Gin-gle bells, gin-gle bells, these festive punch recipes are fuss-free and fabulous.

Whether you love or loathe the festive season, ‘tis almost upon us. That means it’s time for holiday party drinks and a round-up of the best punches to ladle up at your backyard barbecue, cocktail party or festive feast.

If there’s one rule when it comes to festive punches, it’s that they should be easy and delicious. A great punch is the perfect blend of spirit, sourness, sweetness and spice. It can be alcoholic or non alcoholic – all that matters is you use quality ingredients and balance the key flavours.

Forget what you think you know about punch – here are five fabulous, fuss-free and sophisticated punches that you need to know.

1. The classic Pimm’s Cup

Pimm’s and summer go together like friends and entertaining. Nothing says holiday season like a jug of Pimm’s with your crew at one of Melbourne’s best rooftop bars. Make your own at home or to take to a picnic with this wonderfully refreshing recipe. Fresh, fruity and gin-based, it’s a guaranteed crowdpleaser. Note: this is a single serve recipe so be sure to multiply to make a big punch bowl.

2. Pavlova Punch (yes, you read right)

An ode-to-dessert punch invented by national treasure Jessica Nguyen, this inspired cocktail will make your Christmas iconic. Featuring red strawberries and green kiwifruit to fuel those festive feels, it makes a great visual centrepiece at a party or pairs beautifully with desserts at the end of a meal. Hell, you can even throw subtlety to the wind and serve it up alongside a pavlova. While it might sound suspiciously sweet, rest assured that this pavlova punch is more adjacent to a mojito – fizzy, tart and highly drinkable.

3. Sapphire Summer Punch

Created with Melbourne drag performer and producer Sasha Starr to celebrate Midsumma Festival 2022, this fabulous bright blue punch will be the star of your next party. Described by Sasha as “delicious, fresh and fruity – just like a summer holiday”, the Sapphire Summer Punch features blue curaçao, pineapple juice, fresh mint and gin (of course!).

4. Pink Gin Fruit Punch

For those who love the prettiness of pink gin and sparkling rosé, this light and lively punch is best enjoyed on a sunny afternoon in your backyard or at your local park with a picnic rug rolled out. Easy to make and not too sweet, it's as good-looking as it is tasty and super easy to throw together when you have last-minute guests.

5. Psari Spiti Punch

A Greek twist on the classic Fish House Punch, this festive party drink comes directly from Masterchef maven and all-round good guy, Conor Curran. Wait, what’s Fish House Punch you ask? Only the OG of punch recipes, believed to date all the way back to 1794. ‘Psari Spiti’ is Greek for ‘fish house’, and in this recipe, Conor packs a serious punch (pardon the pun). Merrily mixing an easy homemade peach syrup with lemon juice, Cognac and spiced rum, it’s finished off with fresh basil leaves and peach slices. A drink for celebratory occasions, it’s the perfect out-of-the-norm festive number.