Christmas Morning Brunch Punch

December 24, 2023

Need to soften the blow of sub-par Christmas gifts? This Christmas morning brunch punch is the perfect thing to serve with breakfast to ensure that your mom will look more kindly on the frame you bought her last-minute at Home Goods. It will make your dad believe the “World’s #1 Dad” mug you picked up at Goodwill. It might even make your sibling overlook that the board game that you just gave them is the same one they gave you last year. And this Christmas morning brunch punch is more than just a useful tool in your familial diplomacy toolkit: it’s unique and delicious. Made with flavorful, distinctive aquavit (a Scandinavian spirit reminiscent of gin but flavored more with caraway than juniper), ginger syrup, fresh lemon, and blood orange soda, it’s a fun change from a classic brunch-y mimosa. Happy holidays.

Want a video version of the recipe? Click here to see it on TikTok.

First, Make the Ginger Syrup

Before you mix up the cocktail, you’ll want to make ginger syrup. It’s easy, and if you have extra you can keep it in the fridge to add to old fashioneds (my husband tells me it’s also great on pancakes or ice cream).

To make the syrup, you’ll need a pot, a cup measure, a fine mesh strainer, a cutting board, a knife, a spoon, and a jar to store your syrup. Here are some of my favorite cocktail tools.

Ginger Syrup Ingredients:

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup rough-cut ginger

Instructions:

Begin by bringing the water to a boil, then stir in sugar until it dissolves. Add the ginger, and simmer 10 minutes. Allow it to cool, and strain out the solids with a fine mesh strainer.