This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dr Pepper Snapple Group for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Merry Christmas Eve, ya’ll!! I’m posting today during my holiday break to share my Caribbean Christmas Punch. Had enough pumpkin, peppermint and egg nog? Me too. I created this punch for our Christmas Eve party tonight, a mix of traditional holiday flavors like cranberry, orange and ginger – with an island twist of dark rum and cherry. Just take a sip and imagine yourself somewhere very warm.

When it comes to entertaining, nothing is easier than a punch. You can prepare mass quantities ahead of time so you can spend the party enjoying your guests, not shakin’ up cocktails. Every good punch has several key components, one being a fizzy beverage to give the punch a pop. Today I’m using Canada Dry Ginger Ale, something I drink on a regular, almost obsessive level, basis. It not only adds the fizz, but real ginger flavor, perfect for the holidays.

When I was shopping at Vons (Safeway in other areas) I knew I wanted dark rum and cranberry, but felt like straight cranberry might be too tart. Then I saw this Cherry-Cran juice and it all clicked. If you can’t find this blend, just buy the juices separately. A good punch contains citrus and what goes better with cranberry than orange? Bam. The punch came together and all in one store.

Just a couple tips, don’t keep ice in your punch to avoid bruising (i.e. watered down terribleness). Keep a bucket of ice nearby with a scoop so guests can serve themselves. Another great tip is to score your cherries with a knife before you put them in the punch. This will give you a greater infusion of flavor but keep the pits inside the fruit (and out of your punch).

Enjoy, everyone — I’ll see you all after the holiday!

Caribbean Christmas Punch

Ingredients

• 350 ml Meyer’s Dark Rum
• 1 liter Cran-Cherry juice
• 2 oz Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
• 1 liter Canada Dry Ginger Ale, plus more to top
• orange slices, cranberries, cherries (scored) for garnish

Directions

1. Pour all ingredients into a punch bowl.
2. Serve over ice. Top with Canada Dry Ginger Ale and garnish with orange wedge and cherry.

Pair this punch with more cranberry like my Mini Cranberry Pies with 5 Spice Meringue!

Find more fun holiday drink recipes and entertaining tips!