Sparkling Cherry Bomb Punch
A quick and easy sparkling cherry punch that’s a crowd-pleaser for parties, featuring maraschino cherries, cranberry juice, and sparkling water for a bright, fizzy, and refreshing drink.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (if making simple syrup)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained
- 2 cups cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled (plain or lemon/lime flavored)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2–3 limes)
- 1/4 cup simple syrup (homemade or store-bought, adjust to taste)
- A small handful fresh mint leaves, torn (optional)
- Ice cubes as needed
Instructions
- Chill cranberry juice and sparkling water in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- If making homemade simple syrup, combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan, heat gently while stirring until sugar dissolves, then cool completely.
- Juice fresh limes to get about 1/4 cup lime juice, removing seeds.
- In a large punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup; stir gently to mix.
- Add drained maraschino cherries and a little cherry syrup if desired for extra sweetness and color.
- Slowly pour in sparkling water and stir gently to combine without losing fizz.
- Tear fresh mint leaves slightly and add to the punch for aroma and presentation.
- Serve immediately over ice cubes, garnished with a cherry or lime wedge.
Notes
Do not over-stir after adding sparkling water to preserve fizz. Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. Chill ingredients ahead to avoid diluting with too much ice. For adult version, add 1 to 1.5 cups vodka or light rum before serving. Can substitute cranberry juice with pomegranate or cherry juice for seasonal variations. Freeze cherries or lime slices into ice cubes for colorful presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces (240 ml)
- Calories: 7090
- Sugar: 1518
- Carbohydrates: 20
Keywords: sparkling punch, cherry punch, party drink, non-alcoholic punch, crowd-pleaser, easy punch recipe, festive drink