Looking for a unique and delicious beverage to serve at your next gathering?
This Easy Coffee Punch Recipe is a traditional Southern classic that will wow your guests with its rich, creamy flavor and refreshing kick. Made with cold brew coffee, this creamy punch is perfect for any occasion, from baby showers to elegant parties. Once you try it you'll be absolutely obsessed.
This recipe always has everyone asking for more!
Table of Contents
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways
- Southern coffee punch combines the bold flavor of cold brew coffee with creamy, sweet ingredients for a drink that's both refreshing and indulgent. Ok - mostly indulgent.
- It's traditional at brunches, baby and bridal showers, and holidays. Pretty much any type of gathering that you want to have a little old-south charm.
- Allow the sugar/coffee mixture to cool before pouring it over the ice cream so it doesn’t make your coffee punch warm and soupy.
Chocolate milkshake meets iced coffee mocha in this delicious Southern cold coffee punch.
Ignore the calorie count and indulge in a rich, sweet glass or two—y’all deserve it!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
- Add a boozy twist: Mix in a splash of coffee liqueur or bourbon for an adult version.
- Different flavors: Try using flavored ice cream like caramel or mocha to switch up the taste.
- Non-dairy options: Use almond milk or coconut milk, a non-dairy whip, and dairy-free ice cream for a non-dairy version.
- Make your own coffee concentrate: Use a pound of strong coffee grounds brewed in three to four quarts of cold water.
- Flavor change: Replace the scoops of vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream with caramel or coffee ice cream for extra flavor!
- Spike it: Add one cup of your favorite liqueur to make spiked coffee punch. Kalúha and Irish Cream amp up the coffee flavor beautifully!
- Garnish it: Sprinkle ground cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the whipped cream for a little spice.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
Mix coffee concentrate with brown sugar in a saucepan on low heat until the sugar dissolves.
Pour coffee mixture over the ice cream in a large bowl.
Blend until the ice cream melts.
Garnish with whipped cream and grated chocolate.
🤫 Cook's secrets -
For an extra special touch, rim the cups with chocolate syrup and dip them in sugar or grated chocolate before serving the punch. It adds a little sparkle and an extra hint of sweetness.
🍴 Equipment
- punch bowl
- ladle
- punch cups
- mixing spoon
- ice cream scoop
- measuring cups
🥫 How to store leftovers
Store leftover coffee punch in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. I like to put it in a glass pitcher with a tight-fitting top for easy pouring.
Otherwise, freeze coffee punch and enjoy it up to three months later! You can also freeze it in an ice cube tray to make frozen coffee cubes—great for iced coffee and boozy cocktails!
Stir well before serving again, as the ingredients may separate slightly.
Marye's Tip
Always, always, always wait until the sugar coffee mixture has completely cooled before you pour it over the ice cream. Hot coffee—or even slightly warm coffee—will make your punch soupy and melt the whipped cream topping.
💭 Things to know
- To make fresh whipped cream, whip it up with an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until you have soft peaks. Add the sugar, then continue whipping until it reaches firm peaks. Don't overwhip or you'll have sweet butter.
- Make sure the sugar dissolves into the coffee concentrate so you don’t get a gritty texture in your coffee punch.
- Cut out the brown sugar if you prefer a less sweet punch.
- Don’t forget to garnish with chocolate shavings! It really enhances the flavor of coffee punch and adds a fun, decorative touch.
- Chill a large punch bowl in the freezer/fridge. Then, set the punch bowl into a larger bowl filled with ice when serving so it stays cold longer.
- Serve this sweet treat in chilled punch glasses or cute Mason jars.
👩🍳 FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
Yes, you can use regular brewed coffee, but let it cool completely before using it in the punch. Cold brew coffee provides a smoother, less acidic flavor.
Sure! Decaf is fine.
📚 Related recipes
🍽️ Repurpose leftovers
- Turn leftover coffee punch into coffee ice cream popsicles by freezing it in molds.
- Or, pour it into an ice cream maker and make delicious mocha ice cream.
- Use leftover punch as a base for a decadent iced coffee by adding more cold brew and ice.
📞 The last word
Just about every Southern woman I've ever known has a coffee punch recipe that's been handed down from her mama and her mama's mama and even her... well, you get the idea.
Go to almost any bridal shower, baby shower, or party in the South and next to the sausage cheese balls, old fashioned fudge, and butter mints you're sure to find a punch bowl filled to the brim with a frothy, creamy, chocolatey punch - it might even be spiked.
People who don't even like coffee will be gulping this down! It's just so good.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Southern Coffee Punch
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1 pint cold brew coffee concentrate
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 1 quart chocolate ice cream
- 1 quart vanilla ice cream
- 1 pint heavy cream, whipped and sweetened to taste
- 1 ounce chocolate bar, for garnish
- 1 cup Irish Cream Liqueur, optional
Instructions
- Heat 1 cup of the cold brew concentrate up with the brown sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
- Place scoops of the softened chocolate and vanilla ice cream in a large punch bowl.
- Pour the brown sugar coffee mixture and the cold brew concentrate over the top. Add the Irish Cream liqueur if using.
- Gently stir until the ice cream melts and the punch is blended.
- Top with the lightly sweetened whipped cream.
- Grate some chocolate over the top for garnish.
Notes
- Chill a large punch bowl in the freezer/fridge. Then, set the punch bowl into a larger bowl filled with ice when serving so it stays cold longer.
- Don’t forget to garnish with chocolate shavings!
- Try caramel or coffee ice cream in place of vanilla or chocolate.
- Cut out the brown sugar if you prefer a less sweet punch.
- Make sure the sugar dissolves into the coffee concentrate so you don’t get a gritty texture in your coffee punch.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published on October 18, 2018. Last updated June 6, 2024, for more helpful tips and information.
Cindy Rinaman Marsch says
Marye, I remember you from the PHS forum on AOL! 🙂 I was just browsing recipes for coffee punch and thought yours looked like a good choice for my second daughter's wedding this summer. 🙂
Marye says
Wow! Hi Cindy! It's been a long time! This punch is really delicious. I think I shared it in the group one time. Congrats!
Shikha Singh says
Good luck to all the USA residents instant pot is the best I wanted it for my mama but it costs ₹2000 seriously unaffordable ?...hope the most needy wins this...
And great recipe but the products are too costly here in India can you make something budget friendly... without cream and chocolate and all that...
Thank you❤️ you're the best
Buddy Garrett says
It sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.
Elizabeth Miller says
I am in love with the insta pot. I keep telling everyone I want one.
Sarah Mayer says
All these recipes are making my mouth water!!
thanks for the chance to win some amazing prizes.
Suzanne Smith says
Classic and Southern. My two favourite words put together!
Hesper Fry says
I have never had a coffee punch but this sounds really good!
Amy Greenwood says
That coffee punch looks amazing, I really want to try it!
LILLIAN BROWN says
Thank You You're the best . Love chocolate
Cathy says
Coffee Punch, sausage balls and butter mints - yep that about sums it up. The punch sounds divine - haven't had it in years!
Marye Audet says
It's still as good as you remember!
Lynda Hardy says
That looks so tasty!