Grown-Up Jungle Juice Recipe

While we can't say we totally miss dark, sticky frat houses, there are plenty of things to miss about those golden years of college. Namely, the giant coolers, plastic tubs, storage bins, or random boxes filled with several gallons' worth of alcohol, sugar, and fruit, affectionately named jungle juice. Whether you miss jungle juice, or cringe at the thought of the sickeningly-strong punch (don't worry, we've all been there), we've got a good recipe for you. 

Written by developer Michelle McGlinn, this jungle juice recipe revisits the juice-filled concept of the punch, but this time,  adjusting the ratios to taste less sweet, and a bit more refined. Still using fruit juices and vodka, this punch tastes like fresh pink lemonade with raspberries and orange slices garnishing the top. It's delicious, strong, classy, and still easy to make. It's perfect for football Sundays, Galentine's Day, or even a normal, yet hot, summer day. And hey — if you still want to put it in a plastic cooler, be our guest.

Ready for a juice-heavy grocery list? You'll need lemonade, orange juice, cranberry juice, and pomegranate juice. You don't need to measure exactly, but to make a full batch (and hide the taste of the liquor), you'll want to be generous with the fruit juices. You can also opt for fruit punch instead of cranberry juice, or skip the pomegranate juice, if you hate the flavor. Want extra flavors? Try flavored lemonades like peach or raspberry.

You'll also need about a full 750-milliliter bottle of vodka and rum. You can swap the rum for other clear liquors, like Everclear or tequila, if you prefer the taste or strength. We don't recommend swapping out the vodka, since it's such a neutral spirit. To make this jungle juice a little fancier, add sliced oranges, raspberries, and pomegranate arils. You don't have to use Cara Cara oranges, but we love the juicy, extra-sweet flavor, and bright color. You can also add blueberries, blackberries, or even fresh peaches.

It doesn't matter too much what order you add things, as long as it is mixed together well in the end. Pour the vodka, rum, lemonade, orange juice, cranberry juice, and pomegranate juice into a punch bowl or beverage dispenser, then taste and adjust as needed. If the mixture is too sweet or too strong, you can always dilute it with water or ice. If it's too spirit-forward, you can add more lemonade or orange juice. If you want a sweeter punch, try adding a splash of simple syrup.

Add the sliced orange, fresh raspberries, and pomegranate arils directly into the jungle juice. The longer the fruit sits in the punch, the more flavor they will add to the drink, making this drink perfect for prepping ahead. If you're afraid of the pomegranate seeds being a nuisance, you can also try freezing the seeds into ice cubes to add to the punch later on.

To chill the jungle juice, you can do a few different things. You can prep the juice ahead of time and refrigerate it, so the entire batch is cold and ready. You can add ice directly to the punch, if your guests are eager, and your punch is self-serve. To avoid diluting the punch, add ice cubes to the serving glasses, and ladle the punch over top.

Because this jungle juice is more like a lemonade punch than a mystery concoction, you can feel confident bringing it to any potluck-style party. The pretty pink color is perfect for a Galentine's Day party, and the easy assembly makes it ideal for busy Super Bowl gatherings. You can also throw all the juices in a beverage dispenser or glass pitcher, and sip throughout summertime like an extra-boozy lemonade. And don't worry, it's still delicious straight out of a cooler, but this time, try taking it to the beach for a shareable summer punch.

This sweet and strong jungle juice is delicious paired with queso blanco and pulled pork, or you can serve it alongside glazed doughnuts or charcuterie for an extra dose of sweet. You can also top the jungle juice with tonic water or prosecco for a sparkling version. It's surprisingly appropriate for any occasion — maybe our teenage-selves had the right idea after all.