Recipes & Cooking Drinks Punch 15 Flavorful Party Punch Recipes That Will Bowl Over Your Guests Make any gathering more festive with our favorite party punch recipes—including a tropical spiced rum punch and a kid-friendly watermelon punch. By Kristy Alpert Kristy Alpert Kristy is a freelance travel and food writer with bylines in Food & Wine, Cosmopolitan, and more. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on December 24, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Peter Krumhardt Open any party cookbook and you are certain to find a collection of punch recipes—and for good reason. Serving punch at a party is a tradition that dates back to the earliest days of the British East India Trading Company. In fact, the term "proud as punch" came from the immense satisfaction sailors took in their trade route punch recipes. We're pretty proud of our punch recipes, too. So, we've compiled a list of our favorites to help quench your guests' thirst. Whatever the occasion, we have a fitting punch recipe, including a party-ready tropical rum punch recipe and a kid-friendly sherbet punch recipe that's fizzy and fun. If you're strapped for time, don't sweat it—you can quickly whip up one of these easy punch recipes before guests arrive. Make an Ice Ring, Ice Cups, or Ice Shards to Keep Punch Cool 01 of 15 Garden Tea Punch View Recipe Blaine Moats When you need a pick-me-up on summer's hottest days, reach for a glass of this punch. Fresh mint, tea, and club soda are simple ingredients, but they make an especially refreshing summer party punch drink recipe when brought together. If you want to show off the goods from your garden, garnish each glass with a few extra mint leaves. 02 of 15 Watermelon Cooler Punch View Recipe Andy Lyons Nothing says "summer" like watermelon, and this refreshing non-alcoholic watermelon punch recipe is full of it. The combo of watermelon, mint, and club soda is perfect for sipping outside on a sunny day. For an added touch, serve this summery punch in a big glass pitcher garnished with watermelon slices or frozen watermelon balls and sprigs of mint. Buy It: Cha Cha Pitcher ($35, Crate & Barrel) 03 of 15 Sangria View Recipe Jason Donnelly Sangria is, without a doubt, one of our favorite alcoholic punch recipes. Customize this wine-based punch by adding agave nectar or sugar for sweetness or by adding your favorite fruits. To make the punch fizzy, mix in lemon-lime soda just before serving. With a bubbly accent, it becomes a perfect punch cocktail. 15 Homemade Sangria Recipes to Enjoy All Year Long 04 of 15 Coconut Cream Island Punch View Recipe Con Poulos Spring, summer, fall, or winter, punch recipes with alcohol always get the party started—and this creamy spiced rum punch is no different. Frozen star fruit slices act as ice cubes and become a fruity snack once they thaw out in this grapefruit soda blend. Coconut sorbet or gelato adds a tropical touch and keeps this punch cool and creamy to the last drop. 15 Alcohol-Infused Desserts to Create a Buzz at Your Next Party 05 of 15 Strawberry Daiquiri Punch View Recipe Dennis Skinner Who doesn't love sipping on a strawberry daiquiri? This rum punch recipe serves a crowd, making it the ideal drink for any big bash. Try using fresh strawberries in spring or early summer for the best flavor. And you don't need a fully stocked bar to mix up this drink, either—it takes only five ingredients and a blender! Buy It: Ninja Professional Blender ($80, Target) 06 of 15 Pepino Punch View Recipe Blaine Moats This refreshing spin on a big-batch margarita uses fresh cucumber, basil, and jalapeños to create what has quickly become one of our favorite green punch recipes. This adults-only punch recipe calls for a bottle of tequila, but you can transform the punch into a spicy mocktail by swapping in an equal amount of pineapple or orange juice. Serve in a pitcher, a punchbowl, or on the rocks with fresh cucumber, sprigs of basil, and a swizzle stick garnish. 10 Flavor-Filled Margarita Recipes Ready for Toasting 07 of 15 Pineapple-Ginger Punch View Recipe Karla Conrad Delight guests of all ages with this fruity tropical recipe. To make this the best party punch drink recipe for adults, try mixing in rum, vodka, or pineapple-flavored vodka. Thanks to the combo of fresh ginger and pineapple juice, just one sip of this punch cocktail is like an instant trip to an island oasis. 08 of 15 Good Morning Mulled Punch View Recipe Blaine Moats Not all easy punch recipes have to be cold. This warm drink will be the star of your next brunch. Made with apple cider, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and allspice, this punch recipe is an even better companion for breakfast food than coffee. 09 of 15 Bourbon Strawberry Smash View Recipe David Tsay Plenty of boozy punch recipes feature rum or vodka. This one is a party-sized twist on a smash—a classic cocktail that often features bourbon, rye, or brandy. This summer sipper calls for fresh strawberries, but you can make it with peaches, mango, raspberries, or any other fruit you fancy. Before serving, stir in some club soda and garnish each glass with a sprig of mint. Cocktail Basics You Need to Know to Be an At-Home Mixologist 10 of 15 June Bug View Recipe Andy Lyons Ginger ale, grenadine, orange juice, and orange sherbet: That's all you need to whip up a quick batch of this fruity and refreshing party punch drink recipe. You can make this drink for adults and kids or add a grown-up boozy twist by mixing in white rum or vodka. Since it's so simple to make, this punch drink recipe is a great go-to for summer parties. 24 Easy Summer Party Ideas for Hosting Big and Small Gatherings 11 of 15 Mint Julep Punch View Recipe Greg Scheidemann Make mint juleps easy with this simple punch recipe that requires just five ingredients. Toss those ingredients in a punchbowl and soon, this classic mint and bourbon punch will have any party feeling like the Kentucky Derby. The secret trick? It isn't the fresh mint leaves—it's the black cherry bourbon. 12 of 15 Pink Rhubarb Punch View Recipe Steven Needham If you've got rhubarb growing in your garden, it'd be a mistake not to spare some for this gorgeous pink punch recipe. This pretty punch gets its stunning color from fresh rhubarb and frozen pink lemonade. It's an easy way to upgrade pink lemonade and use up your rhubarb harvest! How to Prepare Rhubarb for Yummy Spring Desserts and More 13 of 15 Prosecco-Peach Punch View Recipe Blaine Moats We don't know about you, but we'll never turn down a punch recipe with Prosecco in the summertime (or anytime, honestly). This light peach punch is excellent for sipping on a warm day. To make this punch kid-friendly, substitute unsweetened pineapple juice for the Prosecco. 14 of 15 Raspberry Mojito Punch View Recipe Peter Krumhardt This ultra-refreshing mojito punch recipe should be mandatory at any summer party. Like all of the best party punch drink recipes, this one makes it easy to hydrate a crowd (no individual stirring required). Try floating fresh raspberries and mint leaves alongside ice cubes in your punch bowl to step up the presentation. 15 of 15 Apple Cider Punch View Recipe Who says hot apple cider should have all the attention at fall parties? This popular punch recipe calls for cold cider—fresh if you can get it—citrus or cranberry juice and a bottle of sparkling wine or sparkling grape juice (you pick). It's a festive alternative to hot holiday beverages and can be easily adapted to suit your tastes. Apple Cider Vinegar Drink Frequently Asked Questions How much punch do I need? The amount of punch you will need for a party depends on your guests and how many other options will be available at the party. In general, you'll want to plan for 1 gallon of punch per party guest. How do I keep my punch from diluting too much? The moment your punch concoction mixes with ice, it will begin to dilute—unless you take preventative measures. If you have time, make a batch of your punch a day in advance and freeze it into ice cubes or an ice mold. Add it to your finished punch on the day of the party and not only will your drinks stay flavorful, you'll also have more punch! You could also use frozen fruit to keep your punch cold (instead of ice) or build an ice ring, which will melt slower and preserve the integrity of the mix. What's the best way to serve hot punch? Hot punches (like mulled wine or our Good Morning Mulled Punch above) are best served in a slow cooker or multicooker set to a low simmer or "keep warm" setting. If you don't have that option, you could serve your hot punch from a stovetop Dutch oven or stockpot. Just be sure to keep the temperature low and check the pot frequently to make sure it doesn't boil or run dry. What can I serve my punch in if I don't have a punchbowl? A pretty glass pitcher or beverage dispenser is a good go-to option for cold punch recipes, but you can use just about anything that is food-safe and water-tight. If you don't have one of those, a large bowl, stock pot, or soup tureen would also make a good vessel. Or, if your party has a theme, consider using something related. You could, for example, serve Halloween punches in a cauldron. Try ladling beach-themed cocktails from a large beach pail. Fall punch recipes look stunning when served in hollowed-out pumpkins or gourds and hollowed-out watermelons are perfect for summer beverages (like our Watermelon Cooler above). Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit