There’s something magical about a punch that looks as festive as it tastes, and Gumdrop Punch delivers exactly that. This whimsical beverage combines the nostalgic sweetness of gumdrops with sparkling refreshment, creating a drink that’s equal parts conversation starter and crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a birthday party, baby shower, or just want to add some fun to an ordinary afternoon, this colorful concoction brings instant joy to any gathering. What makes this punch truly special is how the gumdrops infuse their fruity flavors into the drink while creating a stunning visual display. As they bob and swirl in the fizzy liquid, they release subtle sweetness and create a rainbow effect that delights both kids and adults. It’s surprisingly simple to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and about 45 minutes from start to finish, most of which is hands-off steeping time.
Why I Love These
This punch transforms ordinary ingredients into something that feels genuinely special and celebratory without any complicated techniques.
The balance of sweet, tart, and fizzy creates a refreshing drink that’s never cloying, while the gumdrops add playful texture and visual appeal.
I make this whenever I need a show-stopping beverage that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum impact at parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
- Assorted gumdrops
- Granulated sugar
- Water
- Fresh lemon juice
- Lemon-lime soda
- Ginger ale
- Pineapple juice
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves (optional garnish)
How To Make
- Begin by sorting your gumdrops by color if desired, removing any black or dark purple ones that might muddy the punch’s appearance. Place about two-thirds of the gumdrops in a medium saucepan with water and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely and the gumdrops begin to soften and release their color, about 8-10 minutes. Don’t worry if they don’t dissolve entirely—you’ll strain this mixture later.
- Once the gumdrop syrup has developed a vibrant color and the liquid tastes noticeably sweet and fruity, remove from heat and let it steep for 20-25 minutes. This resting time allows maximum flavor extraction. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large punch bowl, pressing gently on the softened gumdrops to extract all the flavorful liquid. Discard the spent gumdrops.
- Add the fresh lemon juice and pineapple juice to the gumdrop syrup in the punch bowl, stirring well to combine. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed—the mixture should be quite sweet at this stage since you’ll be adding fizzy sodas next.
- Just before serving, add ice cubes to the punch bowl, then slowly pour in the chilled lemon-lime soda and ginger ale. Pour gently down the side of the bowl to preserve carbonation. Stir very gently once or twice to incorporate.
- Drop the remaining fresh gumdrops into the punch—they’ll float and sink at different rates, creating a fun visual effect. If using mint leaves, add them now as a fresh garnish. Ladle into glasses, making sure each serving gets a few colorful gumdrops. Serve immediately while the punch is still bubbly and cold.
Nutrition
Gumdrop Punch is an indulgent, sugar-forward beverage best enjoyed as an occasional treat at special events. Each serving contains primarily simple carbohydrates from the gumdrops, sugar, fruit juice, and sodas, providing quick energy but minimal nutritional density. This makes it ideal for celebrations where you want something fun and festive rather than a health-focused option.
To lighten the recipe, you can reduce the amount of added sugar in the gumdrop syrup since the candies themselves contribute sweetness, or substitute sugar-free gumdrops and diet sodas to significantly cut calories. Adding more pineapple juice or fresh citrus juice increases vitamin C content while diluting the overall sugar concentration. You can also extend the punch with sparkling water instead of using all soda.
This punch contains gelatin (from the gumdrops), making it unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans unless you source gelatin-free gummy candies. It’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Those watching sugar intake for diabetes or other health reasons should enjoy this in very small portions or skip it entirely, as it can cause rapid blood sugar spikes.
Tips & Variations
- Make the gumdrop syrup up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container, then add the sodas and ice just before serving to maintain maximum fizz.
- Create a tropical version by using orange soda instead of lemon-lime, adding coconut water, and garnishing with fresh pineapple chunks and maraschino cherries.
- For an adult version, add a splash of vodka, rum, or champagne to individual servings, keeping the base punch kid-friendly for mixed-age gatherings.
- Use color-coordinated gumdrops to match party themes—all pink and red for Valentine’s Day, orange and black for Halloween, or pastels for baby showers.
- Freeze some gumdrops in ice cubes beforehand so they keep the punch cold without diluting it as quickly as regular ice.
Ways To Serve Them
- Serve in a large glass punch bowl with a ladle and colorful cups at birthday parties, letting guests serve themselves
- Pour into individual mason jars with striped paper straws for a charming vintage presentation at outdoor gatherings
- Pair with finger foods like mini sandwiches, cheese and crackers, or vegetable crudités for a balanced party spread
- Serve alongside sheet cake, cupcakes, or cookies as the signature beverage at children’s celebrations
- Offer as a welcome drink at baby showers or bridal showers, garnished with color-coordinated gumdrops
Proper Storage
- Fridge: Store the gumdrop syrup base (before adding sodas) in an airtight container or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Once sodas are added, the punch loses carbonation quickly and should be consumed within 2-3 hours for best quality.
- Freezer: The gumdrop syrup can be frozen in ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using. Do not freeze the completed punch as the carbonation will be lost and the texture compromised.
- Reheat: This punch is served cold only and should not be reheated. If you have leftover flat punch, you can chill it thoroughly and use it as a flavored syrup over ice cream or mix it into fresh soda water to restore some fizz.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups rainbow sherbet.
- 2 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream.
- 4 liters Cherry 7-Up, very chilled.
- Red food coloring (optional).
- Whipped cream for topping (optional).
- Gumdrops for garnish (optional).
Steps
- Add rainbow sherbet and vanilla ice cream to large punch bowl. Reserve some sherbet for garnish if desired.
- Slowly pour in chilled Cherry 7-Up. Stir gently if too foamy.
- Add food coloring if desired for more vibrant color.
- Top with additional sherbet, whipped cream, and gumdrops if desired.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 198 kcal