Punch seems to be making a comeback, and I’m all for it! Especially the old-fashioned kind made with sherbet, fruit juice, and fizzy soda. This Grinch punch is a fun Christmas version with a bright green color, scoops of lime sherbet, and cups rimmed with red sugar.
I grew up watching the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas! cartoon, and I can still hear “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” whenever I think of it. This green punch would be right at home at a Grinch movie night or Christmas party in Whoville!
And there’s a reason sherbet punch has stood the test of time. As the sherbet melts, it adds a little creaminess to the fruity, bubbly drink. I especially love getting some of that sherbet in my cup along with the punch.
This recipe makes a little over two gallons, so there’s plenty to share. Just pour everything into a big punch bowl, add a ladle, and let everyone help themselves.
Why You’ll Love This Grinch Punch
- Bright Grinch green color: Hawaiian Punch Green Berry Rush gives this punch its signature green color. It’s instantly recognizable as a Grinch-inspired drink.
- Made for a crowd: This recipe makes about 36 cups, so it’s great for Christmas parties, school parties, or a Grinch-themed movie night. Pair it with my Crockpot Grinch Hot Chocolate for another fun drink.
- The sherbet makes it special: Lime sherbet slowly melts into the punch, giving it a little creaminess. You can even add an extra scoop to individual cups.
- Easy to put together: There are just a few ingredients, and all you have to do is pour them into a punch bowl.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy Grinch Christmas punch.
- Hawaiian Punch Green Berry Rush
- Lemon-lime soda (Sprite)
- Pineapple juice
- Lime sherbet
- Red sanding sugar
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Hawaiian Punch Green Berry Rush: This is the one ingredient I wouldn’t change! It’s what gives the punch its bright green color. Make sure you get Green Berry Rush rather than one of the other Hawaiian Punch flavors.
Not all grocery stores near me carried this flavor, so I Googled “Hawaiian Punch Green Berry Rush near me” to find stores that stocked it.
Sprite: Lemon-lime soda adds the bubbles and sweetness. You can substitute 7UP or another lemon-lime soda. Sugar-free soda works, too, if that’s what you prefer.
Pineapple juice: Pineapple juice is a classic punch ingredient. I like adding it here for a little extra fruit flavor. It also changes the shade of green a little, taking it from the bright green of the Hawaiian Punch to a softer green that I like for the Grinch.
Lime sherbet: More green! Lime sherbet is my favorite part of this punch. It adds a little creaminess as it melts, and I like scooping some of those soft bits into my cup along with the fizzy punch.
You can substitute another sherbet flavor or even vanilla ice cream if you can’t find lime. If you’re serving this at a kids Grinch party, you might want to have extra sherbet on hand so everyone can get a scoop in their cup. Can you tell the sherbet is my favorite part? LOL.
Red sanding sugar: I use this to decorate the rims of the glasses. You can also use other Grinch-inspired garnishes, like strawberry slices cut into heart shapes or little red heart decals or grinch face decals on the cups.
How to Make Grinch Punch
Before you start, put the Hawaiian Punch, Sprite, and pineapple juice in the refrigerator for several hours so everything is nice and cold. You’ll want to assemble the punch shortly before serving.
Detailed recipe and instructions are in recipe card at bottom of post.
- Soften the sherbet. Let the lime sherbet sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Scoop it into the punch bowl rather than adding it in one big piece. This makes it easier to break up and gives everyone those little scoops of sherbet to enjoy.
- Add the Hawaiian Punch and pineapple juice. Pour both into the punch bowl over the sherbet.
- Pour in the Sprite. Add the lemon-lime soda last to keep as much fizz as possible. Give everything a gentle stir to break up the sherbet a little.
- Serve. Add a large punch ladle to the bowl so guests can serve themselves. I like to use a ladle that picks up some of the softened sherbet along with the punch.
Hosting Tip
Since this punch is so quick to assemble, I usually wait until just before guests are ready to drink it. That way, the soda stays fizzy and the sherbet hasn’t completely melted.
How to Rim Glasses with Red Sanding Sugar
The red sugar rims are a fun finishing touch for Grinch punch. They’re easy to make, and you can prepare the glasses ahead of time.
I like to use a little water or pineapple juice to help the sanding sugar stick to the glass. The trick is to roll the glass at an angle rather than dipping the entire rim straight down into the liquid.
- Pour a little water or pineapple juice into a shallow dish.
- Pour the red sanding sugar into a second shallow dish.
- Hold the glass at about a 45-degree angle and roll the outside edge of the rim through the liquid. Rotate the glass until the entire edge is lightly coated. This helps keep the liquid and sugar on the outside of the glass rather than getting it all over the inside.
- Keeping the glass at the same angle, roll the wet edge through the red sanding sugar.
- Set the glass upright and let the sugar dry.
What Size Punch Bowl Do You Need?
This Grinch punch makes about 2¼ gallons, or approximately 36 cups. That’s quite a bit of punch!
Here’s the approximate volume:
- Hawaiian Punch: 1 gallon
- Sprite: 2 liters
- Pineapple juice: 46 ounces
- Lime sherbet: ½ gallon before melting
The Hawaiian Punch, Sprite, and pineapple juice add up to about 30 cups of liquid. The sherbet adds volume, although it gradually melts into the punch.
Most traditional punch bowls hold around 2 to 3 gallons, so you may be able to fit the whole recipe in one. Just check your bowl’s capacity before pouring everything in.
I actually have a very large salad bowl that holds about a gallon. I make half the recipe at a time and refill it when it starts getting low. It works just fine!
Don’t have a punch bowl?
A large glass salad or serving bowl works just as well. You don’t need a matching punch bowl set with little cups hanging off the side to serve a fun Christmas punch!
Can You Make Grinch Punch Alcoholic?
This Grinch punch is non-alcoholic, so it’s a drink everyone can enjoy, including kids. If you’re hosting adults who would like an alcoholic version, you can set out vodka, rum, or another spirit on the side.
That way, guests can add a splash to their own glasses while keeping the punch bowl family-friendly.
Large Batch Party Drinks
When you’re hosting a holiday gathering, it’s nice to have a few big-batch drink recipes that you can make in a punch bowl or pitcher. Here are some more drinks to serve a crowd.
- Crockpot Grinch Hot Chocolate
- Crockpot Hot Chocolate
- Christmas Punch (coming soon)
- Thanksgiving Punch
- Gallon Lemonade
- Gallon Sweet Tea
- Gallon Hibiscus Iced Tea (Agua de Jamaica)
Grinch Punch
Grinch Punch is a fun, fizzy Christmas drink that's a cross between a festive punch and a sherbet float. This easy, family-friendly drink makes enough to share at holiday parties and Grinch movie nights.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon Hawaiian Punch Green Berry Rush
- 2 liters Sprite or other lemon-lime soda
- 1 (46-ounce) can pineapple juice
- ½ gallon lime sherbet
- Red sanding sugar, for rimming glasses
Instructions
- Refrigerate the Hawaiian Punch, Sprite, and pineapple juice for several hours until thoroughly chilled.
- Remove the lime sherbet from the freezer and let it soften at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Scoop the softened sherbet into a large punch bowl.
- Pour in the Hawaiian Punch and pineapple juice.
- Add the Sprite last. Gently stir to break up the sherbet and combine the ingredients.
- Serve immediately with a large punch ladle.
- To rim glasses, place a little water or pineapple juice in a shallow dish and red sanding sugar in a separate dish. Hold each glass at a 45-degree angle and roll the outside edge of the rim in the liquid, then in the sanding sugar. Let the sugar dry before serving.
Notes
- Yield: Approximately 2¼ gallons or 36 cups.
- Punch bowl: Use a bowl that holds at least 2¼ gallons, or make half the recipe at a time and refill as needed.
- Make ahead: Chill ingredients in advance, but combine just before serving. Add Sprite last to preserve carbonation.
- Substitutions: 7UP can replace Sprite. Another sherbet flavor or vanilla ice cream can replace lime sherbet.
- Alcohol option: Serve vodka or rum on the side for guests who want an alcoholic version.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 140Total Fat: 2gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 65mgCarbohydrates: 34gSugar: 31gProtein: 1g
Nutrition is an estimate based on typical ingredient values and a 36-cup yield. Actual nutrition will vary by brand, particularly the Hawaiian Punch, soda, and sherbet.