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Summer Punch: easy fruit punch for parties — Drinks recipe | AfoodrinkDrinks

Summer Punch

This bright, fizzy summer punch is made with pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, lime, ginger ale, and fresh fruit. It is easy to mix in a pitcher or punch bowl and works for cookouts, showers, picnics, and暑?

Total time
15 min
Yield
12 servings
Difficulty
Easy

Prep 15mCook 0mAmericanDrinks

Summer punch should be cold, colorful, and easy to pour. This version keeps things simple with familiar juices, a little fresh lime, bubbly ginger ale, and plenty of sliced fruit.

It is nonalcoholic, so it can sit on the table for guests of different ages. Add the fizzy ingredients right before serving so the punch stays lively instead of flat.

Use a large pitcher if you are serving a small group, or a punch bowl for a party. Either way, chill the juices first so you do not have to water the punch down with too much ice.

01What you'll need

Ingredients

10 items · 12 servings

  • 4 cups chilled 100% pineapple juice
  • 3 cups chilled orange juice
  • 2 cups chilled cranberry juice cocktail
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, from about 2 limes
  • 2 cups chilled ginger ale
  • 2 cups chilled sparkling water
  • 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
  • 1 medium orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups ice, plus more for serving

02How to make it

Step-by-step

  1. 1. Chill the juices

    Place the pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice cocktail, ginger ale, and sparkling water in the refrigerator until very cold. Cold ingredients keep the punch flavorful and reduce the need for extra ice.

  2. 2. Slice the fruit

    Wash the strawberries, orange, and lemon. Slice the strawberries and cut the citrus into thin rounds. Remove any large visible seeds from the lemon and orange slices.

  3. 3. Mix the juice base

    In a large pitcher or punch bowl, stir together the pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice cocktail, and fresh lime juice. This is the punch base, and it can be mixed ahead.

  4. 4. Add the fruit

    Add the sliced strawberries, orange, and lemon to the juice base. Stir gently so the fruit is coated but not crushed.

  5. 5. Chill briefly

    Refrigerate the punch base for at least 30 minutes if you have time. This helps the fruit flavor the juice and keeps the final drink extra cold.

  6. 6. Add the bubbles

    Just before serving, pour in the chilled ginger ale and sparkling water. Stir slowly with a long spoon. A gentle stir keeps more of the bubbles in the punch.

  7. 7. Serve over ice

    Add 2 cups of ice to the punch bowl or pitcher, or place ice in each glass. Ladle or pour the punch into glasses, making sure each serving gets a little fruit.

03From our kitchen

Cook's tips

  • Make-ahead: Mix the juices, lime juice, and sliced fruit up to 8 hours ahead. Keep covered in the refrigerator. Add the ginger ale, sparkling water, and ice just before serving.
  • Storage: Leftover punch can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, but it will lose its fizz. Strain out the fruit after the first day if you want the flavor to stay cleaner and less bitter from the citrus peel.
  • For less sweetness: Replace the ginger ale with more sparkling water, or use unsweetened cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail. If using unsweetened cranberry juice, taste before serving because it is quite tart.
  • Fruit swaps: Use peaches, raspberries, blueberries, pineapple chunks, or watermelon cubes. Softer fruit, like raspberries, can break down, so stir gently.
  • Serving tip: If the punch will sit out for more than 1 hour, place the punch bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice. This keeps the drink cold without diluting it too quickly.
  • Flavor boost: Freeze some pineapple juice or orange juice in an ice cube tray and use those cubes in place of regular ice.

Cook's note

Nutrition is calculated per serving using the listed juices, ginger ale, sparkling water, and fruit. Ice is not counted because it adds no calories or nutrients. Values are estimates and can change depending on the exact juice brands used.

04Frequently asked

Questions & answers

Can I make summer punch the night before?

Yes, but only make the juice and fruit base ahead. Stir together the juices and lime juice, add the sliced fruit, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Add ginger ale, sparkling water, and ice right before serving.

Can I make this punch without soda?

Yes. Replace the ginger ale with more sparkling water for a less sweet punch. If you still want a ginger flavor, add a few thin slices of fresh ginger to the juice base while it chills, then remove them before serving if desired.

How do I keep punch from getting watery?

Start with chilled ingredients and add ice at the last minute. You can also freeze juice into cubes and use those instead of water ice. For parties, keep extra punch chilled in the refrigerator and refill the bowl as needed.

Can I add alcohol for adults?

You can, if serving adults only. Vodka, white rum, or sparkling wine are common choices. Add alcohol to individual glasses rather than the whole bowl if children or non-drinkers will also be served.

What size pitcher do I need?

This recipe makes a little over 12 cups before ice and fruit displacement, so use a very large pitcher, a drink dispenser, or a punch bowl that holds at least 4 quarts.

05Per serving

Nutrition facts

Nutrition Facts

12 servings

Amount per serving

Calories121

% Daily Value*

Total Fat0 g
0%
Saturated Fat0 g
0%
Cholesterol0 mg
0%
Sodium9 mg
0%
Total Carbohydrate30 g
11%
Dietary Fiber1 g
4%
Total Sugars24 g
Protein1 g
2%
Vitamin D0 mcg
0%
Calcium27 mg
2%
Iron0.5 mg
3%
Potassium291 mg
6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

05Keep cooking

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