Your Next Party Needs This Retro Coffee Punch

Out-of-towners might not recognize that punch bowl at the end of the buffet. Is it a giant bowl of chocolate milkshake? Nope, as Southerners will immediately recognize, that’s the coffee punch, of course!

This traditional Southern recipe has many variations—each unique to the maker—but all coffee punches share similar basic ingredients: These are coffee, milk, vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, sugar, and whipped cream. Yes, it’s rich… and delicious!

Coffee Punch Ingredients

To make this coffee punch, start with instant espresso granules (like Starbucks). Add coffee liquor if you desire, or hold it out for a virgin version. You’ll also need whole milk, granulated sugar, chocolate syrup, chocolate ice cream, vanilla ice cream, and bittersweet chocolate for shavings. 

How to Make Coffee Punch

Make this impressive coffee punch recipe (that serves 12) with just 15 minutes of active effort. Just make sure you leave time for the ice ring to freeze.

1. Start by whisking together instant espresso granules with boiling water until dissolved. While the coffee cools, stir in liqueur (if desired) and milk. Pour into a Bundt pan and freeze until frozen (at least six hours).
2. Now remove the pan from the freezer, and run it under warm water to release it from the pan. Put the ring on a freezer-safe plate, and freeze again.
3. Whisk together sugar, boiling water, and the rest of the espresso, and then stir to combine the remaining milk.
4. Drizzle chocolate syrup all around the inside of a punch bowl. Add the milk mixture and ice cream to the bowl, stirring until just melted. Place the ice ring into the bowl, and garnish with chocolate shavings.

Where Does Coffee Punch Come From?

While the exact origin of coffee punch isn’t known, it’s generally speculated that this traditional Southern recipe got its start at church luncheons. Church-goers wanting a sweeter take on the traditional coffee turned it into this indulgent treat. And from there, the recipe spread to showers, adding a sweet touch to brunch or lunch.

Coffee Punch Recipe Tips

Although this recipe calls for coffee and milk in the ice ring, you can make it stronger by leaving the milk out. This will result in a darker ring that has greater visual contrast against the creamy punch, if you prefer.

You might also consider cutting the amount of mixture used in the ice ring by half or a third. This will result in a thinner ring, which you might find more usually appealing or easier to ladle—it’s up to you and the size of your bowl.

If your punch bowl isn't very big, consider freezing mini Bundt shapes, like we did in this Easter Brunch Punch, or even shapely ice cubes.

How To Serve Coffee Punch

Serve coffee punch as a sweet alternative—or in addition—to coffee at a brunch, shower, or holiday gathering. It’s especially ideal after a meal and on warmer days.

Coffee punch hits all the sweet notes you want in a dessert, plus the taste (and caffeine!) of coffee… all in one pretty package.

As the ice cream melts, it becomes creamier and richer. But thanks to the coffee ring, it doesn’t dilute but rather gives more flavor to the punch as it melts. So it holds its own on a buffet for the duration of the event.

More Southern Punch Recipes

• Milk Punch
• Shoo-Fly Punch
• Mississippi Bourbon Punch
• Rainbow Sherbet Punch

Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin.