19 Party Punch Recipes for All Kinds of Celebrations

By Food & Wine
Updated October 19, 2020
Credit: Christopher Testani
When you’re entertaining, punch is a no-brainer. It allows you to have drinks batched and ready to go, so guests can serve themselves as they please throughout the party. (Plus, it saves you from having to whip up individual cocktails, too.) Spicy margarita punch for hot summer days; citrus-Champagne punch for the holidays; a play on a Dark and Stormy for Halloween. We have party punch recipes for all kinds of occasions, whether you want festive drinks for Christmas or New Year’s Eve, or something low-fuss for a casual dinner. Read on for plenty of options so you can start planning your menu.
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Citrus, Brandy and Pineapple Punch

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This easy brandy cocktail from drinks artisan Chris Harrison is mildly sweet and nicely boozy, with a bit of spice from nutmeg.

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Sunset Punch

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All you need for this simple punch is bourbon, white vermouth, fresh lemon juice, ginger beer, and simple syrup.

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Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

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This bubbly, sweet-tart cocktail combines sparkling wine, dessert wine and deep-red pomegranate juice.

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Rum Punch

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This recipe is easy to multiply for crowds. To ensure that a large batch stays chilled without becoming watery, serve it in a punch bowl set in a larger bowl of crushed ice.

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Kill Devil Punch

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Bartender Phil Ward is obsessed with traditional recipes, which he learns by heart (he has a photographic memory), then tweaks. He cools his Kill Devil Punch with a block of raspberry ice that releases berries into the bowl as it melts.

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Italian Spritz Punch

Credit: © Tina Rupp
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Mixologist Agostino Perrone created this simple sparkling punch. “It would be a great aperitif for a large dinner party,” says Wayne Collins; he recommends serving it in teacups.

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Pisco Punch

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The Pisco Punch was invented in San Francisco during the late 1800s. One of the drink's key ingredients, pineapple gum syrup, has only recently become available again.

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Pomegranate Punch with Prosecco

Credit: © Frances Janisch
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When entertaining Maria Helm Sinskey likes to serve refreshing punches like this one, made with tart-sweet pomegranate juice and finished with Prosecco.

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Felicitation Punch

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In this pleasantly tart punch, David Wondrich mixes Irish whiskey with gin to mimic the taste of a richer, older style of gin.

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Dark and Stormy Death Punch

Credit: © David Malosh
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This is Grace Parisi's take on the Dark and Stormy, a classic rum and ginger beer drink. Floating in the punch bowl are round ice cubes made with lychee syrup and lychees stuffed with brandied cherries, which have an uncanny resemblance to eyeballs—perfect for Halloween.

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Punch Parker

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Mixologist Allen Katz uses his own Dorothy Parker gin to make this fruity punch.

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Ginger Shandies

Credit: © Tina Rupp
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These super-easy drinks are made with Hoegaarden, ginger beer, mint and lemon.

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Po Po Punch

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This citrusy, tiki-style punch is from mixologist Joaquín Simó. It features orange-spiced Ramazzotti Amaro (a bittersweet herbal Italian digestif) and homemade orange cordial.

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Wine Punch with Melon Ice Cubes

Credit: © Ryan Dausch
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Derek Brown sweetens this Riesling-based punch with honey syrup. Keeping it cool are frozen melon balls, which are fun to eat once they start to thaw.

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Anjou Punch

Credit: Nicole Franzen
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Leo Robitschek makes his perfect holiday punch with warming flavors of pear, cinnamon and citrus.

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Spicy Margarita Punch

Credit: © Con Poulos
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This recipe from Justin Chapple makes a punch, flavored with jalapeño, cucumber, cilantro, mint, and more, that can also be made as Margarita Jellies. 

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Far from the Tree

Credit: Christopher Testani
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Layers of apple flavor, from cold-pressed juice, brandy, hard cider, and fresh apple slices, give this not-too-boozy punch an autumnal feel.

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Grilled Pineapple–Tequila Punch

Credit: Greg Dupree
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This punch from Paula Disbrowe includes blanco tequila, Ancho Reyes Verde (poblano liqueur), pineapple juice, lime juice, grilled fresh pineapple, and Topo Chico for serving—plus, a few garnishes like jalapeño slices for even more flavor.

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Citrus-Champagne Punch

Credit: Justin Walker
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Inspired by old-school 7-UP sherbet punch, this grown-up version is spiked with piney gin, tart lemon sorbet, and a generous splash of fizzy Champagne. This punch is only as good as the Champagne you use, so splurge on the good stuff!

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