punch basics

Punches come in an endless variety and are typically easy to modify to your own tastes and available ingredients. ideally, to be punch, they should be a mix of flavors (artificial punch flavor fails as anything but a kid's drink not because it is too sweet or because it doesn't have alcohol--though it's that too--but because it is a single flavor: one that tends to make a large proportion of people think of a sweet, fruity punch; but not a mixture of flavors. I rarely make the same punch twice because I go with ingredients on hand and flavors that go with the food or munchies, but these instructions should allow for a descent punch no matter which options you choose. Adjust volumes to make sure there's enough for your guests. The proportions change the flavor, but it takes a LOT to create too intense or too weak a flavor, too sweet or too sour. use alcohol if desired to reflect the intended mood and allowable potential damaging effects of the party.

Basic non-alcoholic punch

1 - 2 liters clear soda(s) such as Sprite or Mist (regular or diet). Fresca also works, or Mt Dew with some flavors for lunch time. Orange or Cherry soda can be used with appropriate flavors.

1-2 cans frozen concentrate (such as grapefruit, orange, and/or limeade--don't add water) and/or 12-20 oz unsweetened juice such as organic cherry, pure cranberry, or pomegranate (cocktails and blended juices are usually too weak to be effective)

Ice cubes, ice ring, or 2-4 scoops sherbet (The ice cubes or ice ring work best if they are frozen juice, which will add flavor rather than watering down the punch as they melt. It can be the same or another juice but I don't recommend more than three juice flavors total. Alcohol should typically be no more than one third of the liquid (1 750 ml bottle per 2 litres soda)

For example: Light Lime punch

1 litre Diet Sprite, chilled
1 can lime juice concentrate - add to soda in a punch bowl or pitcher and mix until dissolved
add 3 scoops lime sherbet immediately before serving


For example with alcohol: Tropical Punch

1 can chunk pineapple (reserve juice)
1-2 bananas, sliced
Fill jello mold or bundt pan half full with lemonade, add pineaple chunks and banana slices. Add lemonade to fill as desired (expect some expansion) and freeze at least two hours
1 litre Fresca
1 litre Diet Sprite
1 can each limeade and orange juice concentrate
(750 ml bottle light rum)
Make sure there is enough room in bowl to allow ice ring to immerse ice ring.
Fully remove ice ring from mold and add ice to mixture in punch bowl just before serving.


Very Berry Punch

1/2 pint blueberries, raspberries, or about a dozen maracchino cherries in white grape juice in an ice ring; freeze at least 2 hours
1 or 2 litre Cherry Soda or 1 each cherry and Sprite
1 c pure cranberry juice
1 qt red or white grape juice