Pear Blackberry Sparkling Holiday Punch
Make-ahead pear blackberry sparkling punch with warm spices, steeped overnight and topped with bubbly. A pretty Christmas party drink for 10 guests.
This pear blackberry sparkling punch is fruity, lightly spiced and easy to scale for a crowd. You do the work the night before, then just pour and stir when guests arrive.
Tips for Success
- Crush some of the berries first. This gives the punch its deep purple color.
- Chill the sparkling wine before adding it.
- Add ice at the last minute so the punch is not watered down.
- Remove the cinnamon and star anise if you steep longer than 24 hours, since the flavor gets strong.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Keep the steeped fruit mixture covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Once mixed with the wine, drink the punch the same day because it loses its fizz.
Variations
- Use frozen cranberries in place of some of the blackberries.
- Replace the vodka with a pear brandy.
- Float a few orange slices on top for color.
Pear Blackberry Sparkling Holiday Punch
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put a handful of blackberries in a heatproof bowl and crush them with a fork.
- Add the rest of the blackberries, the cloves, cinnamon, star anise, orange zest and rosemary.
- Pour in the boiling water.
- Core the pears, slice them thinly and add them to the bowl. Stir well.
- Cover and chill for at least 8 hours, or overnight. This is called steeping, which lets the flavors seep into the water.
- Pour the mixture into a large serving bowl. Fill it halfway with ice.
- Add the pear vodka and the prosecco. Stir gently so the bubbles stay.
- Serve right away in small glasses with some fruit in each.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this punch without alcohol?
Yes. Use pear nectar in place of the vodka and sparkling apple cider or ginger ale in place of the prosecco.
Can I make it ahead of a party?
You can steep the fruit and spices up to 2 days ahead. Add the ice and the drinks just before serving.
What sparkling wine works best?
Any dry or off-dry sparkling wine, such as prosecco or cava. Pick one you like to drink on its own.
