Summer is the time when we soak up the sun outdoors and enjoy extra time with loved ones—especially with fun summer celebrations. Whether you’re planning a menu for a birthday party, a retirement celebration, or a housewarming, cocktails always liven up the party. Best of all? You can use different flavors to highlight your theme inspirations. Think tiki drinks for a Hawaiian theme, or bubbly for a slightly more refined affair.
Rather than assigning bartender duties to someone who will miss out on some of the fun, mix up these punches for your festive fete. Keep the sipping fun and responsible!
Breezy “Rum” Punch
Originally consumed by sailors as an alternative to beer, the classic rum punch has been around since the 17th century. In time, it gained popularity in mainland Britain and has been enjoyed by party-goers ever since. While our recipe doesn’t include rum, it still packs a punch. This “Rum” Punch is an easy cocktail to mix up in a batch and enjoy all afternoon.
Ingredients:
- 2 c vodka 1 750 mL bottle La Marca Prosecco
- 2 L bottle of lemon lime soda
- 2 c pineapple juice
- 2 c orange juice
- 2 c raspberries
- 2 c sliced strawberries
- Fresh mint
Combine all liquid ingredients and stir carefully to fully incorporate. Add fruit to the concoction, and carefully stir again. Gently ladle into cups, then top with mint garnish. Be sure to use a container with a lid, and store on ice. Sip, sip, enjoy!
Tiki Afternoon Punch
Tiki drinks gained popularity in the early 1930s, when the man best known as Donn Beach started mixing up these delightful libations. Many of these cocktails were quite elaborate, created with 10 or more ingredients. Our Tiki Afternoon Punch is a simplified version of those classic drinks.
Ingredients:
- 1 750 mL bottle Seagrams Vodka
- 2 c fresh lime juice
- 3 c pineapple juice
- Lime wheels
- Pineapple wheels
- Mint
- Maraschino cherries
In a glass beverage dispenser, combine all liquid ingredients. Stir gently to fully incorporate flavors. Add in lime wheels and pineapple wheels, and gently stir. Add ice to the concoction and cover. After dispensing into cups, garnish with mint and a Maraschino cherry.
Bubbly Punch
We love a good fizzy cocktail, especially ones that take advantage of the bright, bold flavors of a classic Prosecco. Prosecco is the Italian counterpart of your classic champagne, but it features flavors that are a bit sweeter and lighter, like honeydew and pear. The bubbles are also less aggressive—instead of being in the nose, they are light and soft. We think Prosecco is the perfect complement to a fun summer punch.
Ingredients:
- 1 750 mL bottle Ruffino Prosecco
- 1 c Svedka Vanilla vodka
- 3 c pineapple juice
- 3 c seltzer water
- 2 c pineapple wedges
- 2 peaches, sliced thinly
- Ice
- Extra pineapple wedges
- Mint
Combine all the liquid ingredients in a large, screw top jar. Stir gently to fully incorporate. Add 2 c pineapple wedges, sliced peaches and ice, and gently stir these ingredients into the liquid mixture. Close the lid. After dispensing, top the beverage with a pineapple wedge and mint. Enjoy.
Payless Liquors has everything you need to make these fantastic summer punches. Stop in and concoct your favorite!
