Candy Cane Christmas Punch with Peppermint
Eggnog and peppermint ice cream make this a creamy, cold punch rather than a clear candy-cane soda drink. Chilled club soda adds a light, bubbly top without making the sweet base sweeter. Mix it in just before serving, then pour the punch into clear handled mugs and finish each one with finely crushed candy cane.
Ingredients for Candy Cane Christmas Punch
- 4 cups chilled eggnog (about 960g)
- 1 pint (2 cups) peppermint ice cream, slightly softened (about 300g)
- 2 cups chilled club soda (about 475g)
- 2 tablespoons finely crushed candy cane, plus more if desired (about 20g)
- 1 to 2 drops red food coloring, only if needed for a pale blush color
How to Make Candy Cane Christmas Punch
- Chill and soften: Keep the eggnog and club soda refrigerated until needed. Chill the mugs if convenient. Let the ice cream soften for 5 to 10 minutes, until it is easy to stir but not melted.
- Make the creamy base: In a chilled punch bowl or pitcher with room for bubbles, stir the eggnog and ice cream until smooth. Peppermint ice cream varies in color; if the base is white and you want a pale blush, stir in food coloring one drop at a time. Stop before it becomes bright pink or red.
- Add the club soda: Just before serving, pour in the chilled club soda gently. Stir only enough to combine, leaving a light layer of bubbles on the surface.
- Garnish and serve: Pour into clear handled mugs, leaving room for the foam. Scatter finely crushed candy cane over each serving without stirring it in. Serve immediately.
How to Keep the Punch Bubbly
Blend the eggnog and ice cream before adding the soda so the finished punch needs only a gentle stir. Mixing it early or whisking after the soda goes in will flatten the bubbles; the ice cream will also melt and thin the punch as it sits.
Choosing the Soda
Club soda keeps the eggnog-and-ice-cream base from becoming even sweeter. For a sweeter punch, replace it with an equal amount of chilled ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. Ginger ale adds ginger flavor, while lemon-lime soda adds a citrus note.
Make-Ahead and Leftovers
Chill the eggnog and soda and crush the candy cane ahead of time, but mix the punch close to serving. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 day. The ice cream will melt and the punch will lose its fizz.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving, based on 6 servings of about 1 to 1 1/3 cups each. Values include the candy-cane garnish and vary by brand.
- Calories: about 335
- Protein: about 9g
- Fat: about 18g
- Carbohydrates: about 37g
Approximate nutrition per 100g: 115 calories, 3g protein, 6g fat, and 13g carbohydrates.
Candy Cane Christmas Punch
Equipment
- Punch bowl or pitcher
- Clear handled mugs
Ingredients
For the Punch
- 4 cups chilled eggnog (about 960 g)
- 1 pint (2 cups) peppermint ice cream, slightly softened (about 300 g)
- 2 cups chilled club soda (about 475 g)
- 1 to 2 drops red food coloring, optional
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons finely crushed candy cane, plus more if desired (about 20 g)
Instructions
- Keep the eggnog and club soda refrigerated until needed. Chill the mugs if convenient.
- Let the ice cream soften for 5 to 10 minutes, until easy to stir but not melted.
- In a chilled punch bowl or pitcher, stir the eggnog and ice cream until smooth.
- If desired, add food coloring one drop at a time for a pale blush color.
- Just before serving, gently pour in the chilled club soda and stir only enough to combine.
- Pour into clear handled mugs, leaving room for foam. Sprinkle crushed candy cane over each serving without stirring it in, and serve immediately.
Tips
- Mix the eggnog and ice cream before adding the soda.
- Add the club soda just before serving and stir gently to preserve the bubbles.
- Soften the ice cream until stirrable, but do not let it melt.
- Add food coloring one drop at a time to avoid making the punch too bright.
Variations
- Ginger Ale Punch: Replace the club soda with an equal amount of chilled ginger ale for a sweeter punch with ginger flavor.
- Lemon-Lime Soda Punch: Replace the club soda with an equal amount of chilled lemon-lime soda for a sweeter punch with a citrus note.