Want To Know The Secret To The Best Southern Celebration? A Party Punch

This tasty party punch recipe is fruity and refreshing, a delightful sipper for teas, showers, or even just backyard parties. The tartness of the cranberries helps to balance out the sweetness of the watermelon for a perfect pairing—light, and not cloyingly sweet.

The pretty punch is a guaranteed party hit, but if you’re making it boozy, beware: You can barely taste the alcohol, and it goes down dangerously smooth.

Learn how to make party punch, and you’re sure to find many reasons to bring this out at gatherings.

Party Punch Ingredients

To make party punch, you’ll need:

• Cranberry-watermelon juice: This juice blend has a perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors.
• Frozen limeade from concentrate: The concentrate keeps the lime flavor intense without watering out the punch. It also doesn’t make the punch extra bitter the way a lot of fresh lime juice could.
• Vodka or white rum (optional): This isn’t needed, but it is welcome—and it makes this one potent punch.
• Ginger ale: For the wonderful fizz you expect from a good punch.
• An orange: Makes for a beautiful floating addition to the punch. You could also freeze them in an ice ring.
• Fresh strawberries: These will be extra delicious to eat after they’ve been floating in the punch for a bit.
• Ice for serving: To keep the punch cooled, ice cubes are great, but we’re always fans of an ice ring. Avoid watery punch by freezing some of the juices in the ice ring.

How To Make Party Punch

This punch recipe couldn’t be easier. It’s a great one to stir up just before guests arrive so it’s fizzy and fresh. The full recipe is further below.

• Step 1. Combine ingredients: Stir together the juice, limeade, and alcohol (if you’re using it), in a large punch bowl or pitcher.
• Step 2. Chill: If it’s not already chilled, refrigerate it for an hour.
• Step 3. Add final ingredients: When you’re ready to serve, add ginger ale, orange slices, and strawberries. Serve chilled with ice. 

What Is the Alcohol Ratio for Punch?

The ideal alcoholic strength for punch is about 5 to 6 percent. You don’t want it to be too strong, or it may be undrinkable. By that logic, for this punch, you will want 6 ounces or 3/4 cup for a final result containing 6 percent alcohol.

Party Punch Tips

A punch may be an easy large-batch beverage, but there are still ways it could go wrong. Our Test Kitchen shares tips for getting this punch right time after time.

• Time your pours: Don’t add the sparkling beverage portion of your punch too early; it will go flat and you’ll lose the effervescence. 
• Consider the fruit: Do not substitute blueberries, blackberries, or other small berries if you’re serving the punch from a drink dispenser: They sink to the bottom and clog the spout. (Cranberries float, so they’re fine.)
• Use ice cubes if you can: Avoid adding ice to the punch itself since it’ll start to dilute the drink as it melts. Instead, place ice in cups for individual servings. 

Party Punch Recipe Variations

If you want to try something a little different, you can mix things up with these ideas:

• Spicy sipper: Use ginger beer in place of ginger ale for a spicier version of this punch. 
• Change the garnishes: Use thinly sliced limes as a colorful garnish option.
• Consider the season: Use this recipe as a foundation and add seasonal berries like strawberries, blueberries, or even raspberries as you like.

How Can I Keep Punch Cold Without Diluting It?

There are several ways to keep a punch chilled without diluting it. Freeze some of the punch ahead of time and add it to the bowl, make an ice ring in a Bundt pan, or use frozen fruit in place of fresh fruit.

How Much Punch Do I Need for My Party?

The general rule is to provide one gallon of punch for every 10 guests. A conservative estimate assumes each guest will drink about three servings of four ounces each. (If you’re also providing other beverages, reduce the amount of punch you make.)

Can You Make Party Punch Ahead?

The punch (without the ginger ale) can be made and refrigerated for up to one week. Add the ginger ale right before serving. Or, the punch without ginger ale can be frozen and then thawed a day before serving. 

More Great Punch Recipes

Every Southern party needs a good punch. These are a few more of our favorites:

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