Jungle Juice Recipe – 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 is a winner cocktail. So if you’re cooking up a party for New Year’s or another event, this cheap jungle juice recipe is for you.
This Jungle Juice recipe sounded dangerous at first. Then when I found out what it was, there was no doubt. 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 in Jungle Juice?
Fruit juice hides the taste of the alcohol. So 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’re already on the floor.
Recipe Ingredients
- Fruit – Oranges, lemons, limes, strawberries, and pineapples sliced up into the punch bowl make a beautiful presentation. If you’re feeling extra, kiwi slices, blueberries, apples, or any fruit that can handle stirring.
- Alcohol – Rum, vodka, and triple sec (a delicious orange-flavored liqueur) give this amazing drink the alcohol content. But you can use tequila and brandy or leave it out entirely for a kid-friendly version.
- Tropical Fruit Juices – Pineapple juice, lemonade, orange juice, and fresh lime juice deliver a tropical twist. No worries if you don’t have everything on this list. Any tropical fruit juice you have will work fine.
- Lime Soda adds flavor, fizz, and sweetness. Ginger ale, cream soda, or any light-colored soda is delicious in any jungle juice recipe. You could even get away with sparkling water.
- Other Fruit Juices – Strawberry juice, cranberry juice, and fruit punch round out the fruity freshness.
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., is 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
- Adjust the Recipe – Is the party smaller or bigger than you originally planned? Use the calculator to adjust the measurements.
- 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 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 to eat 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, jungle juice can be made without alcohol by simply omitting the alcoholic ingredients. You can create a non-alcoholic version using fruit juices, soda, and other 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 jungle juice goes by! 😳
What Goes With Jungle Juice
This is a party drink, so it goes fabulously with party appetizers. Ham and cheese sliders, pulled pork eggrolls, and air-fryer coconut shrimp are amazing with jungle juice. Or you could just go all the way with a charcuterie board. Then you can enjoy hanging out with your friends instead of worrying about food.
More Fun Drinks to Try
- Strawberry Margarita – Fruity and citrusy, this drink is truly refreshing on a hot day.
- White Sangria – A twist on traditional sangria made with red wine.
- Mulled Wine – A hot drink for getting rid of a chill.
- Piña Colada – Feel like you’re relaxing at the beach, even if you’re in your backyard.
- Sorrel Drink – Pleasantly tart and sweet, this tropical drink is super refreshing.
Conclusion
And now you’re ready to party! 😆Give this juice a try, and let me know how much you love it! I’d love to hear how you served it and if you made any variations to the recipe in the comment section below. 🫶
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
The Fruit Garnish
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 2 limes, sliced
- 2 cups strawberry, sliced
- 2 cups pineapple, chopped
The Fruit Juices and Sodas
- 2 cups pineapple juice, 16-ounce bottle
- 4 cups strawberry juice, sub with lemonade
- 4 cups lemonade
- 2 cups orange juice, 16-ounce bottle
- 1 or 2 cans lime soda, 12-ounce each
- 4 cups fruit punch, 1 liter
- 2 cups cranberry juice,
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
The Alcohol
- 2 cups rum, about ½ of a 750 ml bottle
- 2 cups vodka, about ½ of a 750 ml bottle
- 1 cup triple sec, optional
Instructions
The Fruit
- Add fruits to a large drink dispenser or bowl.
The Alcohol, Juice, and Soda
- 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.
Kalos says
Everyone loved this recipe but don’t expect to get drunk or even a buzz from it.
Imma says
Glad you liked it! 🙂