Depending on where you’re from, it could go by jungle juice, hooch, fadorade, spodie, hunch punch or something else entirely. Whatever you call it, it’s a dangerously sweet mix of fruit, juice, vodka and shame usually poured from a 5-gallon Gatorade cooler, or sometimes scooped from a trash can. Ah, college.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate how jungle juice does its job quickly without breaking the bank. However, it can get old as quickly as it can convince you that you can dance like Rihanna. Maybe it’s time to fill your red solo cups with something different.
GIF courtesy of giphy.com
These seven recipes sound fancy, but they require the same amount of time to throw together as jungle juice. Your friends will thank you for switching things up and so will your stomach. Even better, each recipe uses 5 ingredients or less (not including ice) and can fill 24-30 cups.
Kentucky Tea
Photo courtesy of @sparrowcoffeeco on Instagram
If you like Arnold Palmer’s, you’ll love this mix of iced tea, lemonade, honey whiskey, and orange. It’s refreshing, delicious, and super easy to throw together.
- 1 gallon iced tea
- 1 gallon lemonade
- 1 750mL bottle honey whiskey
- Orange slices
- Ice
Margaritas
Photo courtesy of @gracebrbnr on Instagram
Nothing says summer quite like a cold margarita on a hot day. Why not spread that summertime feeling by making this simple drink in bulk? To take your margarita to the next level, try infusing your tequila to create a totally different flavor.
- 2 cups lime Cointreau or Triple Sec
- 1 cup lime juice
- 1 70mL bottle silver tequila
- Salt (to rim cups)
- Ice
Sangria
Photo courtesy of @mrsjackofalltradez on Instagram
Probably the closest thing on this list to jungle juice, sangria combines fruit slice with wine, Prosecco, and juice to create a triple threat worth trying. Feel free to experiment with different wine and fruit, because there are thousands of great recipes out there.
- 1 750 mL bottle red wine
- 3 or more cups fruit slices (lime, lemon, orange) and berries
- 1/2 cup gin or triple sec
- 4 cups ginger ale
- 1/2 cup orange juice
Summer Beer
Photo courtesy of @staciediva22 on Instagram
This is basically a bigger version of a summer shandy. The combination of lemonade and beer is sure to please even the most loyal mixed drink-er. Plus, adding slices of lemon or grapefruit makes it look even better.
#SpoonTip: Cheap beer will do just fine, friend.
- 3 12-oz cans of frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
- 4 1/2 cups vodka
- 3 16-oz cans of beer
- Ice
Kalimotxo
Photo courtesy of @mrkstwd on Instagram
This one may have the most complicated name on the list, but it’s actually the most simple to make. Wine, cola, and lemon might sound like a strange trio, but it’s a traditional drink in Spain for a reason. Don’t knock it before you try it.
- 1 1/2 liters cola (4 12-oz bottles)
- 1 1/2 liters red wine
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
Moscow Mule
Photo courtesy of @sunlightandair on Instagram
Ginger beer (which is totally different than ginger ale) has been gaining popularity lately, and for good reason. Jump on the bandwagon with this big batch version of the classic Moscow Mule cocktail. Here’s a recipe for a slimmed-down, mellowed-out Moscow Mule.
- 6 16-oz bottles ginger beer
- 9 cups (72 oz) vodka
- 2 1/2 cups lime juice
#SpoonTip: add the ginger beer right before serving to keep it bubbly.
Malibu Bay Breezes
Photo courtesy of @maliburumsus on Instagram
The name fits this drink so perfectly that I don’t feel like I can describe it any better. Simply put, this drink is best served on the beach with a side of throwback jams of the 2000s.
- Equal parts orange juice, cranberry juice, and Malibu rum
Enjoy responsibly!