Coffee punch combines cold brew or espresso with other ingredients for party-worthy drinks.
These recipes scale easily for gatherings. We cover both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions with make-ahead tips.
Coffee Punch Recipe
Equipment
- Coffee maker of choice
- Mixing bowl with lid
- Punch bowl
- Ladle
- Cups
Ingredients
- 2 quarts freshly brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 quart coffee-flavored ice cream
- 1 quart vanilla-flavored coffee creamer
- Whipped cream garnish
- Shaved or grated semi-sweet chocolate garnish
Instructions
- Brew the coffee.
- Allow the coffee to cool, and pour it into a mixing bowl with a lid.
- Add the granulated sugar.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Cover the mixing bowl with the lid and put it in the refrigerator to chill for about two or three hours.
- About 10 to 15 minutes before your party is set to begin, pour the coffee mixture into the punch bowl and add the coffee-flavored ice cream and the vanilla-flavored coffee creamer.
- Stir the mixture until the ice cream is mostly melted.
- Top the coffee punch mixture with dollops of whipped cream covered in chocolate shavings.
- Ladle the servings of coffee punch into punch bowls and pass them to your party guests.
Coffee Punch Recipe Tweaks
Most coffee punch recipes call for a quart of coffee ice cream. However, if you want to tweak the recipe a bit, you can change the flavor of the ice cream. Vanilla ice cream will give you a milder flavored coffee punch while substituting chocolate ice cream will give you a mocha flavored treat.
You can add a tablespoon of peppermint extract to the coffee mixture if you are hosting a Christmas party. You may want to use peppermint ice cream in place of the coffee-flavored ice cream and top the punch with crushed peppermint candies.
To create the spiked version of this party favorite, you can add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of coffee-flavored liqueur to the mixture as you add the ice cream. Be sure that party attendees are aware that there is alcohol in the punch so that they will not accidentally overdo it, drinking multiple cups of this delicious punch.
Because the punch is so sweet and flavorful, the flavor of the liqueur may be mostly masked in the punch.
The Nutrition of Coffee Punch Recipes
Let’s be honest. With its copious amounts of sugar, ice cream, and coffee creamer, coffee punch is not healthy at all. In fact, this recipe is loaded with calories, fat, and carbohydrates.
However, in every person’s diet, space must be made for occasional indulgences. This recipe is one of those that can be enjoyed once a year, one or two cups at a time.
While you would not want to drink multiple cups of this creamy, sweet concoction, as a once in a while treat, this recipe for coffee punch is a great addition to your party menu.
Final Word on Coffee Punch Recipes
This recipe for coffee punch is definitely one to add to your recipe box, particularly if you frequently host parties or entertain large groups of people. With multiple variations, you can tweak this recipe to suit the occasion. Everyone at your party will enjoy the creamy, coffee drink.
FAQs about Coffee Punch Recipes
What is Coffee Punch?
Coffee punch is a delicious, creamy coffee flavored beverage that is frequently served in the South for any kind of social get together. Usually, non-alcoholic coffee punch features coffee, sugar, and flavored coffee creamer. Ice cream is generally included in these easy recipes as well.
If I’m not a coffee drinker, will I still like coffee punch?
Even those who do not care for a cup of coffee often find the coffee punch to be yummy. The coffee is sweetened enough that the coffee flavor is not overwhelming. The flavor of this coffee punch recipe is closer to that of a milkshake than that of a cup of strong coffee.
How long does it take to make coffee punch?
The final mixing of the coffee punch takes about 5 to 10 minutes or less total time. However, you will want to make your hot coffee and sugar mixture about 2 to 3 hours before your party so that it can chill before you mix the ingredients.
Alternately, you can make the hot coffee mixture the day before the party, storing it in the refrigerator to help reduce prep time on the day of your party.
Can I use instant coffee in coffee punch recipes?
If you want to use instant coffee in your coffee punch, you definitely can. Simply dissolve 1 1/2 cups of instant coffee crystals in 2 quarts of boiling water. Chill the coffee as directed and proceed with the recipe instructions.
What We Actually Do Differently
Full disclosure: we’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and here’s how we’ve tweaked it for our taste:
The measurements above are a solid starting point, but coffee strength is deeply personal. We usually bump up the coffee by about 15% because we like it punchy. If you’re sensitive to bitterness, scale back slightly and compensate with a longer steep time.
Fresh beans make a noticeable difference here. Anything roasted within the last 3 weeks works great. Supermarket beans that have been sitting for months? You’ll taste the staleness. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.