Spiced Pomegranate Punch
Ruby pomegranate juice warmed with orange, cinnamon and star anise, lightly sweetened with honey for a festive alcohol-free punch.
Ingredients
- 400 ml pomegranate juice
- 1 orange — half juiced, half sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 1 tbsp honey — to taste
Method
- Pour the pomegranate juice into a small pan and add the cinnamon stick and star anise.
- Stir in the orange juice and add a few orange slices, then warm gently over a low heat.
- Let the punch infuse for several minutes without boiling so the spices open up.
- Stir through the honey to taste, then ladle into mugs and serve warm.
How to serve
- Glassware
- Heatproof mug
- Serve temperature
- Warm, around 65°C
- Garnish
- Pomegranate seeds and an orange slice
Pomegranate brings a jewel-bright colour and a sweet-tart depth that feels made for the festive table. Warmed with orange, cinnamon and star anise, it becomes a fragrant, alcohol-free punch that fills the kitchen with the smell of the season. A little honey rounds the edges, though the fruit often needs barely any.
Layering the spice
Cinnamon and star anise are a classic winter pairing, the one warm and sweet, the other faintly aniseed. Add them whole so they infuse slowly and lift out cleanly before serving. Keep the pan gentle, since boiling can flatten pomegranate’s lively character and turn the punch dull. A few minutes of quiet simmering below the boil is all it takes.
A festive serve
Fresh orange juice sharpens the punch while the slices perfume it as they warm. For a celebratory finish, scatter a few pomegranate seeds across the top of each mug so they bob jewel-like at the surface, and add an orange slice alongside. The result is striking enough for guests yet simple enough for a quiet night in, glowing ruby-red in the glass.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use sweetened or unsweetened pomegranate juice?
Either works. With sweetened juice you may need little or no honey, so taste the warmed punch before adding any extra sweetness.
What does star anise add?
Star anise lends a gentle liquorice warmth that pairs beautifully with pomegranate and orange. One pod is plenty for this quantity.
Can I scale this up for a party?
Yes. Multiply the quantities and warm everything in a large pan over a low heat, keeping it below a simmer to protect the fresh fruit notes.
Related recipes
Warm Cranberry Punch
A festive warm punch of cranberry and apple juice, gently spiced with cinnamon, clove and star anise and lifted with orange.
Spiced Hibiscus Punch
A tart, ruby-red hibiscus punch warmed with cinnamon and fresh ginger, brightened with orange and rounded out with honey.
Hot Rosehip Punch
Tangy rosehip tea warmed with orange, cinnamon and honey for a bright, fruity alcohol-free punch that suits a crisp winter evening.
More like this