Party Punch Recipes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

A collection of recipes for the perfect party sipper.

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Punch It Up

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Spring Gin Punch

Punch takes the title as the ultimate beverage for home gatherings. Essentially a few rounds of cocktails made in advance, punch prevents an unsightly clutter of bottles and mixers and eliminates the need for anyone—host or guest—to spend precious party time mixing up drinks. Above all, punch is delicious hospitality in a bowl.

With a little prep and basic measurement, anyone can create an original punch—no professional mixology skills required. Concocting your own is simply a matter of keeping all components in balance. As always, taste before serving so you can tweak as necessary.

First up is our Spring Gin Punch, a citrusy, herb-infused punch that is bright, flavorful, and refreshing.

See more: Tips and tricks for making effortlessly elegant ice blocks.

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Citrusy Gin and Blood Orange Punch

Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee

View Recipe: Citrusy Gin and Blood Orange Punch

If the word "punch" makes you think of old-fashioned, too-sweet concoctions, this drink will be a revelation. Don't skip the oleo saccharum stage: The mix of oils and other citrus flavors that come from the muddling gives amazing body to the final drink.

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Cider Sangria

Photo: Peter Frank Edwards

View Recipe: Cider Sangria

Make the most of day-old wine by turning it into a lightly spiced, brandy-enhanced punch. Throw in some fresh fruit to soak up the flavors, and you have a happy, crowd-pleasing concoction.

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Sparkling Spanish Punch

Photo: Ryan Liebe

View Recipe: Sparkling Spanish Punch

This punch is based on the classic formula of the great recipes of the 17th and 18th centuries, most of which started with sugar soaked in lemon or orange oil. Here, clementines are used instead, and all the spirits come from Spain. Spanish brandy is less well-known in the U.S. than cognac, but it is delicious and a great bargain, and the same could be said for cava, Spain's answer to Champagne.

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Watermelon-Ginger Punch

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Watermelon-Ginger Punch

Loosely based on a Korean watermelon and ginger beverage, this refreshingly sweet drink will maximize lycopene if you allow the whole fruit to ripen at room temperature instead of putting it in the fridge right after purchase. You can chill the punch (and any leftover melon) for up to two days without significantly reducing the amount of antioxidant in the fruit.

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Mango Punch

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Mango Punch

Don't judge a mango by its color—it isn't a good sign of ripeness. Instead, choose a mango that gives slightly when you gently squeeze it.

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Milk Punch

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Milk Punch

This old-fashioned drink is reminiscent of decadent egg custard. You can easily double or triple the speedy recipe to serve a bigger crowd.

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Whiskey Sour Punch

Photo: Marcus Nilsson

View Recipe: Whiskey Sour Punch

Look for fresh orange juice in the refrigerated part of the produce department.

Make-ahead tip: Combine all ingredients except club soda up to two days ahead; gently stir in club soda shortly before serving.

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Candy Apple Punch

Photo: Howard L. Puckett

View Recipe: Candy Apple Punch

Cinnamon candies and cranberry-apple drink help give this party-ready punch its fun, bright red color. For a toddy version, adults can substitute 1 cup rum for 1 cup water.

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Rum Punch

Photo: Douglas Merrian and Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Rum Punch

It’s hard to beat the relaxing Caribbean flavors of this fruity rum punch. “I made this punch for a Girls' Night party. It was a big hit,” raves Theresa. “I couldn’t refill the punch bowl fast enough!”

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Planter's Punch

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Planter's Punch

A combination of sweet guava nectar, cool fruit juices, and rum create an island cocktail that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Annjones389 says, “It tastes exactly like what you would expect to get on a tropical vacation. You can substitute passion fruit or another tropical juice if you can't find guava nectar, and it is just as good!”

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Spicy Rum Punch

Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Spicy Rum Punch

This cocktail kicks up staid mulled wine to a whole new level. Cranberry-pineapple juice is steeped with spices and combined with complex dark rum and spicy, sparkling ginger beer for a fizzy, peppery, and altogether refreshing experience.

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Teo's Punch

Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Teo's Punch

Adults should eat 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit each day, according to the FDA. Each 8-ounce glass of this easy-to-make drink takes care of about half of that, in a most delicious manner. Add some rum to the mix for an excellent outdoor party sipper.

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Hot Spiced Cheer

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

View Recipe: Hot Spiced Cheer

If you don't have cheesecloth, remove tea leaves from an ordinary tea bag, fill the empty bag with cloves and ginger, and tie it securely with the tea bag string: let the cinnamon sticks float separately while simmering. Serve in decorative punch bowl alongside a small pitcher of rum marked with a label or card. You may want to have an extra sachet and more of the cider mixture handy in case you have thirsty guests.

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1 of 14

Punch It Up

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Citrusy Gin and Blood Orange Punch

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Cider Sangria

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Sparkling Spanish Punch

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Watermelon-Ginger Punch

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Mango Punch

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Milk Punch

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Whiskey Sour Punch

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Candy Apple Punch

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Rum Punch

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Planter's Punch

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Spicy Rum Punch

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Teo's Punch

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Hot Spiced Cheer

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