This Peppermint Punch is a creamy Christmas drink made with eggnog, peppermint ice cream, and fizzy soda. It comes together in just minutes and tastes like a holiday dessert in a glass, which makes it such a fun choice for Christmas parties, family dinners, and cookie decorating nights.
We first shared this recipe back in 2014, and it is still one of the easiest holiday drinks to make. The peppermint ice cream gives it that cool mint flavor and creamy texture, while club soda keeps it less sweet or ginger ale adds a little extra sweetness and spice. A sprinkle of crushed candy canes makes every glass feel extra festive.
Because it is nonalcoholic and easy to mix right before serving, this is a great family-friendly punch for all kinds of Christmas gatherings. For more holiday drinks, try our Christmas Punch, Holiday Punch, Homemade Apple Cider and Wassail recipes.
Why You’ll Love It + Why It Works:
- Three Main Ingredients. Eggnog, peppermint ice cream, and soda make this an easy Christmas punch that comes together in minutes.
- Family Friendly. This nonalcoholic punch is fun for kids and adults at holiday parties and Christmas dinners.
- Dessert + Drink in One. Peppermint ice cream gives every glass a creamy, minty texture that feels like a holiday treat.
- Add the Fizz Last. Stirring in chilled soda just before serving helps the punch stay bubbly.
- Softened Ice Cream Blends Easily. Letting the ice cream soften slightly helps it mix smoothly into the eggnog.
Peppermint Punch Ingredients
- Eggnog (1 quart): Creates the creamy holiday base and adds classic Christmas flavor.
- Peppermint Ice Cream(½ gallon): Adds peppermint flavor, sweetness, and a creamy chilled texture. We like Blue Bell.
- Club soda or ginger ale (1 liter): Adds fizz and lightens the punch, with ginger ale adding extra sweetness.
- Crushed candy canes, optional topping: Adds peppermint crunch, color, and a festive garnish for each cup.
How to Make Peppermint Punch
MIX. Let the peppermint ice cream soften slightly, then stir it together with the eggnog in a large punch bowl until creamy.
ADD FIZZ. Gently stir in the chilled club soda or ginger ale just before serving. Serve immediately for the best fizz and creamy texture.
SERVE. Ladle or pour into glasses and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
ADJUST THE TEXTURE. Add a little more peppermint ice cream for a thicker, more dessert-like punch, or a little extra soda for a lighter drink.
Add homemade whipped cream on top too, if desired.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Keep everything cold. Chill the eggnog and soda before mixing so the punch stays cold longer and the ice cream melts more slowly.
- Chill the glasses. Pop serving glasses in the refrigerator or freezer before the party for an extra-cold drink.
- Choose your fizz. Club soda keeps the punch less sweet and lets the eggnog and peppermint stand out, while ginger ale makes it sweeter with a little extra holiday spice.
- Make a candy cane rim. Dip the rim of each glass in a little corn syrup or melted white chocolate, then into crushed candy canes.
- Add a little color. If your peppermint ice cream is white, add 1 or 2 drops of red food coloring for a pale pink punch.
- Save some ice cream for serving. Scoop a few small balls of peppermint ice cream onto a plate and freeze until firm, then add them to the punch bowl or individual glasses right before serving.
- Make ahead. Chill the eggnog and soda and prep the garnishes ahead of time, then mix everything together just before serving for the best texture and fizz.
Peppermint Punch Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 quart Eggnog
- ½ gallon Peppermint Ice Cream, (we like Bluebell’s)
- 1 liter Club soda, or Ginger Ale
- crushed candy cane, (optional topping)
Instructions
- Let the peppermint ice cream soften slightly, then stir it together with the eggnog in a large punch bowl until creamy.
- Gently stir in the chilled club soda or ginger ale just before serving.
- Serve immediately for the best fizz and creamy texture.
- If poured into cups, sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
Notes
- Chill the eggnog and soda before mixing so the punch stays cold longer.
- Let the peppermint ice cream soften slightly so it blends into the punch more easily.
- Use club soda for a lighter punch or ginger ale for a sweeter, more flavorful version.
- Add crushed candy canes to individual cups right before serving so they stay crunchy.
- Make-ahead tip: chill the eggnog and soda ahead, then mix everything together right before serving for the best texture and fizz.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQ
Chill the eggnog and soda ahead of time and have the candy cane garnish ready, but wait to combine the ice cream, eggnog, and soda until just before serving for the best texture and fizz.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The punch will lose some fizz and the ice cream will melt, so stir or blend it before serving again.
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This recipe was first shared November, 2014.
Does the ginger ale curdle the eggnog? 😅
Wonderful and easy, it has been a hit for Christmas
We love making your recipes. We made this last night for Christmas movie night, it was a hit.
I enjoyed making this peppermint punch and I’m glad, guests loved it! So festive and delicious!
I love how simple and easy this is to make! Thank you for always sharing the best recipes!
This is a crows pleaser!!
This drink is so delicious and perfect for holiday parties! I love the added peppermint, even the non eggnog fans liked this punch!
My family thinks I am so weird because I love adding ginger ale to eggnog. Adding peppermint ice cream is excellent!
This is so festive and fun! I love the flavor the peppermint adds to the punch!
I am all for drinks that don’t require a lot of ingredients! This is so good! Love the little pieces of peppermint crunch!