Jungle Juice
This jungle juice recipe is an easy way to take care of drinks for a huge party. Delicious chunks of fruit floating in rum, vodka, triple sec, real fruit juice, and soda make a winner cocktail. So, if you’re cooking up a party for New Year’s or another event, this cheap cocktail recipe is for you.
It sounded dangerous at first, and then I found out what it was. All doubt was removed. I like a boozy drink occasionally, but this baby is definitely not for a family gathering with the kids.
There are no single-serving recipes for this refreshing cocktail. It makes gallons, well, 1½ gallons, to be exact. That’s enough for any serious adult party. So please make sure to drink responsibly and have a designated driver.
Where Did Jungle Juice Come From?
US soldiers stationed in the Southwest Pacific (the jungle) invented the jungle juice recipe during the Second World War. Some say it wasn’t that good, more like turpentine, but it did the job. Alcohol was expensive for those self-sacrificing boys, so they made do.
Fortunately, it improved over time. And while most jungle juice recipes are still for getting drunk, I prefer going for good flavor. And so, I’m sure you agree this is the best jungle juice recipe you’ve tried.
Can You Taste the Alcohol?
Fruit juice hides the taste of the alcohol. So while you can taste some, please be careful. It reminds me of Long Island iced tea. It tastes so much like tea that you’d never guess how much alcohol it has until you hit the floor.
How to Make Jungle Juice
- Add the fruit to a large drink dispenser or bowl, then add fruit juices, soda, and alcohol. (Photos 1-4)
- Adjust to your taste buds by adding more alcohol or more lime soda.
- Chill – If possible, chill to let the fruit flavor the cocktail.
- Serve – Once your jungle juice has completely chilled and blended, pour it into the glass. It’s a budget drink, so there is no need to get fancy. Plastic cups, pint jars, etc., are all good.
Recipe Variations
There are several jungle juice recipe variations, each with a unique twist.
- Alcohol swap: Brandy, whiskey, tequila, bourbon, and gin are all good. You can also replace the triple sec with any fruit-flavored liqueur.
- Fruit swap: Frozen fruit works great if fresh fruit is out of season. Mango, guava, cherimoya, and papaya deliver more tropical goodness.
- Fruit juice: Try it with your favorite fruit juice for a twist. Even a splash of an energy drink or apple cider can give jungle juice an extra kick.
- Kid-friendly: Replace the alcohol with fruit-flavored sodas, like orange, pineapple, strawberry, and grape, and let the kids enjoy it.
Tips and Tricks
- Is the party smaller or bigger than you originally planned? Use the calculator to adjust the measurements.
- Mix the alcohol with the pineapple and freeze it the night before to keep the drink colder.
- You can use half the alcohol or even leave it out if you want a safer party.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Making it at least 3-4 hours ahead will let the flavors blend and bring the best of each other out. If you have 12 hours, that’s even better because the fruit soaks up some alcohol. Then I like eating the spiked fruit.
If you have any left when the party ends, you can store it in the fridge for two weeks. You can also freeze leftovers.
FAQs
Yes, simply leave the alcoholic ingredients out. You can replace them with fruit juice, soda, and other non-alcoholic mixers.
If fresh fruits are not readily available or if you prefer a longer shelf life, you can use frozen fruits or fruit concentrates. These can add flavor to the jungle juice and also act as natural sweeteners.
Jungle juice ingredients and ratios can vary from party to party, as can the names it goes by. If you’ve ever tried hooch, trash can punch, purple death, wapatoola, or plain old grain punch, that’s right, you were drinking some version of jungle juice. And those are just a few of the names!
More Fun Drinks to Try
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was originally published in September 2021 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
Jungle Juice
Ingredients
Fruit Garnish
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 2 limes, sliced
- 2 cups (300g) strawberry, sliced
- 2 cups (280g) pineapple, chopped
Fruit Juices and Sodas
- 2 cups (472ml) pineapple juice (a 16-ounce bottle)
- 4 cups (950ml) strawberry juice (or sub with more lemonade)
- 4 cups (950ml) lemonade
- 2 cups (472ml) orange juice (a 16-ounce bottle)
- 1 or 2 12-ounce cans lime soda
- 4 cups (950ml) fruit punch
- 2 cups (472ml) cranberry juice,
- ½ cup (120ml) fresh lime juice
Alcohol
- 2 cups (473ml) rum, about ½ of a 750 ml bottle
- 2 cups (472ml) vodka, about ½ of a 750 ml bottle
- 1 cup (236ml) triple sec, optional
Instructions
- Add fruits to a large drink dispenser or bowl.
- Add the fruit juices, soda, and alcohol. Adjust to your taste buds by adding either more alcohol or more lime soda.
- If possible, chill for a time (preferably 3-12 hours) to let the fruit flavor the cocktail. Serve cold.
Tips & Notes:
- Half or double the recipe. Is the party not so big, or bigger than you originally planned? Use my calculator to adjust the measurements to the desired quantity.
- Freeze the fruit. Mix the alcohol with the pineapple and freeze it the night before to keep the drink colder.
- Reduce the alcohol. You can half the alcohol if you want a safer party.
- Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Highly recommend this! Great for chilling with friends
Hi Annabelle,
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe and found it perfect for relaxing with friends. There’s something special about sharing good drinks in great company. If you ever need more ideas for recipes to enjoy with your friends, feel free to reach out. Happy cooking and happy chilling! ️
Everyone loved this recipe but don’t expect to get drunk or even a buzz from it.
Glad you liked it! 🙂