Midnight Ruby New Year Punch (Kid-Friendly, No Sparkle)
A festive, non-sparkling New Year’s Eve mocktail for kids—ruby red, cozy-spiced, and glittering with starry fruit, perfect for the countdown without bubbles.
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6
Inspired by global holiday sips—hibiscus from warm-weather fiestas, cranberry from wintry tables—this no-sparkle mocktail leans on a hibiscus “tea concentrate” for color and tang, then mellows it with apple and orange. A whisper of vanilla and cinnamon adds cozy, candlelit vibes. It’s as simple as steep, stir, and chill, with just enough craft to make junior mixologists feel like party pros.
Practical tip: Brew the hibiscus ahead so you can assemble in minutes. Rimming glasses with colored sugar makes it feel fancy—no carbonation needed. And star-shaped apple or pear slices turn each glass into a mini celebration.
Ingredients
- 6 g dried hibiscus flowers (or 2 hibiscus tea bags)
- 500 ml just-boiled water
- 500 ml cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 500 ml clear apple juice
- 250 ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- 30 ml maple syrup, to taste
- 5 ml vanilla extract
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 60 g pomegranate arils
- 1 firm apple or pear, thinly sliced into rounds, cut into small stars (optional)
- 30 g coloured sanding sugar, for rimming (optional)
- 1 lime wedge, for rimming (optional)
- Ice cubes, to serve
Nutrients
- vitamin Chigh
From orange, cranberry, and hibiscus
- potassiumsource
From orange and pomegranate
Instructions
- 1
Make the hibiscus base: Combine dried hibiscus with 500 ml just-boiled water in a heatproof jug. Steep 7 minutes, then strain and discard the flowers (or remove tea bags).
- 2
Sweeten and season: While warm, stir in maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon. Let cool 5–10 minutes.
- 3
Mix the punch: In a large jug, combine cranberry juice, apple juice, orange juice, vanilla extract, and the cooled hibiscus base. Stir and taste; adjust sweetness if needed.
- 4
Chill: Refrigerate until party time, or serve immediately over plenty of ice.
- 5
Garnish prep: If using, punch star shapes from apple or pear slices. Dip quickly in a little apple juice to prevent browning. Keep cold.
- 6
Rim the glasses (optional): Rub the rim with the lime wedge and dip into coloured sugar for a festive edge.
- 7
Serve: Add ice to glasses, spoon in a few pomegranate arils and a fruit star, then pour in the punch. Cheers to the New Year—without the sparkle!
Chef's Tip
Freeze an ice ring with pomegranate arils and orange slices to keep the punch cold without diluting it.
Fun Fact
Hibiscus drinks appear at celebrations worldwide—bissap in West Africa and agua de jamaica in Latin America—prized for their tart, cranberry-like brightness.
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Remixes (2)
Midnight Ruby Tropical Remix Punch (Kid-Friendly, No Sparkle)
A no-sparkle New Year’s tropical remix: hibiscus base, pineapple–mango–passion fruit–guava juices, kid-friendly and beachy-bright for the countdown.
Midnight Ruby Tropical Remix Punch (Kid-Friendly, No Sparkle)
A tropical remix of the kid-friendly, no-sparkle New Year punch—hibiscus meets pineapple, mango, and passion fruit with star fruit “disco” slices.
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I'm a web developer with a passion for cooking, especially when it comes to pasta. Spaghetti to ravioli, I love it all. I'm also fascinated by the rich tastes of Peruvian cuisine. Follow along as I combine tech and cooking, creating easy-to-follow digital recipes that highlight the pleasure of delicious food.