Grinch Punch

A fizzy, festive green punch that’s easy to make, great for parties, and can be boozy or family-friendly ready in 10 minutes.

Why you’ll fall in love with this Grinch Punch

Because it looks unapologetically green and tastes like a party in a glass: bright pineapple, fizzy lemon-lime sparkle, and a cheeky melon liqueur kick if you want to adult-ify it. It’s fast, crowd-pleasing, and brings instant holiday fun — without complicated steps or hiding in the kitchen all night.

Tools you’ll need

Large punch bowl or pitcher (at least 2–3 liters / quarts)
Measuring cups (1 cup, ½ cup)
Long spoon or ladle for stirring and serving
Citrus knife and cutting board (for lime garnish)
Glasses and optional sugar-rim plate or small shallow bowl
Ice bucket or large ice tray

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

2 cups (16 fl oz / 480 ml) lemon-lime soda (Sprite, 7UP), chilled
2 cups (16 fl oz / 480 ml) pineapple juice, chilled
1 cup (8 fl oz / 240 ml) green Hawaiian Punch or green Kool-Aid concentrate (prepared)
1 cup (8 fl oz / 240 ml) vodka — optional for a boozy version
½ cup (4 fl oz / 120 ml) melon liqueur (Midori or similar) — optional, adds color and sweetness
Ice (as desired)

Garnish ideas: lime slices, maraschino cherries, green sanding sugar for rimming

Step-by-step directions

Chill everything first. Put the soda and juices in the fridge for at least 30 minutes beforehand so the punch stays bright and fizzy when served.
Combine the base. In your punch bowl or large pitcher, pour in the chilled pineapple juice and the green Hawaiian Punch (or prepared Kool-Aid). Stir gently.
Add spirits and liqueur (if using). Pour in the vodka and the melon liqueur. Stir again until the liquids are homogenous. Pause and inhale — it smells like holiday mischief.
Keep the fizz for last. Just before serving, slowly pour the chilled lemon-lime soda into the mixture so you preserve the bubbles. Stir once gently to combine.
Prepare glasses (optional). Rim glasses with a lime wedge, then dip into green sanding sugar for a sparkly edge.
Serve. Fill each glass with ice, ladle punch over ice, and garnish with a lime slice or maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.

Prep & timing

Active prep time: 10 minutes
Chill time (recommended): 30 minutes to 1 hour for best cold/fizz results
Total time: ~10–70 minutes depending on chilling

Approximate nutrition (per serving) — estimated

Note: these are estimates based on common product averages. Alcohol adds calories; non-alcoholic version is lower.

For the full recipe as written (with vodka + melon liqueur):

Batch total: ~1,475 kcal
Per serving (if you divide into 6): ~246 kcal
Per serving (if you divide into 8): ~184 kcal

For the non-alcoholic version (omit vodka + melon liqueur):

Batch total: ~551 kcal
Per serving (6): ~92 kcal
Per serving (8): ~69 kcal

Macros (rough, per serving with alcohol, assuming 8 servings):

Calories: ~184 kcal
Carbohydrates / sugars: primarily from juices and soda (majority of calories)
Protein & fat: negligible

(If you need precise nutritional labels for packaging or medical reasons, use a nutrition calculator and the exact brands/volumes you plan to use.)

Tips for guaranteed success

Chill everything — cold juices and soda preserve fizz and flavor. If any ingredient is warm, the punch will taste flat and overly sweet.
Add the soda last to keep carbonation. If you mix soda early and refrigerate, it will lose effervescence.
Taste as you go: brands vary in sweetness. If it’s too sweet, add a squeeze of fresh lime or some sparkling water to balance. If it’s too tart, a splash more Hawaiian Punch or a teaspoon of simple syrup will smooth it out.
Ice strategy: use a separate ice bucket or ice ring; oversized ice or an ice ring keeps punch from diluting quickly. Alternatively, freeze some of the punch into ice cubes (non-alcoholic portion or diluted cubes) to chill without watering down.
Rimming sugar: for a perfect sugar rim, wet the glass rim with lime, then roll in green sanding sugar. Do this just before serving so sugar stays intact.

Variations & substitutions

Non-alcoholic (family-friendly): Omit vodka and melon liqueur; increase pineapple juice or add extra lemon-lime soda and a splash of lime juice for brightness.
Lower sugar: use diet lemon-lime soda or top with sparkling water and reduce Hawaiian Punch to cut sugar. Be aware flavor will be less sweet.
Tropical twist: swap vodka for coconut rum, or add a splash of orange juice for citrus complexity.
Sparkling wine version: for an adults-only, bubbly take — replace the lemon-lime soda with chilled prosecco or champagne right before serving (use less to avoid overpowering).
Frozen slushie punch: freeze half the non-alcoholic base into an ice block and blend with remaining liquid for a slushy party version. Add alcoholic spirits after blending, if desired.

Storage & reheating (yes — we’ll address reheating)

Storage: Grinch Punch is best served fresh and chilled. Store leftovers in a covered container or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. If the punch contains alcohol, it will keep a bit longer (up to 48 hours) but the fizz and freshness decline.
Avoid leaving at room temperature for extended periods, especially if juices are involved.
Reheating: Do not reheat punch. This drink is meant to be chilled and fizzy; heating destroys carbonation and fresh fruit character. If you want a warm green holiday drink, consider making a separate warm spiced cider and infusing it with a small amount of melon liqueur or green-tinted garnish — but that’s a different recipe.
Refreshing stored punch: If you store punch and it’s flat, revive by stirring in fresh chilled lemon-lime soda or sparkling water just before serving. Add fresh ice and garnish.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes — assemble the non-soda components (pineapple juice, Hawaiian Punch, vodka/midori) up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Add soda and ice just before serving.

Q: How can I make it less sweet?
A: Cut the Hawaiian Punch by half and replace the volume with chilled sparkling water or extra pineapple juice with a squeeze of lime. Using diet soda will reduce sugar but change mouthfeel.

Q: Can children drink this?
A: Make a non-alcoholic batch by omitting vodka and melon liqueur, or prepare a separate alcohol-free pitcher. You can float a small amount of grenadine or use maraschino cherries for fun garnish.

Q: What’s the best glass to serve it in?
A: Any wide punch glass or highball works well. Sugar-rimmed coupe or stemmed glasses look festive, but tumblers are perfectly acceptable for casual parties.

Q: Can I make it in large quantities for a party?
A: Absolutely. Multiply ingredients in the same ratio. For very large batches, hold soda separately in bottles and add to the bowl in stages to maintain fizz.

Final friendly nudge

This Grinch Punch is an instant mood-lifter: bold green, fizzy, and playful. Make the non-alcoholic version for kids and a boozy batch for adults, or split the base and do both. It takes ten minutes to prepare and will be the easiest hit at your holiday table — the kind of recipe that sparks laughter, photos, and a little harmless mischief. Try it, taste it, tweak it — then tell me how you jazzed it up.