Non alcoholic punch is one of the most underrated party drinks. It looks impressive in a big bowl, it scales up easily for a crowd, it suits everyone at the table regardless of whether they're drinking or not, and it costs a fraction of buying individual soft drinks or mocktails.

These six cheap non alcoholic punch recipes use simple ingredients you can find in any supermarket - fruit juices, sparkling water, ginger ale, kombucha - and most of them take under five minutes to put together. They work for summer garden parties, birthday gatherings, Christmas celebrations, baby showers, and everything in between.

Tips for making non alcoholic punch at home

Before getting into the recipes, a few quick tips that make a real difference:

Use fresh ingredients where possible. Freshly squeezed citrus juice tastes noticeably better than carton juice in a punch. Even just squeezing a couple of lemons or limes makes it feel more homemade.

Make it in advance. If you can, mix the juices and fruits together a few hours before and leave in the fridge. The flavours blend and mellow together much better than when everything is mixed at the last minute.

Think about ice. Large ice cubes or frozen fruit pieces keep the punch cold without diluting it as quickly as lots of small cubes. Frozen berries or sliced frozen citrus look beautiful and work brilliantly.

Garnish generously. Sliced fruits floating in the punch bowl make it look far more appealing and add flavour as they sit. Mint sprigs, edible flowers, or a dusting of cinnamon on warm punches all work well.

Reduce sugar where needed. Several of these recipes use ginger ale or lemon-lime soda. If you want a lower sugar version, a good quality ginger kombucha or fruit kombucha works as a direct swap and adds a natural effervescence without the refined sugar. Worth knowing if you're trying to cut down on sugar.

Scale up easily. All the recipes below are a starting point - double, triple or quadruple the quantities depending on the size of your punch bowl and how many guests you're serving.

The method for all cold punches is the same: combine all the juices and ingredients in a large bowl or jug, add ice, add any garnishes, stir well and serve. The warm spiced punch at the end has a slightly different method which is noted in the recipe.

1. Fruity Fresh Punch

A classic crowd-pleaser that works for any occasion. The combination of orange, pineapple and cranberry is bright, balanced and appeals to almost everyone.

• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups ginger ale or ginger kombucha
• Ice cubes
• Sliced fruits to garnish (optional)

Cost tip: Own-brand fruit juices work perfectly well here. Pineapple and cranberry juice are widely available at budget supermarkets for under £1 each.

2. Tropical Treat Punch

Perfect for summer parties or any time you want a holiday-in-a-glass feel. Coconut water adds a subtle tropical note without making it too sweet.

• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 cups lemon-lime soda or tropical kombucha
• Ice cubes
• Sliced mango, pineapple or lime to garnish (optional)

Cost tip: Coconut water is available in most supermarkets from around £1 for a small carton - more than enough for this recipe.

3. Berry Bliss Punch

A rich, deep-coloured punch that looks stunning in a bowl and tastes great. The sparkling water keeps it light and not overly sweet. Works beautifully for winter parties as well as summer ones.

• 2 cups cranberry juice
• 1 cup grape juice
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh or frozen berries to garnish (optional)

Cost tip: Frozen berries are far cheaper than fresh and work just as well as a garnish - they also help keep the punch cold.

4. Sparkling Citrus Punch

Light, zingy and refreshing - this one is perfect for brunch, baby showers or afternoon gatherings. It has a champagne-like quality which makes it feel a little more special.

• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 cup grapefruit juice
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups sparkling water or club soda
• Ice cubes
• Sliced citrus fruits to garnish (optional)

Cost tip: Grapefruit juice is one of the cheaper fruit juices available and gives this punch a sophisticated edge that more expensive ingredients don't always match.

5. Summer Sangria Punch

A non-alcoholic twist on classic sangria that looks as impressive as the original. The fruit soaking in the punch gives it a genuine sangria feel - best made a few hours ahead.

• 2 cups apple juice
• 1 cup white grape juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups lemon-lime soda
• Ice cubes
• Sliced strawberries, oranges and lemons

Cost tip: This is one of the cheapest punches on the list - apple juice and grape juice are both widely available for under £1 per carton.

6. Warm Spiced Apple Cider Punch

The only warm punch in the list and arguably the most impressive for autumn and winter gatherings. The smell alone when this is simmering is enough to set the mood for a cosy party.

• 2 cups alcohol-free apple cider
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups ginger ale or ginger kombucha
• Sliced apples to garnish (optional)

Method for the warm punch: In a saucepan, combine the apple cider, cranberry juice, lemon juice, cinnamon stick and nutmeg over a medium heat. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the cinnamon stick and pour into a punch bowl or heatproof jug. Stir in the ginger ale. Garnish with sliced apples if you like and serve warm.

Cost tip: This is an excellent punch for Christmas parties where the warm spiced smell adds to the atmosphere. Alcohol-free cider is available in most supermarkets and is often on offer around the festive season.

How to keep costs down when making punch for a crowd

Non alcoholic punch is already one of the most budget-friendly ways to serve drinks at a party, but a few extra habits keep costs down even further:

Buy own-brand juices. The difference in quality between branded and own-brand fruit juice is minimal in a mixed punch where multiple flavours are combined. Supermarket own-brand juices are perfectly good and significantly cheaper.

Use frozen fruit as garnish. Fresh fruit for garnishing adds up quickly. Frozen berries, frozen mango chunks and frozen citrus slices all look just as good in a bowl and cost a fraction of fresh.

Skip the fancy sparkling water. Any own-brand sparkling water or soda water works perfectly as the fizzy element in these recipes. There's no need for expensive mineral water.

Make a concentrate. Mix all the juice components in advance without the sparkling element. Store in the fridge and add the sparkling water or ginger ale just before serving to keep the fizz fresh.

Batch make and refill. Rather than making the full quantity at once, mix a concentrate and have a jug of sparkling water on the side. Top up the punch bowl as needed to keep it fresh throughout the event.

For more ideas on keeping party costs down, how to throw a big party on a small budget has plenty of practical tips. And if you're planning a garden party specifically, 9 tips for the perfect garden party covers everything from food to entertainment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest non alcoholic punch to make? The Summer Sangria Punch and Berry Bliss Punch are the most affordable on this list - both use apple juice as the base which is widely available for well under £1 per litre.

Can I make non alcoholic punch the night before? Yes - in fact most punches taste better made a few hours in advance. Mix all the still components and refrigerate overnight. Add any sparkling elements like ginger ale or sparkling water just before serving to keep the fizz.

How much punch do I need per person? Allow roughly 200ml to 250ml per person per hour. For a two-hour party of 20 people, that's approximately 8 to 10 litres - or about double each of the recipes above.

Can children drink these punches? Yes - all six of these recipes are fully non alcoholic and suitable for children. The warm spiced cider punch is particularly popular with kids at Christmas and fireworks parties.

---

Before you go...

If you're planning a party on a budget, budget-friendly kids party planning has some great ideas for keeping costs down without cutting corners. And for general money-saving tips that apply to any kind of entertaining, 100 best ways to save money in the UK is always worth a browse.