pink beverage perfect for a summer party, use sparkling rosé in place of the usual Champagne.
3. 3. Sherbet punch: Add a few scoops of fruity sherbet to your punch bowl for a sweet, creamy treat with an alcoholic edge.
4. 4. Apple cider punch: To make a fall-friendly Champagne cocktail, swap the fruit juices for apple cider and garnish the punch with sliced apples, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise pods.
5. 5. Stone fruit punch: For a summery twist on this punch, swap the orange and pineapple juice for peach juice, and fill the punch with slices of fresh stone fruits.
6. 6. Christmas punch: Create a festive Christmas party–approved beverage by swapping the fruit juices for cranberry juice, adding ginger ale in lieu of sparkling water, and garnishing with fresh cranberries and mint.

These simple tips will help you make the most of your big-batch Champagne cocktail.

1. 1. Use the driest wine possible. When crafting Champagne punch, look for Champagne, prosecco, or other sparkling wines labeled with the word brut, which indicates the driest possible variety of wine. If you’re unable to find brut Champagne, opt for a sparkling wine labeled extra dry or dry.
2. 2. Mix and match fruits. There is no shortage of fresh fruits that will be delicious additions to Champagne punch. Add berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a slightly tart flavor, or stone fruits like peaches, apricots, and plums for a summery twist. During the holiday season, cranberries and pomegranate seeds can add a festive pop of color.
3. 3. Keep it chilled. Champagne punch should always be served as cold as possible. Create an ice ring with a bundt pan to float in the punchbowl to keep the overall drink cold, or serve the punch over ice.
   
4. 4. Make it ahead. For easy party prep, you can combine the bulk of this punch ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge until party time. Just be sure not to add the Champagne or sparkling water until just before serving.