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Enjoy a non-alcoholic Grinch Punch this holiday season - it's easy to make and has just the right balance of sweet and sour with just a touch of bitterness. The cute red salted rim is just another reason why this mocktail is always a hit.
Why you will love this recipe
- It's well balanced and tasty with just the right amount of sweet & sour - and just a touch of bitterness
- It's easy to make - but will still impress!
- Perfect to prep ahead - just add ice & Sprite right before serving
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Red food coloring - I used gel food coloring as it turns the salt really red but doesn't make it too wet. You can also use liquid food coloring or skip it entirely.
- Green food coloring - here I like a liquid version for easier mixing
- Fine table salt can be swapped for margarita salt or salt flakes
- Lemon - you're using the rind so please wash it carefully, and choose organic if you can
- Sprite - any lemon/lime flavored soda will do
How to make it
Before you start, you need to make the red salt (click the link for a great instruction with images). Basically, do it by adding salt and just a little bit of red food coloring to a plastic bag, closing it tightly, and massaging the bag to mix.
- Wet the rim of the glass with a lemon slice or some water and dip in the red salt until coated. Then place the lemon rind in the glass
- Use a muddler to press the rind, this allows the oils to release
- Squeeze in the lemon juice
- Add green food coloring
- Mix
- Fill up with Sprite, and serve your Grinch Punch!
Tips & tricks
- Prep ahead and just wait to add ice and Sprite until just before serving
- Make for a crowd by mixing lemon rind, juice, and food coloring in a jug and pouring in individual glasses
- Make it low carb by using soda water instead of Sprite. Less sweet, still tasty.
- Add a shot of alcohol if you want to - vodka and gin would both work well
Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can! I recommend vodka or gin.
Yes, you can skip both the red and green food coloring, and it will still be a nice, festive, mocktail!
More festive mocktails for grown-ups!
Do you like mocktails that still feel festive & like something a grown-up would drink, like this Grinch Punch? Then I think you will love these options:
Did you love this Grinch Punch? Rate it 5 stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Ingredients
Red Salt
- fine table salt
- red food coloring
Green Punch
- ½ lemon juice and rind
- 2 drops green food coloring
- ⅔ cups Sprite
- ice
Instructions
Red Salt
- Mix the salt with the red food coloring. Use just a little bit of food coloring to avoid the salt getting to wet. If it gets very wet, you can let it dry in room temperature before using.
Grinch Punch
- Rub the rim of a glass with a lemon slice or some water, then dip in the red salt to coat.
- Wash the lemon carefully and peel the rind with a potato peeler or knife. Place the rind in the glass and use a muddler to press into the rind to release the oils.
- Add lemon juice and green food coloring, and mix.
- Add ice, fill up with Sprite, and serve!
Equipment needed for this recipe
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Red food coloring - I used gel food coloring as it turns the salt really red but doesn't make it too wet. You can also use liquid food coloring or skip it entirely.
- Green food coloring - here I like a liquid version for easier mixing
- Fine table salt can be swapped for margarita salt or salt flakes
- Lemon - you're using the rind so please wash it carefully, and choose organic if you can
- Sprite - any lemon/lime flavored soda will do
Tips & tricks
- Prep ahead and just wait to add ice and Sprite until just before serving
- Make for a crowd by mixing lemon rind, juice, and food coloring in a jug and pouring into to the glasses
- Make it low carb by using soda water instead of Sprite. Less sweet, still tasty.
- Add a shot of alcohol if you want to - vodka and gin would both work well
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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