When it comes to hosting a big party—I’m talking your annual backyard bash or even a bridal shower—big batch recipes are a must. This goes for drinks, too! Skip mixing up cocktails one by one and instead break out your punch bowl. Simple punch recipes are great for these parties. Just stir and serve—no need to keep refreshing drinks all night. And if you’re hosting an adults-only affair, why not add some kick with an easy vodka punch? I’ll show you how to mix one up.
How to Make Fruity Vodka Punch
To make a great vodka punch, start with a great punch recipe, like this one, and then add the liquor of your choice. For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 2 packages frozen strawberries (10 ounces each), thawed
- 4 cans apricot nectar (5-1/2 ounces each)
- 3/4 cup orange juice concentrate
- 3 cups cold water
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 liter ginger ale, chilled
- 2-3 cups vodka (depending on how strong you’d like it)
For the ice ring, you’ll need:
- 1-3/4 cups orange juice
- 1-1/2 cups water
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
- Fresh mint sprigs
Yield: 16 servings
Step 1: Prep Your Ice Ring
To add some flair to your punch, you can make a simple ice ring in either a gelatin mold or bundt pan—here are our faves. Prep this a day or so in advance so it really has time to set. Making one is easy: Add orange juice, water, strawberries and mint to your container and you’re done. Since this ice ring is full of orange juice and fruit, it will add flavor (not dilute) the punch as it melts.
Step 2: Blend Your Berries
To get a pronounced berry flavor in your punch, you’ll want to blend your strawberries first. This is simple—just add your thawed strawberries to a blender and puree until smooth. Done!
If you don’t have a traditional blender, a compact immersion blender works well, too.
Step 3: Stir Your Vodka Punch Together
All that’s left with this simple recipe is to stir it together. Pour your puree into the base of a punch bowl. Then add your apricot nectar, orange juice concentrate, water, lemon juice and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Next, add your vodka. If you want a punch with a real punch, three cups is just right, but two cups is a great ratio for something a bit more mild. Right before serving, add your ginger ale and carefully place your ice ring in the punch bowl.
The Finishing Touches
This vodka fruit punch recipe is pretty and delicious all on its own, but you can always use some extra flair, right? This video shows you how to decorate your punch bowl with flowers for a gorgeous floral crown effect. How pretty would that be for a wedding shower or a Mother’s Day celebration?
Flower decorations or no, this is an incredibly refreshing and delicious vodka punch worthy of every single one of its five-star reviews. Now dust off that punch bowl and plan your party! For the holidays, try out our easy Christmas punch recipes!
Try these other crowd-pleasing vodka drinks.
These Batch Cocktails Are Worth Trying, Too!
Champagne PunchA blend of four fruit juices pairs well with bubbly champagne in this party-pleasing punch. A strawberry garnish adds a festive touch. —Amy Short, Lesage, West Virginia
Watermelon MargaritasSummer’s best flavors get frosty in the cocktail we serve at all our backyard shindigs. We mix sun-ripened watermelon and our favorite tequila with just the right amount of ice for a thick and boozy sipper that’s perfect when we’re grilling and chilling.—Alicia Cummings, Marshalltown, Iowa
Easy Irish CreamStir up this fast and easy recipe for a potluck brunch. There's plenty of coffee flavor in every cozy cup.—Anna Hansen, Park City, Utah
Peach Wine CoolersThe fantastic flavors of honey, wine and brandy come through to make a special drink for Easter brunch. It's like sunshine in a glass!—Annie Hendricks, Burbank, California
Rhubarb Lemonade SlushMy family loves rhubarb, and this is such a fun way to enjoy it. It's nice to have in the freezer and bring out when guests drop by. Even people that aren't crazy about rhubarb enjoy it. —Cathie Beard, Philomath, Oregon
Lemon-Basil Mojito MocktailsIn this twist on the classic summer beverage, lemon and basil take the place of mint. For a grown-up version, just add your favorite rum or vodka. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Sangria WineMy citrus-spiked wine is always the life of the party, whether I serve it on a hot summer evening or a chilly winter day. The bubbles give it some extra pop. —Colleen Sturma, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bourbon SlushAt our holiday parties, Bourbon Slush is definitely a favorite. Have fun experimenting with different teas when you make it. We like black tea, green tea and orange spice. —Darcene Sigler, Louisville, Ohio
Summertime TeaYou can’t have a summer gathering around here without this sweet tea to cool you down. It’s wonderful for sipping while basking by the pool. —Angela Lively, Baxter, Tennessee
Bubbly Champagne PunchThis champagne punch, served at my wedding, continues to this day to be the elegant drink we serve at special events. —Anita Geoghagan, Woodstock, Georgia
Orange Dream MimosasYour inner child will love this fun riff on the classic mimosa. Use sparkling cider, ginger ale or sparkling grape juice for a nonalcoholic version. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Spiced White SangriaI've been making this recipe for more than 20 years. My husband and I are in the wine and spirits business and we served it at one of our first dinner parties after we were married. It's a refreshing change from traditional red sangria. —Ellen Folkman, Crystal Beach, Florida
CoquitoAn all-time family favorite, this creamy, frozen coquito recipe features cream of coconut blended with cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and rum. —Evelyn Robles, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Irish Creme DrinkWe top off holiday celebrations with this creamy beverage. With sweetened condensed milk and ice cream, it's like a liquid dessert!—Fred Schneider, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Apple BrandyI spend a lot of time developing recipes for the many fruits and vegetables we grow on our farm. In this creation, apple brandy is enhanced with spices for a delightful drink.—Deanna Seippel, Lancaster, Wisconsin
Spring Strawberry SangriaWine-infused berries make a lovely addition to this special-occasion drink. I love serving this during the beginning of spring to celebrate the new season. —Gina Quartermaine, Alexandria, Virginia
Blackberry Beer CocktailThis refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
Cranberry BourbonThe subtle tang of cranberry and the warm winter spices make this bourbon just right for holiday toasts—neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail. —
James Schend,
Dairy Freed
Homemade LimoncelloThis limoncello recipe makes a drink better than any store-bought version. It's perfect as an after-dinner treat on its own, or whipped up in a cocktail. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Whiskey-Brandy SlushIt may be cold outside, but we like to serve this icy citrus drink for Christmas gatherings at our house. It is fantastic for parties and large gatherings, and it keeps well in the freezer. —Joan Shoebottom, Lexington, Michigan
Chocolate-Caramel Rum CoffeeThis decadent coffee drink can stand alone as a final course or can be a delightful complement to any chocolate or caramel dessert. Our family loves it after a special dinner or just for sipping in front of the fireplace. —Joyce Conway, Westerville, Ohio
Pink Sparkling Wine PunchA long-standing tradition in our home, this sparkling punch makes spirits bright. Garnished with fresh strawberries and lime, it makes a colorful Christmas cocktail.—Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas
Cranberry-Lime SangriaTart, light and fruity, this party-worthy sangria is a hit any time of the year. —Katy Joosten, Little Chute, Wisconsin
Cranberry-Jalapeno MartiniI describe this cocktail as slightly tart, a little sassy and completely delicious. I make a big batch when I'm hosting a party because it tends to disappear quickly. Garnish with fresh mint and cranberries for an extra-special touch. —Kelli Haetinger, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Champagne Fruit PunchToast the happy couple at your next bridal shower with a fun and fruity drink! It’s the perfect refreshment on a hot day. —Kelly Tran, Salem, Oregon
Strawberry MimosasHere's a tasty twist on the classic mimosa. To make refreshing strawberry mimosas friendly for kids or mamas-to-be, substitute lemon-lime soda or ginger ale for the champagne. —Kelly Maxwell, Plainfield, Illinois
Mixed Berry SangriaThis is a light, tasty beverage to serve with spoons so everyone can enjoy the fresh berries once the sangria is gone. — Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
Peach ChampagneI searched high and low for the perfect punch recipe and finally decided to create my own. This sipper is a big hit at parties, especially weddings. In summer I freeze fresh peaches and fresh strawberries; if you don't have fresh fruit, store-bought frozen fruit works just as well. —Linda Hall, Evington, Virginia
Blackberry Brandy SlushWe wanted a fun twist on a slushy made with tea and fruit juice, so we used blackberry brandy. The deep red color makes it very merry. —Lindsey Spinler, Sobieski, Wisconsin
Grasshopper ShakesMinty, chocolaty and cool, this spiked dessert drink makes a wonderful way to toast family and friends at holiday gatherings. A little shaved chocolate on top adds an extra-festive touch. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida
Cranberry-Orange Vodka SlushYears ago, my mother made a rosy and refreshing party drink I’ve never forgotten. The sparkle comes from fruit juices, vodka and lemon-lime soda. —Melinda Strable, Ankeny, Iowa
Jalapeno Pomegranate CocktailThis spicy and sweet sipper gives you a little fix of jalapeno flavor minus the heat. Start a couple of days ahead to flavor the vodka. —Melissa Rodriguez, Van Nuys, California
Cranberry Pomegranate MargaritasI came up with this beverage to serve at holiday celebrations for a festive twist on the traditional margarita. It's light and refreshing, and looks beautiful with sugar crystals on glass rims. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
Apple Cider SmashA smash is a fruity and chilled cocktail—very refreshing. It's a great use for those apples you bought from the orchard plus some sparking cider. —Moffat Frazier, New York, New York
Pineapple Rum PunchI created this with my favorite Bahamian juices. I got the inspiration for it from other Bahama punches I have sampled. —Pamela Vitti Knowles, Henderson, North Carolina
Blueberry Thirst QuencherI first enjoyed this cocktail at a Derby day party and fell in love. With its beautiful color and zesty flavor, it’s a festive surprise for a summer picnic or party.—Peggy Foster, Florence, Kentucky
Orange-Apricot Mimosa PunchWe make this punch for our annual Christmas brunch, and everyone loves it! I usually triple this recipe for a bigger crowd and garnish the punch with an orange-tangerine ice ring made several days ahead of time. —Kathy McKay, Acworth, Georgia
Sweet Kahlua CoffeeI have this beverage brewing in my slow cooker at my annual Christmas open house. I set out the whipped cream and grated chocolate in festive dishes so guests can help themselves to as much Kahlua-flavored coffee as they'd like.—Ruth Gruchow, Yorba Linda, California
Cranberry Orange MimosasMimosas are just so elegant for Sunday brunch. My recipe uses tart cranberries to balance the sweetness of champagne and orange juice. —Shannon Stephens, Lake in the Hills, Illinois
Cranberry SlushieI love to try new recipes. When I find one that was especially well liked, I make a copy, put it in a protective sleeve and place it in a binder. The binders contain my best recipes, and this sweet-tart, bright red slush is definitely in a binder.—Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Apricot Brandy SlushWhile spending the summer in New Mexico, we tasted this refreshing golden color tea beverage enhanced with something borrowed from the cocktail world: apricot brandy.—Shirley Miller, Williamsport, PA
Spiked Pink LadyWhy reserve lemonade and strawberries for the summertime? They’re just as refreshing during the holiday season. Add two more ingredients to create a crowd-pleasing cocktail.
Tipsy Iced CoffeeMy family loves this frozen coffee with Amaretto and whipped cream. Serve it at brunch or as an after-dinner treat.—Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
Brandy SlushThis slush with a hint of citrus keeps you cool on hot summer days. Even if you're not a tea lover, you'll likely find the mix of flavors pleasing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Maple Brandy PunchReminiscent of an old-fashioned brandy punch, this smooth, maple-infused beverage will add pizzazz to holiday dinner parties and other festive occasions. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mint JulepIt wouldn't be Kentucky Derby Day without this mint julep recipe! But, really, this Kentucky Derby mint julep recipe is good anytime. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mulled MerlotThis mulled wine recipe is sure to warm up your holiday guests! —Taste of Home
Test Kitchen
Sparkling Peach BellinisFolks will savor the subtle kiss of peach flavor in this elegant brunch beverage. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Spiked LemonadeRum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. If you have vodka on hand, try that instead of the rum. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Vanilla Bean FizzA homemade vanilla bean syrup from our home economists fabulously flavors Champagne. The bubbly beverage is ideal for holidays throughout the year.
Topsy-Turvy SangriaI got this recipe from a friend a few years ago. Perfect for relaxed get-togethers. it’s even better if you make it the night before and let the flavors steep. But watch out—it goes down easy. —Tracy Field, Bremerton, Washington
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Updated: Dec. 04, 2020
