Fruit Punch Recipe: Made with Sprite (or lemon-lime soda), pineapple juice, kool-aid, sugar, and water! So simple and easy and one of the best punch recipes there is!
Quick Overview: Makes 2 gallons; Excellent for a party, kids or to make, and ready in only 5 minutes! The perfect Christmas punch or all-year-around punch!
Why you’ll love this recipe
It’s quite fun to be sharing one of the BEST punch recipes with you all today.
Perhaps it’s because:
- this recipe has gone VIRAL on Pinterest and Google for being one of the favorites.
- it’s one of the most delicious childhood memories that I had as a little girl.
- because it’s literally is the best punch I’ve ever had.
- or because it’s SO SIMPLE!
We’ll go with all four and roll with it!
More Punch and Drink Recipes You’ll Love:
Hawaiian Fruit Punch
If you loved Hawaiian fruit punch as a kid, I think you’re really going to love this one too! Not only does it have a similar flavor but it conquers that sweet-tooth craving if you’re wanting something for the kids at snack time or to serve at a birthday party!
How to Make this Fruit Punch Recipe
As always, there’s a full, printable, recipe card at the bottom of this post, but I’d love to walk you through the recipe with photos and extra tips to help you make the punch recipe that so many have made and given 5 stars to!
Punch Recipe Non-Alcoholic
This recipe is for a non-alcoholic version but if you’re looking to make it alcoholic, it can be done easily!
Here are some suggestions to make it a cocktail:
- add vodka (coconut, coconut rum for rum punch, etc.)
- combine wine/fruit for a sangria
- mix with sparkling champagne
Punch Ingredients:
Using a handful of ingredients, and AFFORDABLE ingredients at that… it’s easy to whip up this punch recipe for a crowd and double, triple, or quadruple it. (Think family gathering, holiday parties, play dates, summer time picnics, potlucks and so much more!)
This Fruit Punch Recipe Uses:
- Sprite (or lemon-lime soda)
- Pineapple Juice
- Packets of Kool-aid (Orange, lemon, strawberry and cherry)
- Sugar
- Water
Sweet Fruit Punch
It. Is. Sweet.
With sugar in the soda, sugar in the pineapple juice, and the added sugar in the recipe, you can count on any sweet tooth loving this punch recipe, and it’s a fruit punch recipe that your guests (kids and adults) will LOVE.
But if you want to cut back on the sugar a bit (I sure as heck wouldn’t recommend it), you always can. Give it a whirl the way we have it first, and then adjust it the next time.
With packets of kool-aid, lemon-lime soda (I use Sprite), and pineapple juice, this recipe combines some of the tastiest flavors around.
Tips for How to Serve Punch:
If you’re serving this for a large crowd, making it ahead of time is ideal! However, here are some tips to make it the BEST…
Add Sprite Just Before Serving:
Don’t add the lemon-lime soda, or Sprite until right before serving. This is to retain the carbonation of the soda, to give the punch a little “fizz.”
Serve in a Pretty Drink Dispenser
If you’re like me, then you may love to serve this in a drink dispenser; for a party or just to have at home!
However, it can be served over ice, so if placing in a punch bowl before the party is more your style, that’s absolutely ok!
Garnish Your Punch
For each serving, it’s fun to garnish with a cute drink stirrer or actually, a sprig of rosemary looks FABULOUS for the holidays. OR rim the glass like I did for the Red Apple Martini’s here.
If serving in the Summer, easily garnish with mint, or additional fruit/leafy garnish like I did at our Favorite Things party HERE!
Expert Tip
If you plan to make your punch ahead of time, freeze some of it into ice cube trays (I’d say 1-2 trays) and before the party starts, empty the punch cubes into the punch so when they melt… it won’t water down your punch!
This way it will keep it cold, and still flavorful!
Substitutions
YES! This recipe is incredibly easy, and “forgiving,” in case you’re short an ingredient, or want to change things up a bit. Feel free to experiment a little and add or take away anything you like! Now THAT’S simple.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Did You Make This?
Snap a pic and hashtag it #Fantabulosity — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
📖 Recipe
The BEST Fruit Punch Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package each Kool-Aid mix: Orange, Lemon, Cherry and Strawberry (small packets of each flavor – and the pkgs. that say it will make 2 quarts)
- 1 Gallon water
- 3.5 cups sugar super fine if possible, but not necessary
- 1 46 oz. can pineapple juice
- 1 2 liter bottle lemon-lime soda
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients EXCEPT lemon-lime soda.
- Right before serving, add in the lemon-lime soda
- Serve chilled or over ice.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Lynn Cain says
Made this last year and year before that and I have it in my fridge for today’s celebration. My family and I love this! Thanks for a yummy, non alcoholic punch!
Jessica says
Oh I’m so glad that you all love it as much as we do! Thank you so much for sharing and letting me know! 🙂
Boyd Kobe says
Well, now I have plenty of ideas what to bring to a party I’m attending! These look great, thank you.
Sandra B says
Hi..I’ve been making a punch similar to this for years now. I use lemon kool-aid, fruit punch kool-aid, pineapple juice (regular or no sugar added) and diet 7 Up. Did not use any water. I made this at a retirement party for one of my co-workers and everyone loved it!! And asked for the recipe. I may add a little water the next time I make it.
Jessica says
Oh good!! I’m so glad that it went over well!! Thank you for taking the time to comment and let me know. 🙂
Tammy Hickey says
Do I mix the kool aid packets with water to add in?
Jessica says
Hi Tammy! You don’t actually make the kool-aid before adding it in. You just pour the kool-aid packets into the punch mixture. I hope that helps!
Debbie says
Our family has made this for years and love it! We have only used only used strawberry koolaid but may have to try the multi packs. One thing we do differently is freeze it overnight except for the sprite which we add in just before serving as suggested. Then we take it out of the freezer 30 minutes before and use a wooden spoon to chop it up to a slushy consistency before adding to a punch bowl or container. Important thing to remember is not to freeze it in a container with a small opening or you won’t be able to chop it up.
Jessica says
Ooooh my goodness! We have never tried freezing it, but we totally will! Thank you so much for these tips… I can’t wait to try it!
Sherry says
I have made a similar one using two packs of cherry Kool Aid. I received this recipe in 1975 from an older lady when I lived in Gatlinburg Tn. I divide the recipe into two gallon bags and freeze it. I use ginger ale instead of Sprite. At the time Kool Aid made raspberry but it’s no longer available. We loved the raspberry flavor. You can’t go wrong with this recipe any way you make it.
JC says
I’ve made this recipe several times for occasions where I knew there would be diabetics in attendance. It is great made with the sugar omitted and the diet or no sugar added version of each ingredient. Taste it after adding the diet Sprite or 7-Up, if it’s a little too tart add a few packets of Stevia sweetener and taste again. Thanks for the great flavor combo!
Jessica says
Awww!!! This is so amazing! Thank you so much for sharing a sugar-free version! I may just have to add that to the blog post for others!! You’re the best!
Edye Lamun says
🌈❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👏 I’m a raging diabetic and love this!
Angie says
Can you use cranberry flavored sierra mist? Will it be ok with the other flavors?
Jessica says
Hi Angie! I’ve never tried that so I hate to say it would still be good, but I think it’s worth a shot if that’s what you have on hand!
April says
I can’t find lemon koolaid… did you use actual lemon flavor or was it lemonaid?
Jessica says
Hi April! The lemonaid flavor of koolaid is just fine!
Lynn Cain says
Shopping now for the holidays. Everyone asked if we could have “that” punch! I love that something so simple satisfies my whole family. This is our fourth year in a really row for your punch. So glad I found it!
Jessica says
Awww!!!! This makes me so happy! Thank you so much for sharing Lynn! 🙂
Christy Isbell says
When freezing do you add the sprite with the punch before freezing? Looks great and cant wait to try this!
Jessica says
Hi Christy! If you’re going to freeze, I wouldn’t add the Sprite until right before serving! I hope that helps. 🙂
Madonna Porter says
Before you put in the lemon lime soda……..put in a quart or two of sherbert and then pour the lemon lime soda over it. I have made this for baby/wedding showers for years.
Jessica says
That’s a great idea! I’m not a big fan of sherbet in punch but I know so many who are, so thank you for sharing this!!
Scheerish says
My mother made this for us every holiday when we were kids and now my sister and I make it every holiday for our families. We named it ‘Sweet Lucy’.
Jessica says
Aww, that’s a fun memory, and what a fun name!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Temeka says
Can I add rum? I have a dinner party coming up and I need a spiked punch. I have also made this several times before but with fruit punch kool aid only and I also made up the kool aid and then added the pineapple juice and sprite.
Jessica says
I don’t see why you couldn’t! I’ve always wanted to try it and I think it would be delicious! Especially adding something like Captain Morgans Coconut Rum! YUM!
LAUREN KELLY says
I have made this a few times and it was always a hit, I just always forget to come and let you know how much I love it!
Jessica says
Haha, oh good!! Thank you so much, I appreciate that!
Toni Dash says
Everyone at my house loved it! Such a perfect holiday drink!
Jessica says
Excellent! I’m so glad to hear that! It’s a favorite in our house too!
Lisalia says
This is perfect for my family gathering for Christmas… meaning my husband and kids and me! We’ll scale this recipe for just us and enjoy it all day long! Thanks!!
Jessica says
Oh good!! That’s such a great idea! I think we will do the same!
Lynn Cain says
Well this is year 4 for “old faithful!” Our grown children started contacting me 2 weeks ago to make sure I remembered we had to have “THE” punch! Thanks again for the yummy and dependable recipe. I even have the container just like yours. As long as the container doesn’t break we’re in good shape!😍💕
Jessica says
Awwww haha!!! I love this so much!!! Thank you for sharing and for leaving a 5 star review too!!
Constance says
I’ve made this punch for Christmas two years straight. My family loves it. Best punch ever
Jessica says
Oh my goodness I’m so glad to hear this!! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m thrilled that you like it too!
Jennifer Beyersdorf says
I accidently put grape Kool aid instead of orange, lol. It made it a deeper red but still tastes great! Thanks so much for this recipe. Super easy!!! I will definitely be making it again for our Christmas dinner! Next time I will use the orange kool-aid 😉
Jessica says
Oh that’s so great to hear! You know, I’ve occasionally changed up the flavors too and it’s always great! 🙂 Thank you for sharing this in case someone else wonders if it will be good! 🙂
Lily says
This was such a delicious summer drink, I loved the coconut flake garnish, genius!!
Jessica says
Thank you so much Lily!!
Kristyn says
Refreshing & bursting with flavor! Love that this uses the different flavors. My kids love it!
Jessica says
Right?! Feel free to mix up flavors too! I’ve never had a bad combination when the store has been out of one kind! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!