Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries (whole)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger (peeled and thinly sliced)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • ½ cup lime juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 4 cups chilled club soda or sparkling water (unflavoured)
  • Orange slices and lime wheels (for garnish)
  • ½ cup fresh cranberries (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Simple Syrup Base: Combine water, sugar, whole cranberries, and sliced ginger in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
  2. Simmer & Infuse: Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 8–10 minutes. The cranberries will begin to burst. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to steep for 30 minutes off the heat to deepen the flavour.
  3. Strain the Syrup: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing gently on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids. Chill the resulting syrup completely (at least 1 hour).
  4. Combine Juices: Once the syrup is chilled, pour it into your punch bowl or pitcher. Add the measured orange juice and lime juice. Stir well to combine the base mixture.
  5. Chill Thoroughly: Refrigerate the base mixture for at least 30 minutes to ensure it is ice-cold before serving. Do not add the sparkling water yet.
  6. Assemble & Serve: Just before guests arrive, gently pour in the chilled club soda or sparkling water. Add the fresh cranberry garnish and float the orange and lime slices on top. Serve immediately over ice.