This traditional Southern Coffee Punch recipe is always a party crowd-pleaser. It’s full of coffee flavor but served cold with ice cream.
This delightful concoction is perfect for brunch, a backyard barbecue, or any occasion that calls for a caffeine kick with a twist.
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Why this Southern Coffee Punch Recipe is a Keeper
The first time I heard about cold Coffee Punch, a friend was telling me about Southern wedding traditions. Apparently, this deliciousness is served at Southern bridal showers.
- Easy Ingredients: All easy ingredients. This punch sounds like an adult milkshake. Yum!
- Adaptable: I’d love to try this with different flavors of ground coffee.
- Crowd Pleaser: A punch bowl filled with this delicious punch is a really popular drink at every party.
What can I add to coffee punch for flavor?
Experiment with different flavors like caramel, hazelnut, or mint. You can also add fruit purees or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Ingredient Notes for Cold Coffee Punch
- Instant Coffee: Make with the coffee you enjoy. There are bold brews, mild brews or even flavored.
- Sugar: You can also use an alternative sweetener such as Splenda if you wish.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions
You can make the coffee concentrate ahead of party time.
- Coffee: You can of course prepare the coffee ahead of time and store to cool until ready to assemble.
- Ice Cream: You can scoop the ice cream and have it ready to add to the punch. When ready combine the coffee and ice cream.
Special Equipment- A Large Punch Bowl
- Punch Bowl: The cenerpiece to a beautiful table.
Brew Coffee Pro Tip
Let your coffee concentrate cool completely before combining it with the other ingredients. Before the ice cream melts.
Hot coffee will melt your ice cream and ruin the creamy texture of your punch. Taking the time to let it cool ensures a smooth and delicious final product.
How to Make the Southern Classic Bridal Shower Punch
Everyone thanks for sharing the recipe. Just 1 cup and they will be hooked.
These are the basic steps for making recipe for coffee punch. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Make Your Coffee
First add bowling water, add coffee granulators and sugar into a large bowl to make your own coffee concentrate. Stir gently.
2. Pour Coffee Mixture into a Jar or Pitcher and Allow the Coffee Mixture to Cool
Place into the fridge and chill for a minimum of 30 minutes up to over night. Add to a punch bowl and pour in the milk. Then add in chocolate mocha liqueur and Rumchata (optional). Mix to combine.
3. Scoop in Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream
Next, add in the vanilla ice cream and chocolate ice cream and whipped topping.
4. Serve the Best Iced Coffee Punch and add a Little Cookie
Finally, top the creamy punch with crushed cookies right before serving.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Coffee Punch with Ice Cream
This decadent boozy punch is an indulgent treat for your next party. The flavor of coffee and ice cream unite for an incredibly delicious, refreshing coffee punch that will leave your guests asking for more.
- Storing: The coffee syrup can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for about a week. For best results, the punch shouldn’t be mixed up in advance.
- Using Leftovers: It is very rare that there are leftovers of the easy coffee punch. However you can store in an airtight jar and use it as an iced coffee any time you wish.
Variations and Substitutions for Frothy Cream and Chocolate Punch
You can make this coffee drink with different variations for your next gathering.
- Decaf: If you are not a coffee drinker or if you do not like caffeine you can make this drink with decaf.
Frosty Coffee Punch Recipe FAQs and Reader Interactions
Of course you can finish the punch with whipping cream, chocolate shavings, chocolate syrup or baby shower inspired sprinkles.
You can use a dairy free vanilla and chocolate ice cream, almond milk if you need a dairy free version.
Instant coffee is a dehydrated form of coffee that can be quickly prepared by adding hot water. It’s made from regular coffee beans that are roasted, ground, and brewed. The resulting coffee is then dried into a powder or granules.
Expert Tips for Making Recipe for Coffee Punch
You will be asked to make this for every shower or party. It is best to keep the punch cold.
- Cool: While the recipe says to let the coffee cool for 30 minutes, I found it best to let it sit in the fridge overnight. I liked how the flavor intensified overnight.
- Alcohol: I added chocolate liqueur and Rumchata to my punch, but you can easily substitute your favorite liqueur – Bailey’s irish cream would be good as would whiskey or dark rum or kahlua. Also, you can make an a liquer free version if you wish.
- Flavored Coffee: If you want to make a flavored coffee punch, you can add a flavored coffee creamer in place of the milk. Just be sure to adjust the sugar so it’s not too sweet.
- Strong Coffee: You can use instant coffee, espresso, brewed coffee instead or even a cold brew coffee concentrate from the store. Even use a coffee ice cream.
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Southern Coffee Punch
Equipment
- Punch Bowl
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Ingredients
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 ounces instant coffee granules
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ gallon vanilla ice cream
- ½ gallon chocolate ice cream
- 1 gallon whole milk
- 4 ounces whipped topping, thawed
- 15 Cookies, crushed
Optional:
- 1 cup chocolate liqueur
- 1 cup Rumchata
Instructions
- Add boiling water to a large bowl.
- Stir in coffee granules and sugar until dissolved.
- Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Add to a punch bowl and stir in the gallon of milk.
- Add in chocolate liqueur and Rumchata (optional). Stir to combine.
- Top with the vanilla and chocolate ice cream and whipped topping.
- Top with crushed Loacker wafers right before serving.
- Serve cold.
Christina’s Notes
- Cool: While the recipe says to let the coffee cool for 30 minutes, I found it best to let it sit in the fridge overnight. I liked how the flavor intensified overnight.
- Alcohol: I added chocolate liqueur and Rumchata to my punch, but you can easily substitute your favorite liqueur – Bailey’s irish cream would be good as would whiskey or dark rum or kahlua. Also, you can make an a liquer free version if you wish.
- Flavored Coffee: If you want to make a flavored coffee punch, you can add a flavored coffee creamer in place of the milk. Just be sure to adjust the sugar so it’s not too sweet.
- Strong Coffee: You can use instant coffee, espresso, brewed coffee instead or even a cold brew coffee concentrate from the store. Even use a coffee ice cream.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Where did the gallon of whole milk go in the recipe? At what point?
I’ve read it a few times and I must be overlooking it.
I have updated the recipe, thank you for bringing it to my attention.
My family just pours the coffee over one block each of chocolate ice cream and vanilla ice cream. It helps start the melting if the coffee is just barely warm. Stir and serve. So simple and so good! We normally make this for Christmas morning brunch.
Thank you for the feedback I will definitely have to try that!
Anything with coffee in will go down well with my family and friends this was amazing. I never thought to use it in a punch but this may now be one of my favourites to serve.
Holy YES! I love anything coffee and this gives me an excuse to have coffee with my dessert! Yummy.
This reminds me so much of a white russian, but alcohol free. Perfect! The kids LOVED it.
Girl, how did you know I love coffee and ice cream? This punch was a HUGE hit!
I would add some cool whip to it or milk
I would add a little spiced rum!
I would add caramel to mine as well!