Grinch Punch

Alright, picture this: you’re throwing a holiday party, you want something festive, and you don’t want to drown everyone in eggnog. Enter Grinch Punch—bright green, slightly suspicious, and totally irresistible. I first made this for a family get-together and watched it disappear faster than I expected. Want something fun and easy that screams holiday cheer (and mild mischief)? You’re in the right place. If you enjoy themed desserts, you might also like these grinch mini cheesecakes I tried once — total crowd-pleasers.

 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super simple to make — no bartending degree required.
• Kid-friendly and adult-approved — you can spike it or leave it virgin.
• Instantly festive — the color alone lifts holiday spirits.
• Crowd-pleaser for parties — scales up without drama.
• Quick cleanup — one bowl and you’re basically done.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredient:

• 2 cups lime sherbet
• 4 cups pineapple juice
• 2 cups lemon-lime soda (chilled)
• 1 cup lime juice
• Sliced lime for garnish
• Sliced pineapple for garnish

I list everything above so you can eyeball quantities fast. Want to double it? Go ahead. I often double it and pretend I planned ahead.

How to Make (Step-by-Step)

Method:

Step 1 — Combine the juices

In a large punch bowl, combine the pineapple juice and lime juice. Stir for about 10–15 seconds so the flavors start to mingle. Ever noticed how pineapple makes everything feel like a tropical vacation? Yeah, use that.

Step 2 — Add the sherbet

Stir in the lime sherbet until it starts to dissolve. The sherbet gives the punch that creamy froth and the signature green vibe. I usually plop in scoops and then swirl with a big ladle.

Step 3 — Top with soda

Slowly add the lemon-lime soda and mix gently. Pouring too fast creates foam catastrophes, unless you’re into that kind of chaos. The soda brings fizz and balances the sweetness.

Step 4 — Serve and garnish

Serve immediately in cups garnished with lime and pineapple slices. If you wait too long, the sherbet melts and the punch gets… well, still tasty, just less photogenic.

Pro Tips for the Best Results

• Use chilled ingredients to keep the punch frosty without diluting it too fast.
• Add sherbet last so it foams beautifully on top instead of disappearing.
• Garnish creatively — tiny umbrella? Go for it. I won’t judge.
• Spike only half if you host both kids and adults. Let the nonalcoholic version sit on the same table and move the boozy bowl away.
• Make it ahead? Mix the juices the day before and pop them in the fridge. Add sherbet and soda just before serving.
• Avoid flattened soda — pour the soda right before serving for maximum fizz.

Fun Variations & Topping Ideas

Variations:

• Boozy Grinch Punch: Add 1–2 cups of rum or vodka for adult-only parties. I usually go with light rum — it keeps the vibe tropical.
• Citrus Twist: Replace 1 cup pineapple juice with orange juice for extra tang.
• Herbal Kick: Drop in a few torn mint leaves for a fresh note. Mint makes it look fancy, even if you didn’t earn the look.

Toppings:

• Sugar-rimmed cups for extra glam.
• Colored sprinkles if you serve this to kids (and no one will judge).
• Fresh mint or rosemary for a slightly sophisticated aroma.
• Mini gummy hearts for the Grinch theme — playful and completely unnecessary, but cute.

Storing and Reheating

Okay, punch isn’t really a leftover you “reheat,” but here’s how to handle extras:

• Refrigerating: Pour leftover punch into a sealed pitcher and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The soda will lose fizz and the sherbet will mostly melt. You’ll still have tasty juice, promise.
• Reviving fizz: If the soda went flat, add chilled lemon-lime soda or sparkling water before serving to refresh it.
• No reheating: Don’t heat this punch. Heating ruins the fizz and the texture, and honestly, that’s not a vibe. If you want warm holiday drinks, make cider separately.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What if I don’t have lime sherbet?

Use lemon or lime sorbet if that’s all you have. The texture and flavor will change slightly, but the result stays fun and bright.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes. Use a dairy-free lime sorbet/shrbet alternative. I tried a coconut-lime sorbet once and it worked well — slightly more tropical, slightly less traditional.

How much alcohol should I add for a party?

Start with 1 cup of light rum per batch for mild strength, or 2 cups if you want guests to feel merry fast. Taste-test as you go — you control the chaos.

Can I prepare a non-carbonated version?

Totally. Replace the lemon-lime soda with chilled sparkling water or omit it entirely. It loses fizz but remains drinkable and refreshing.

Why did my punch get foamy and flat quickly?

If you stirred aggressively after adding soda, you let the CO2 escape. Stir gently and add the soda right before serving to keep it bubbly.

Conclusion

This Grinch Punch hits all the sweet spots: it looks festive, it tastes great, and it barely asks you to work. Make the juices ahead if you’re busy, save the sherbet and soda for the finish, and consider a boozy and a virgin bowl if you play host to a mixed crowd. Will it steal Christmas? No. Will it steal the snack table? Absolutely.

If you want another reader-tested version to compare, check out this Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons’ Grinch Punch recipe for a slightly different spin and extra serving ideas.

I’d love to hear how yours turns out — leave a comment and a rating if you tried it. FYI, I judge parties only by how good the punch is, so don’t disappoint me. IMO, garnish matters.