33 Best Party Punch Recipes That Guests Will Love

Discover a Crowd-pleasing Recipe for Every Occasion

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/9/24
A bowl full of strawberry Champagne punch with three glasses full of the drink

The Spruce Eats / Rachel Riesgraf

Throwing a party is fun and serving punch makes your hosting experience hassle-free so you can enjoy the festivities alongside your guests. Once you discover the ease of large-batch cocktails, you'll never go back to the shaking, straining, and jiggering that single drinks entail. Plus, a punch is also one of the cheapest drink options.

Whether you're looking for an alcoholic punch, a booze-free recipe that kids and nondrinkers can enjoy, or something with seasonal flair, one of these punch recipes will fit your party perfectly—from elegant holiday soirées to casual summer cookouts. No matter which punch you choose, however, don't forget the garnishes. Beyond adding flavor, fruits, and herbs add a finishing touch that makes any punch look party-ready.

How Much Punch Will You Need?


A pitcher works perfectly for small affairs with just a few guests, though larger parties require extra planning. The general rule is to provide one gallon of punch for every 10 guests. A conservative estimate assumes each guest will drink about three four-ounce servings. If you're providing other beverages, reduce the punch you make.

Tips for Party Punch Success

  • Don't dilute - Avoid adding ice to the punch itself since it'll start to dilute the drink as it melts. Instead, place ice in cups for guests to serve themselves.
  • Chill without diluting - There are several ways to keep a punch chilled without diluting it. Freeze some of the punch ahead of time and add those to the bowl or make an ice ring. Or use frozen fruit in place of fresh fruit.
  • Make it bubbly - If you plan on making a sparkling punch, add the bubbly or club soda last or else it'll go flat.
  • How much punch? - Keep in mind that there are 128 ounces in 1 gallon. Add up all of the liquid ingredients to estimate the recipe's total volume. Multiply or divide the volume to fit the number of guests you expect, and double or triple the recipe if needed.


  • 01 of 33

    Planters Punch

    A bowl of Planter's Punch with four glasses filled with punch

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

    Planters Punch is a classic drink that's full of summer flavor. Its roots trace back to Jamaica and typically call for high-quality rum. This nonalcoholic version is rum-free, but still vibrant and refreshing, thanks to a trio of juices (orange, pineapple, and lemon), grenadine, and sliced fresh fruit. It's a great punch for celebrations where you have different age groups; to make it an adult drink, set out a bottle of rum and guests can add as much or as little as they like.

  • 02 of 33

    Holiday Punch

    Lambrusco holiday punch in a bowl with cups

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

    This gorgeous jewel-toned holiday punch is a festive drink that works for every Christmas, Hanukkah, and other winter gatherings. It features Lambrusco (a sparkling Italian red wine), Byrrh (a fortified wine with coffee and orange flavors), and a spiced rosemary simple syrup. Club soda is added right before serving for a light effervescence that ties everything together.

  • 03 of 33

    White Wine Sangria With Summer Fruits

    A white wine sangria with summer fruits in two glasses and a pitcher

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    In the hot, humid summer months, a lighter punch like this white wine sangria will quench thirsty guests at cookouts and picnics. The big-batch cocktail tastes even better after an overnight stint in the fridge, which allows flavors of the wine and fresh fruit—including ripe seasonal peaches and strawberries— to mingle and marry.

  • 04 of 33

    Strawberry Champagne Punch

    A strawberry Champagne punch in a bowl with three glasses filled

    The Spruce Eats / Rachel Riesgraf

    This strawberry champagne punch can be made any time of year since frozen strawberries can be used, but it's especially delicious in the spring and summer when fresh berries are available. Frozen fruit punch concentrate and orange juice for the base with a full bottle of Champagne and cans of ginger ale added before serving to give it a lovely fizziness.

    Continue to 5 of 33 below
  • 05 of 33

    Red Wine Sangria

    Two glasses and a pitcher filled with a basic Sangria with red wine

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Red wine sangria is a classic that's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Use this recipe as a loose guide to make a drink that speaks to you and your guests. Swap the lemon and oranges for berries, and use bourbon instead of brandy — the fun of this sangria comes from how easy it is to customize and make your own.

  • 06 of 33

    Bloody Rum Punch

    A punch bowl and two glasses filled with bloody rum punch

    ​The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    Though it's billed as a Halloween drink, this "bloody" rum punch is great all year round. Red wine gives it a spooky red color, but the tropical rum and fresh-squeezed lime juice make it a nice summer sipper, too. The recipe also calls for triple sec, so it's definitely on the stronger side—consider yourself warned.

  • 07 of 33

    Low-Sugar Citrus, Strawberry, and Rosemary Sangria Recipe

    Low-Sugar Citrus, Strawberry, and Rosemary Sangria in glasses and a pitcher

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Sangrias are always a hit at summer celebrations, but many recipes are loaded with sugar. This lightened-up recipe cuts down the sweetness by using a dry wine and vodka, which amps up the booziness without additional sugar. Finally, the natural sugars of the citrus and berries infuse overnight, which gives the punch plenty of flavor.

  • 08 of 33

    Rose Sangria

    Rosé Sangria made with peach, raspberry, and strawberry

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    A pretty-in-pink rosé sangria is a fun, flirty sipper that's perfect for warm-weather celebrations. Use a dry white wine to balance out the sweetness from fresh summer fruits and deep caramel notes of the brandy. The fruits are macerated in sugar to quickly draw out their flavor so you only need to chill the drink for an hour, then add club soda at the very end.

    Continue to 9 of 33 below
  • 09 of 33

    Jim Beam Fruit Punch

    Three glasses and a punch bowl filled with a Jim Beam Fruit Punch

    The Spruce Eats / Rachel Riesgraf

    If your party could use a little whiskey, try the Jim Beam fruit punch. This recipe mixes cherry-flavored bourbon with strawberry liqueur and passion fruit juice. Finish it with Champagne, strawberries, and lemons for extra pizazz.

  • 10 of 33

    Pineapple and Sage Gimlet

    Two glasses and a pitcher filled with a pineapple sage gimlet punch

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    A pitcher-sized recipe, the pineapple and sage gimlet is a fantastic addition to warm-weather parties. It requires just five ingredients, including fresh sage, pineapple juice, and a premium gin. While fresh pineapple chunks are optional, they add even more tropical flavor and visual interest to the drink.

  • 11 of 33

    Rosé Berry Bliss

    Six glasses filled with a rose berry bliss cocktail champagne

    Alan Richardson / Getty Images

    Sweet and lovely, the Rosé Berry Bliss is a great last-minute punch. It uses rosé wine and lemon-lime soda along with frozen blueberries and frozen pink lemonade. Perfect for intimate affairs and serving in elegant flutes, it's an effervescent drink everyone will enjoy.

  • 12 of 33

    White Peach and Mango Sangria

    Glasses filled with white wine peach and mango sangria

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    No matter the occasion, sangria is a popular party drink. Though the recipes vary, they all feature lots of fruit and wine, sometimes with a little liquor. This white peach and mango sangria is a fun twist, featuring pinot grigio, mango rum, and peach schnapps.

    Continue to 13 of 33 below
  • 13 of 33

    Pimm's and Lemonade

    A pitcher filled with Classic Pimm's and lemonade punch

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    A favorite in the U.K., Pimm's and Lemonade is superiorly refreshing. It's typically made with the namesake liqueur and carbonated lemonade and the addition of fresh cucumber, mint, orange, and strawberry screams of summer.

  • 14 of 33

    Apricot Sunray

    Glasses and a pitcher holding Hennessy Black Apricot Sunray Punch

    Foodcollection RF / Getty Images

    Apricots aren't typical in a punch, but they are a fantastic way to brighten up the party. In the Apricot Sunray, the fruit appears in several forms: in a liqueur, as nectar, and finally fresh as garnishing slices. With blood orange juice, cognac, and dry sparkling wine, it comes together beautifully and is perfect for any celebration where you want a unique drink.

  • 15 of 33

    Packer's Punch

    Two pitchers holding Packer's Punch

    Christina Schmidhofer / Getty Images

    Whether you're watching a game or not, the Packer's Punch is a great drink. It's nothing more than a whiskey-spiked sparkling lemonade, but it's a guaranteed hit, and you'll love how easy it is to make.

  • 16 of 33

    Cranberry Fresh Punch

    Glasses holing cranberry fresh gin punch garnished with rosemary, blueberries, and an orange peel

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    When the holidays roll around, you'll want to serve a special punch that celebrates the season. This cranberry fresh punch does the job perfectly. It features a berry-dominant gin, cranberry juice, and allspice dram for a winter-worthy mix.

    Continue to 17 of 33 below
  • 17 of 33

    Pomegranate Champagne Punch

    Overhead of a pomegranate Champagne punch in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats

    Champagne punch adds a little sparkle to a special occasion. This pomegranate and cranberry recipe is fantastic in its simplicity. All your guests will love how well the two fruit juices mix with citrus vodka, cinnamon syrup, Champagne, and ginger ale.

  • 18 of 33

    Cranberry Elderflower Champagne Punch

    Cranberry Elderflower Champagne Punch in Champagne glasses and a punch bowl

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios 

    A bright and flavorful drink, the cranberry elderflower Champagne punch is excellent for any occasion. It adds the soft taste of elderflower liqueur to a sweetened blend of cranberry and lemon juices. The floral fruitiness simply comes to life under the bubbles of sparkling wine.

  • 19 of 33

    Tequila Sangria

    Tequila sangria wine punch in two glasses

    Mizina / Getty Images

    If you have a group that appreciates tequila, look no further than this sangria. It starts like any other sangria with fresh fruits and white wine, but tequila and homemade hibiscus syrup transform it into something that's wonderfully unique.

  • 20 of 33

    Berry Bliss Punch

    An overhead of Midori Berry Bliss Punch in bowl and three glasses

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    With its brilliant green color, the Berry Bliss Punch is a showstopper. It has a captivating flavor of melon liqueur mixed with both vanilla and raspberry vodkas. Pineapple juice and a little soda complete the mix, while red berries add a fun pop of color.

    Continue to 21 of 33 below
  • 21 of 33

    Halloween Harvest Punch

    Two glasses containing Midori Halloween harvest punch

    The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    Two rums and melon liqueur form the base for the Halloween Harvest Punch. It's a great seasonal recipe worth hunting down white cranberry juice and unfiltered apple cider. Apple, blueberry, and melon ball garnishes complete this easy drink.

  • 22 of 33

    Cranberry Ginger Shandy

    Cranberry Ginger Shandy in a glass with a ginger sugar rim

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    The beer and lemonade of the average shandy can inspire many variations. Cranberry juice and ginger beer are added to this shandy alongside fresh lemon juice and pale ale or wheat beer. Rimming glasses with ginger sugar gives each sip an extra layer of flavor.

  • 23 of 33

    Mrs. Claus' Wildside Punch

    Mrs. Claus' wildside punch in a glass

    Johner Images / Getty Images

    ​Despite the name, this punch recipe is fabulous year-round. Mrs. Claus' Wildside Punch is extraordinary with its mix of a fruit liqueur and tequila against a base of pomegranate and cranberry juices. It's festive and fun and perfect for any party—Christmas or otherwise.

  • 24 of 33

    Mulled Wine

    Two glasses of traditional mulled wine on a wooden surface

    The Spruce Eats

    In the winter, warm up your guests with a hot punch like mulled wine. It's a classic that works just as well around the holidays as it does throughout the season. This is only one of the many mulled wine recipes, and it's effortless to prepare, made by simmering warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, plus sliced oranges, in red wine.

    Continue to 25 of 33 below
  • 25 of 33

    Hot Gold Apple Cider

    Two glass coffee mugs with hot gold apple cider

     zi3000 / Getty Images

    Hot apple cider is a cold-weather treat. This Hot Gold Apple Cider adds rum and cinnamon schnapps along with seasonal spices to create an unbelievably aromatic brew that sings of fall and winter.

  • 26 of 33

    Centennial Punch

    Glasses and a pitcher filled with centennial punch

    Stranton Social

    Pineapple-flavored whiskey is the star of this exciting Centennial Punch. The recipe requires a bit of work — there's a homemade pineapple whiskey infusion, coriander-pineapple syrup, and pureed pineapple to prep — but it's worth the effort. Finish it up with caramelized lemon slices, and it's ready for the party.

  • 27 of 33

    Lagoon Punch

    Blue Lagoon Punch in two glasses with a half of a lime off to the side

    Buppha Wuttifery / Getty Images

    Mesmerize party guests with the allure of a beautiful Lagoon Punch. A mix of lychee and blue curaçao liqueurs, it's a relatively low-proof drink that's similar in strength to wine. When topped with club soda, this three-ingredient punch is a sparkling delight.

  • 28 of 33

    Watermelon Punch

    Watermelon punch in glass tumbler glass

    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

    Summer is filled with watermelon, and it's a fantastic fruit for drinks. A nonalcoholic recipe, this watermelon punch combines fresh fruit juice with homemade raspberry lemonade. Bright and delicious, it's a great option for family barbecues and picnics.

    Continue to 29 of 33 below
  • 29 of 33

    Sparkling Nonalcoholic Cranberry Punch

    Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Cranberry Punch in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Rachel Riesgraf

    The sparkling nonalcoholic cranberry punch requires just three ingredients, plus a few seasonal fruits for the garnish. It mixes up quickly and has a lovely fruity flavor to please kids and adults alike.

  • 30 of 33

    Fruit Punch

    Fruit Punch in a bowl with glasses with hooks hanging off of the bowl

    Fotosearch Value / Getty Images 

    Another easy recipe, this fruit punch is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Stop by your grocer's freezer section for orange juice and lemonade, then pick up pineapple juice and ginger ale. Mix it up, and you're done!

  • 31 of 33

    Nonalcoholic Sherbet Punch

    Non-Alcoholic Sherbet Punch in glasses and in a punch bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Preethi Venkatram

    An easy drink that's a crowd favorite, sherbet punch is a green, foamy, citrusy concoction accented with lime sherbet. Whether it's a birthday party, graduation, or Halloween, it's a ton of fun.

  • 32 of 33

    Salted Caramel Apple Punch

    Salted Caramel Apple Punch in glasses and a punch bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    For a fall party, mix up a family-friendly punch that shows off the season. The Salted Caramel Apple Punch is sure to be a hit, combining apple cider, orange juice, and caramel syrup. Have fun with the garnishes to set the celebration into full swing.

    Continue to 33 of 33 below
  • 33 of 33

    Thanksgiving Punch

    Thanksgiving Punch

    The Spruce/Madhumita Sathishkumar

    A spiced syrup adds a brilliant seasonal flair to apple cider in this Thanksgiving punch. It includes cranberries, as well as apple and orange slices, with loads of fruity sparkle. Mix it up for a holiday gathering, and there's no need to worry about other drinks.