This isn’t just a punch, this is a whole Southern tradition. Ice cold and frothy with chocolate and vanilla ice creams, this decadent coffee drink is the matriarch of all southern party punch recipes.
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Affogato. Frappé. Whatever you call it, little southern ladies have been pairing up coffee and ice cream since the 1950s, making it in batches and calling it coffee punch. And chances are, if you’ve lived in the South very long, you’ve encountered a party bowl well appointed with a batch of this milkshake-like concoction somewhere along the line.
I remember the first time this punch every crossed my lips. We were at a small town event with sparkly lights in the trees. The ladies behind the refreshments table were going through more cartons of ice cream than I could count. That poor punch bowl stayed empty no matter how hard they worked. Their coffee punch was the talk of the night.
Why This Needs To Be At Your Next Party
- You can’t go wrong with a true classic, and this retro recipe was a standard in the South at church luncheons, all the wedding and baby showers, book club meetings and most holidays for decades.
- Like all punch recipes, it’s ridiculously easy to make, but the payoff is huge.
- Chocolate + vanilla ice creams, real whipped cream + coffee. No fake creamers or other ingredients. Just real goodness your grandma would have used.
- Everybody’s known for something. Why shouldn’t this decadent coffee punch be your thing?
What To Know Before Getting Started
I’ll walk through an overview of ingredients & steps in these next sections along with helpful tips!
Look for specifics at the end of the post in the recipe card.
- strong brewed coffee
- heavy whipping cream
- vanilla extract
- salt
- sugar
- vanilla ice cream
- chocolate ice cream
- chocolate shavings for garnish (optional)
The Right Coffee To Use
- Just add an extra teaspoon or two of your regular ground coffee to your coffee maker when you brew it to make stronger coffee.
- Buy a stronger roast and just make your coffee as you normally would. A dark roast works great, as does a French roast.
- I like an espresso blend.
- If I’m feeling extra Southern, I use Chicory and brew it strong.
- You can also buy a strong, or dark roast, cold brew from your grocery store.
If You Really Want The Best Punch…
- Whipped topping you can buy (from a tub or a nozzled can) is not the same thing as real whipped cream in texture or taste. I don’t recommend it if you are looking to make an exceptional punch.
- Other shortcut ingredients like coffee creamers and chilled coffee drinks tend to be noticeable in this simple recipe. Plain, real ingredients work best.
- Accordingly, use the very best ice cream, chocolate, and coffee you can. The better the ingredients, the better this simple punch will be.
- If you want to amp up the mocha appeal, add 1-2 tablespoon of cocoa powder to your coffee grounds when brewing. Or mix the cocoa powder with a splash of hot water to make a paste and whisk it into your coffee, sugar, cream mixture.
- Always use cooled coffee. Hot or even warm coffee will melt your whipped cream and ice cream.
- To prep this ahead of time, go ahead and scoop your ice cream, leaving the scoops in the ice cream container and putting the container back in the freezer. Make an extra batch of coffee mixture and whipped cream and store in the fridge until you need it.
And how could anyone not be? Ice cream, coffee, clouds of whipped topping… Your guests will be giddy when they see that giant bowl on your buffet line. They’ve been waiting and hoping for one luxurious cup of coffee punch this party season. And of course, they’ll find it at your house. You are, after all, the hostess with the mostest.
Classic Southern Party Punch
Ingredients
- 6 C strong brewed coffee
- ¼ C sugar + 1 Tbsp
- 4 C whipping cream, divided in half
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- dash salt
- ½ quart vanilla ice cream
- ½ quart chocolate ice cream
- chocolate shavings, optional garnish
Instructions
- Whisk cooled coffee, ¼ C sugar, 2 C cream, vanilla and salt together until frothy. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, whip 2 C cream and 1 tablespoon sugar together until medium to stiff peaks form. Set aside.
- Using an ice cream scoop, scoop both ice creams into bottom of punch bowl. Pour coffee mixture over them. Gently stir to partially melt the ice cream.
- Top with whipped cream and garnish with chocolate shavings. Serve immediately!
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Pomegranate Lime Punch
- Pineapple Orange Fizzies
- Red Hot Cranberry Cider
- Spiced Caramel Apple Cider
- Strawberry Iced Tea
***Pin This Classic Coffee Punch Recipe***
Barbie
I actually refrigerated leftovers and it was even more delicious the next day! I know you wouldn’t think so but I poured the leftovers into a cleaned “Simply Lemonaide” container which had an additional 2 cups of cold strong brewed Starbucks french roast in it. Had it the next day for a pick me up mid day. OH MY Lanta! It was frothy and delicious!!!
LOL, Barbie! I love it! Such a great idea for a pick me up the next day! I am just tickled you enjoyed this coffee punch. It is one of my very favorite party recipes. Thank you so much for making it and loving it!
KC
perfect this is so great for parties and special events
Hi, Kathy! Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed this!
Shannon
Hi I’m about to make this for this Saturday but wondering if it’s ok to brew coffee the night before to make prep easier since I have tons of other things to do on Saturday?
Hi, Shannnon! Yes, it is! The stronger, the better! Just make sure to refrigerate your coffee overnight!
Ros
I think I just died and went to Heaven! Never heard of such a thing but it’s sounds glorious! Where has this been all my life??
❤️ And it does not disappoint! I hope you make it soon!
Angie
make this!! made this for our ladies breakfast. I should have tripled the recipe since I only got one cup of it!
Hi, Angie! I am just tickled everyone in your ladies group loved this old recipe! It does go quickly. I’m sorry you only got one cup. It just means you’re a great hostess! ❤️
Kim
I love this for a brunch. I put Kahlua or Tia Maria on the side in case someone wants to spike his or her cup!
Hi, Kim! I love it for brunch too! Perfect idea- I love it!
Daria
I make it every time I have a large group of people and it’s always a hit!
Hi, Daria! Yay! I love this punch so much, and I am so glad you do too!