One of the most annoying things about parties is having to play bartender and feeling like you’re missing out on the fun. But if you make punch, you really don’t have to deal with FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Probably the most attractive aspect of making punch for a party is the fact that you can make it ahead of time. If your punch is meant to be warm, keep it in a slow cooker. Remember to follow the directions, too. If a recipe says to add ice to the punch, add the ice. It’s likely to dilute it since you aren’t shaking it and making individual drinks. No one wants their guests completely sloshed one drink in! Here are the best whiskey punch recipes:
Bourbon Peach Lemonade Punch
This is a great way to drink some boozy peach lemonade! It makes a big batch that’s best if it’s made ahead of time because the flavors of the fresh peaches in it get stronger the longer it chills. Although there’s quite a bit of bourbon in it, it isn’t overpowering, and the vanilla notes that are common in bourbon compliment the peach and lemonade flavors.
Ingredients
- filtered water
- 1/3 c. granulated sugar
- 1 c. fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
- 3/4 c. bourbon or whiskey
- 3 sprigs fresh mint (plus more for garnish)
Directions
- Add water and sugar to a microwave safe bowl and then microwave on high for 2 minutes until the water is hot
- Stir until the sugar is dissolved
- Add the sugar water to a pitcher with lemon juice
- Add peaches, bourbon and mint
- Cover and refrigerate overnight, or until ready to serve
- To serve, scoop out a couple of the peach slices with a slotted spoon and put them in a glass with ice, then fill with punch
- Garnish with mint sprig
- Serve
https://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2016/07/bourbon-peach-lemonade-punch.html
Jim Beam Fruit Punch
A lot of the fruit flavors in this punch come from liqueurs and cherry whiskey, with the exception of passion fruit. This recipe calls for passion fruit coulis, which is like a puree, but passion fruit juice will work just as well. Also, the recipe calls for one bottle of sparkling wine, but it’s a good idea to have another bottle on hand to add more to each glass.
Ingredients
- 1 750 ml bottle of cherry whiskey (like Red Stag by Jim Beam)
- 12 oz. Strawberry liqueur
- 6 oz. Passion fruit coulis or juice
- 1 750 ml bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine
- Strawberries and lemon twists (garnish)
Directions
- Pour cherry whiskey, strawberry liqueur, and the passion fruit coulis or juice into a punch bowl
- Add large balls of ice
- Keep Champagne or sparkling wine next to the bowl to top off the glasses
- Ladle mixture into Champagne flutes, top with Champagne or sparkling wine
- Garnish
- Serve
https://www.thespruceeats.com/jim-beam-fruit-punch-761410
Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch
This is an excellent Fall recipe. There are lots of seasonal fruits in the punch, like apples and cranberries. It would make a great addition to any tailgate party or festive holiday celebration!
Ingredients
- 1 c. frozen cranberries, thawed
- 1/4 c. light brown sugar
- 1/2 c. water, divided
- 3 c. bourbon
- 1 1/2 c. fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 c. honey
- 1 (24.5 oz.) bottle sparkling apple cider, chilled
- 1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
Directions
- Add cranberries, brown sugar and 1/4 c water to a food processor and process for around 30 seconds until berries are coarsely chopped
- Transfer to a large bowl
- Add bourbon, lemon juice and honey. Stir until sugar is combined
- Strain through fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher
- Chill between 1-8 hours or overnight
- Add sparkling apple cider just before serving
- Pour into glasses to serve
- Garnish with apple slices
- Serve
https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/whiskey-apple-cider-punch-recipe
Whiskey Sour Party Punch
There’s something magical about the simplicity of a whiskey sour, and this punch recipe manages to capture that magic and serve it up in a large batch. There’s ample amounts of whiskey in this drink, along with lots of citrus. (Seriously, there’s 3 different kinds!) But the real MVP of this punch is the lemonade ice cubes, which serve to not only add some citrusy tang and sweetness, but to dilute the drink.
Ingredients
- 2 c. lemonade
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1/2 c. water
- 2 c. orange juice
- 1 c. water
- Juice from 2 limes (around 1/4 c.)
- 2 c. whiskey or bourbon
- 2 c. club soda
- Sliced lemons, oranges and maraschino cherries (garnish)
Directions
- Make lemonade ice cubes by placing the lemonade into ice cube trays and freezing
- Make simple syrup by placing the sugar and water into a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and stir. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture has become thick. Remove from heat and allow to cool
- Add the simple syrup to a pitcher, then stir in orange juice, water, lime juice and bourbon
- Refrigerate until ready to serve
- To serve, add lemonade ice cubes to glasses and top with punch
- Garnish
- Serve
https://www.lemonsforlulu.com/whiskey-sour-party-punch-recipe/
Pumpkin Spice Bourbon Milk Punch
Most people wouldn’t think of bourbon with pumpkin spice, but this particular combination works really well. Bourbon has sweet, spicy and smoky flavors that fit really well with Fall flavors, and it’s perfect for cool weather. And, well, we all know that pumpkin spice is awesome in the Fall. This drink works well either before a meal or as a dessert drink, and it will be a hit at any Fall party or holiday gathering!
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 oz. Bourbon
- 1 oz. Rumchata
- 2 1/2 oz. Milk
- 1 dash vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1/4 tsp Pumpkin pie spice
- 1 c. Ice
Directions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add bourbon, Rumchata, milk and vanilla extract
- Add honey
- Shake vigorously for around 20 seconds
- Strain into rocks glasses filled with ice
- Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on top
- Serve
https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Pumpkin-Spice-Bourbon-Milk-Punch-9082764#directions
Scailtin (Irish Whiskey Milk Punch)
Believe it or not, a hot punch made with whiskey and milk is delicious! This Irish recipe has been around since the 1700’s, and used to be so popular that Queen Victoria actually appointed a company to be sole purveyor of the drink to the royal family. Scailtin is a drink that will definitely comfort you and warm you up on a cold night, and it’s delicious enough to make any bad day better!
Ingredients
- 2 c. whole milk
- 1/2 c. Irish whiskey
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
Directions
- Add milk and whiskey to a small saucepan
- Stir in honey, ginger and cinnamon
- Whisk while heating slowly. Do NOT allow it to boil
- To serve, pour into mugs and top with grated nutmeg
- Serve
https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Scailtin-_Irish-whiskey-milk-punch_-2670730#directions
Whether you like cold drinks or hot, fruity, masculine or dessert drinks, you’ll find something on this list to suit your needs and serve a crowd. The added bonus to this list of recipes is that there isn’t a recipe on this list in which the whiskey or bourbon is overpowering, so even people who aren’t particularly fond of whiskey need fear these drinks! So, go out there and get your whiskey punch on!
LINKS:
https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Scailtin-_Irish-whiskey-milk-punch_-2670730#directions
https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Pumpkin-Spice-Bourbon-Milk-Punch-9082764#directions
https://www.lemonsforlulu.com/whiskey-sour-party-punch-recipe/
https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/whiskey-apple-cider-punch-recipe
https://www.thespruceeats.com/jim-beam-fruit-punch-761410
https://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2016/07/bourbon-peach-lemonade-punch.html