Jungle Juice

Liven up any party with a punch bowl of Jungle Juice. This easy grown-up version of the nostalgic recipe combines a variety of juices and spirits for a delicious and potent mix that will keep the party going all night long.

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About this Jungle Juice recipe

As with brightly-colored jello shots, Jungle Juice is a favorite at college parties (well, it was in my day). You were sure to find this mix of different fruit juices, rum and vodka at almost any party — usually served in a big drink tub with a red plastic cup for serving.

However, Jungle Juice can grow up and be served as a cocktail party punch recipe for the most sophisticated parties. As with grown-up jello shots, you can make the classic Jungle Juice with higher-quality ingredients for better flavor and fresh fruit for a posh presentation.

Let’s mix up the perfect combination of fruit juices, liquors and other ingredients for a delicious and crowd-pleasing drink that no one will forget any time soon.

More party recipes: Margarita Sangria • Prosecco Punch • Lemon Champagne Punch

Why you’ll love this recipe

Jungle Juice is the perfect party punch that everyone will love.

• It’s just like the one you loved in college, only with higher quality ingredients.
• This recipe makes a lot, so it’s a great drink idea for events with bigger guest lists.
• Serve it at all kinds of parties, from tailgates to barbecues to house parties.
• You can make a day or two ahead of time so it’s ready to go for your event.

What is Jungle Juice?

Jungle Juice is a party punch recipe featuring vodka, rum and myriad fruit juices. It’s perfect for big parties because its bright and fruity flavor is appealing to everyone.

While Jungle Juice is often considered a drink for college students, it can be made into a more sophisticated version with the addition of higher quality ingredients (like fresh juices and better liquors), served in a punch bowl and garnished with fresh fruit and herbs.

Tools & equipment

Jungle Juice serves a big crowd, so you’re going to need a way to serve everyone. I served mine in a punch bowl with a ladle. A drink dispenser or pitcher works too. If your vessel doesn’t hold all of the punch, you can always stash extra in the fridge and re-up it later on in your party.

The recipe makes about 10 cups, but you might want something bigger to mix it up and serve it in, especially if you are adding fruit (recommended!) and/or ice. You can mix up the drink right in your serving vessel if it’s big enough, or use a big mixing bowl.

And of course, you’ll need cups to serve it in. Plastic punch cups work well, or if you entertain a lot you might want a set that matches your punch bowl.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Jungle Juice at home:

Fruit punch: The kind I used was by Simply, as I prefer that it has more natural sweetness, but you can use other types of fruit punch like Hawaiian Punch. Cranberry juice cocktail would also work.

Orange, lemon and lime juices: If you can get your hands on fresh-squeezed juice at your store or can juice your own fruit, your punch will taste so good! That said, buying fresh-pressed juice is expensive and in these amounts, you might prefer a bottled concentrate, and that’s absolutely fine.

Vodka: Cheap vodka tastes cheap. Use a quality brand of vodka, but I wouldn’t use the fanciest vodka. Settle for something middle-of-the-road, like New Amsterdam or Tito’s.

Silver rum: This clear-colored rum is lightly sweet and perfect for this punch. Similarly, cheap rum tastes bad too, so a reputable brand like Bacardi or Cruzan will be best.

Triple sec: You can use any orange liqueur here, but I’d recommend saving the good stuff like Cointreau for your margaritas. Regular triple sec or orange curaçao will work fine.

Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda: Optionally, you can fill glasses with less punch, then add some bubbly soda like Sprite or ginger ale to each glass. This will help to stretch the recipe to serve more people.

Garnishes

Your punch will be great without any additional elements, but adding some fresh fruit and garnishes is a great way to make your punch a little fancier and to punch up the fruit flavor.

• Fresh fruit and herbs: Slice up some fresh citrus, berries and pick some fresh herbs to float in the punch bowl. They will look so elegant in the punch bowl, but when scooped into a glass, they will add some color and pizzazz. I used slices of lime, lemon, orange and strawberries, plus fresh mint. You could also do pineapple rings, kiwi slices, peach slices, diced apples or blueberries.
• Ring ice: Fill a bundt cake pan with water and fresh fruit to make a pretty and slow-melting ice cube to stick in the punch bowl.
• Pretty ice cubes: When serving the drink, you can add some pretty ice cubes to each glass. You can fill the trays with fresh berries, flowers or herbs or freeze fruit juices into colorful cubes or other shapes.

Best alcohol for Jungle Juice

When selecting alcohol for your punch, avoid bottom-shelf options that can impart harsh flavors. But there’s no need to splurge on top-tier brands either. Instead, aim for mid-range vodka and rum that offer a smooth taste without breaking the bank.

Popular choices in this category often provide excellent quality plus the right balance of smoothness and character without the premium price.

For vodka, New Amsterdam, Smirnoff and Svedka are good budget choices. Absolut, Deeb Eddy and Finlandia are good middle-of-the-road options.

For the white rum, Cruzan, Bacardi and Don Q are all good budget options. For a more mid-price range, Plantation or Havana Club are good choices.

Substitutions & variations

Here are some common swaps you can use if you can’t find or don’t have one of the ingredients:

• cranberry juice or apple juice for fruit punch
• pineapple juice or mango juice for orange juice
• orange or grapefruit juice for lemon juice
• lemon juice or orange juice for lime juice

Other alcohols: This recipe goes well with other clear alcohols like gin and tequila.

Non-alcoholic version: This recipe can be made without the alcohol for a citrusy, fruity punch. Finish it off with 3 cups of lemon lime soda or ginger ale.

Christmas version: Make Jingle Juice for the holidays! This recipe is a bit different and features more of a cranberry flavor and wine, but the same idea applies. Festive drinks for everyone!

Instructions

Okay, are you ready to rumble?! I mean, make Jungle Juice? Here’s what to do:

In the punch bowl or a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. Whatever order you like. Here I am adding the lemon juice and orange juice…

…then the fruit punch, the triple sec, the vodka and the rum.

Lastly, add the lime juice, then give it a big stir to mix everything up. Chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve, at least 2 hours but up to 24 hours.

To serve, transfer the mixture to a punch bowl, drink dispenser or pitcher. Float sliced fruit on top. I did a mixture of sliced oranges, lemons and limes…

And fresh berries. I also added some fresh mint just before serving, too. Gives it some extra jungle color, if you ask me!

Fill glasses with ice, pour in punch, and garnish with some of the sliced fruit and herbs. Optional: For a spritzier drink, top each glass with a splash of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale. You could even use prosecco for an extra punch!

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:

• If serving soon after making it, refrigerate all ingredients, including juices and alcohol, before mixing. This ensures your punch is cold from the start, reducing the need to add ice to the punch bowl. Ice cubes will melt and dilute the flavors.
• You can make it up to one day in advance. Be sure to refrigerate it for at least 2-3 hours before serving to keep it cold and prevent dilution when you add an ice ring or ice cubes.
• If it winds up being too tart for you, you can add some simple syrup to the punch.
• For a bubbly twist — and to stretch the recipe — top each glass with a splash of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.

Food pairings

Jungle Juice is perfect for any party. Serve it with finger foods that can easily be added to a paper plate. Caprese skewers or chips and pineapple salsa would be perfect. A bowl of nuts, chocolate candies, cheesy popcorn or Chex mix are great ideas too.

For dessert, go fruity with things like lemon bars, raspberry donuts or chocolate-covered strawberries .

And be sure to offer a non-alcoholic option for guests that isn’t water or soda, like virgin margaritas, watermelon lemonade or Shirley Temples.

When to serve Jungle Juice

This Jungle Juice recipe is NOT the one you remember. This one is the perfect addition to any party — for adults only. Serve it at anything like:

• tailgates and game day watch parties
• holiday parties
• house parties
• bridal and baby showers
• engagement and bachelorette parties
• brunch
• barbecues and cookouts
• pool parties or beach days

FAQ

More punch recipes

• Tiki Punch
• Spiced Apple Cider
• Russian Tea
• Herbal Limeade