Punch recipes make any occasion feel like a celebration. Firecracker Punch celebrates summer and Fourth of July with fruity flavors and a bang (from a secret ingredient)!
There is simplicity about Fourth of July. Watching fireworks on a picnic blanket in your city park or backyard; it’s a relaxed holiday celebration.
Firecracker Punch is an easy punch recipe that can be made as a non-alcoholic punch or an alcoholic party punch!
What is a Punch Recipe?
Punch is a larger batch drink which can be made from an assortment of drink ingredients.
Usually fruit juices are used along with soft drinks and sometimes alcohol if making an alcoholic punch for a party.
Examples of holiday punch are:
Sparkling Cranberry Vodka Punch is a simple alcoholic party punch recipe with fruit juice, vodka and soda.
Slow Cooker Vampire Punch is a non-alcoholic punch recipe. It can be served warm or cold for Halloween.
How to Make a Punch
Punch is perfect for parties or larger gatherings since all the ingredients are mixed together and served in one batch.
It takes about five minutes to make.
This allows the host not be stuck pouring individual drinks all night.
The punch recipe can be served in a:
- punch bowl with a ladle
- pitcher for pouring
- glass drink dispenser with spigot for self-serving.
Firecracker Punch – A Easy Punch Recipe for Summer
Though I created this recipe as a Fourth of July recipe, it’s truly a celebration of summer.
Seasonal flavors of cherry, peach and lime create a refreshing combination to take the edge off steamy summer days.
Firecracker Punch Ingredients
These ingredients are simple, easy to find and taste like summer….with a bang!
- Cherry Cider
- Peach Nectar
- fresh Lime Juice
- Ginger Ale
- Baking Cinnamon Imperials or Red Hots candies
- OPTIONAL: Lemon-Infused Vodka
The Secret Ingredient
To make this holiday punch match its name, Firecracker Punch, it has a few spicy ingredients.
Ginger ale gives some zip and fizz.
The true secret ingredients are cinnamon candies! Either Red Hots or cinnamon imperials used for baking may be used.
Once dissolved in the punch recipe they add a perfect sweet, spicy ka-pow to this party punch recipe.
Using Cinnamon Red Hots for True Cinnamon Flavor
Red Hots or cinnamon imperials are a fantastic way to add true sweet cinnamon flavor to recipes.
They are sweet and fiery!
This vintage recipe for Wassail, a classic Christmas holiday drink, uses them too.
Tips for Making Firecracker Punch
Time saving Tip: pre-chill all the ingredients so the punch will not need to be chilled after it is made.
Tip for lime juice: place the lime in the microwave for 10 seconds before juicing to extract more juice!
A Non-Alcoholic or Alcoholic Punch recipe
I love a flexible punch recipe when I’m hosting a crowd.
The base recipe for Firecracker Punch is a non-alcoholic punch recipe.
It’s a well balanced fruity punch recipe with some zip on its own.
PRO TIP: when serving a mixed group, add the liquor by the serving rather than in the punch. This streamlines the process of serving mixed groups.
PRO TIPs on Adding Ice to Punch
If serving in a punch bowl an ice ring may be made.
Novelty molds can be used to freeze ice too. The ice for this Halloween punch recipe was made in a medical glove for an eerie effect.
How to Stop Melting Ice from Diluting Punch?
Ice cubes can be made of juice so they will keep the punch cold and add flavor as they melt.
Also plastic freezeable ice cubes can be frozen and added to the punch.
As they melt they won’t add water to the punch.
They also come in fun colors and shapes.
How to Make an Alcoholic Party Punch
There are two ways to change up Firecracker Punch to make it an adult-only punch recipe.
- Add 1 ½ cups of Lemon-Flavored Vodka (homemade or store bought) to one batch of Firecracker Punch, or
- Have adult drinkers self-serve the liquor to spike their cup of punch:
- add 1 ½-2 ounces of Lemon-Flavored Vodka to a 1 cup serving of the Firecracker Punch.
- This option provides those desiring non-alcoholic punch can share the base recipe making it easier for you!
Making a Larger Batch Punch Recipe
Firecracker Punch can be doubled or tripled keeping the proportions the same.
PRO SERVING TIP. Use a glass drink dispenser with a spigot so guests can serve themselves. I love this blue one.
Fourth of July Party Serving Tips
It’s very easy to make drinks fun for July 4th and this punch recipe is no different. Here are some suggestions:
- Serve in blue glass canning jars instead of glasses
- Use daisy lid inserts(shown in the photos here) for Mason jars. Insert them in the outer lid ring for a fun detail. They hold a straw (available inwide mouth size too).
- There are star shaped inserts also in galvanized metal; love that for a rustic feel).
- Using patriotic paper straws is an easy and inexpensive way to celebrate. There are stripes, stars and straws with patriotic symbols.
The Only 5 Punch Recipes You Need – Free Printable
Punch recipes are a ‘must have’ for hosting friends and family.
Five of my favorite punch recipes have been combined onto one handy CHEAT SHEET you can print!
These punch recipes will work all year long!
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Check out my July 4th Pinterest board for patriotic recipes, décor, projects and inspiration to make your holiday the best!
Firecracker Punch
Firecracker Punch is a fruity punch with a bang thanks to cinnamon imperial candies. Instructions to spike the punch for adult-only enjoyment. Have all ingredients pre-chilled for fast assembly and serving. Recipe can be multiplied keeping the proportions the same.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Cherry Cider , naturally-flavored*
- 1 cup Peach Nectar , naturally-flavored*
- ½ cup Lime Juice , freshly squeezed (approximately 4 limes)+
- 12 ounces Ginger Ale (1 can), chilled
- 50 Baking Cinnamon Imperials** (about ¾ of a bottle; found with the baking supplies)
- OPTIONAL: Lemon-Infused Vodka
Instructions
- Combine the juice and cinnamon imperials. Stir until the imperials have fully dissolved. Add the Ginger Ale before serving. Note: to speed up punch readiness, have juices chilled before combining with the rest of the ingredients.
To Make ‘Adult-Only’: Add 1 1/2 cups Lemon-flavored vodka (homemade or purchased). One and one half ounce to two ounces per 1 cup serving.
Recipe Notes
*I used Knudsen brand all natural juices finding them to the have the most authentic flavor with no added unnatural ingredients.
+*Tip*: to extract more juice from citrus fruit, put them in the microwave at high for 10 seconds before juicing them.
**Red Hots candy could also be substituted though they may be stronger in heat. I would suggest starting at about half the quantity, stirring until dissolved then adding more if desired. My kids also suggested Atomic Bombs or Fireballs but I fear that would blow the roof off the heat!
Originally published: June 30. 2013
Theresa says
Well, I thought about doing a summery mimosa recipe I saw on Facebook for our 4th party this year, but I think your firecracker punch sounds more festive and yummy. We’ll be sure to serve this instead!
Mama to 6 Blessings says
What a fun treat! Definitely a summer / 4th of July treat and a great way to stay cool!
Kelly Hutchinson says
That is one impressive punch! You are SO getting me excited for upcoming festivities and I am surely going to make this punch for my guests.
Allyson Zea says
This punch is so fun!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Love this idea for the 4th of July!
Kathy says
This sounds like an amazing drink. I think it would be perfect for the 4th of July. I’m sure everyone would really enjoy it too.
Amy says
This looks really delish! I love a good punch that is super pretty. I also love fun paper straws!
Danielle Smith says
I love both the alcohol and non-alcohol versions of this. A great punch for all ages to celebrate the 4th!
Bill Sweeney says
Both the adult version and non-alcoholic version will be a hit for a 4th of July party. It sounds really good!
Allison Cooper says
This drink looks like so much fun! I can only imagine how great it tastes and I love that you can have it as a non-alcoholic or adult drink option – I always wanted what the adults were drinking as a kid hah!
Toni Dash says
Now the kids can have it too (without knowing the adults get one extra ingredient in their punch lol)!
Brandy says
Yummy! I love the idea of having a firecracker punch to enjoy this summer season. It surely will be a bang. I love enjoying new drinks, going to save this so I can make it up for 4th of July!
Toni Dash says
I hope it will make your holiday celebration special!
Dogvills says
Awesome recipe! We will be celebrating the 4th at my sister’s house. I will suggest this firecracker punch to be included in our menu. What a delicious drink for both adults and children to enjoy!
Meagan says
What a fun idea for summer! This would go great for a summer bbq!
Connie says
I love the use of red hots for the cinnamon flavor. This looks yummy.
Jules Shepard says
What a fun recipe!
Joyce Brewer says
This looks like a delicious and festive drink. I’d love to make it without alcohol to save calories.
Toni Dash says
It tastes great either way. I know some who couldn’t image punch without the alcohol lol!
Melissa Chapman says
Love the idea of a punch that can be modified to an adult version with the vodka. My kids will love the non-alcoholic version and we can use it for our next party after school lets out.
Ora Lee Gurr says
The juices, red hots, and ginger ale are three items that will make this punch special for me! It’ll be fun to make Firecracker Punch for the Fourth of July.
Stacie says
That looks so good! It’s the perfect drink for barbecues on those hot summer days. I have to give it a try.
robin rue says
This is perfect for my 4th of July party! All my guests are going to love it.
Ash- foodfashionparty says
This is a stunning way to present a drink. How did you get the caps to be stenciled like that? It’s gorgeous.
Toni Dash says
Ash so sorry for the delay in responding! You can buy Mason jar lids already etched like this. Aren’t they fun? Frankly if truth were to be told I fell in love with them and the blue Mason jars and had to develop a drink to use them!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
Beautiful presentation!!!! This punch is a perfect drink of 4th of july!!!
Toni Dash says
Thank you! It’s a pretty fun addition to the holiday menu!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
whoa whoa whoa. This drink just blew my mind!!!
Toni Dash says
Ha! Thanks Katrina! Wishing you and yours a fun and safe 4th!
Brooks says
Toni, I enjoyed your musings about July 4 and this special punch will certainly add sparkle to any celebration. Thank you for sharing the recipe and your spirit!
Toni Dash says
Thank YOU Brooks and for your check in via email that I’m sorely behind in answering! Hope you are enjoying a fun summer with your family! Have a wonderful 4th!
EA-The Spicy RD says
Reading this brought back memories of the 2 4th of July’s we spent near DC, when we lived in Falls Church when my kids were little. We lived in Lake Barcroft, which was a fabulous community, so we had a neighborhood potluck, then watched fireworks over the lake, and ended up on pontoon boats afterwards-great memories :-). Love this drink, and although I will be sipping something tropical in Hawaii this 4th, I’m adding it to my 4th of July round-up on Pinterest. Happy 4th to you and your family!
Toni Dash says
It was such a great area to spend the 4th, and it sounds that you had the same experience. I found our neighborhood to be a wonderful mix of old and young, families with kids and those without that blended to make a rich dynamic place to get to know others and spend time. It was really fun. Though I feel quite confident your 4th this year will also be fantastic with a tropical flair! Have a wonderful trip and holiday!