Melting Monster Halloween Punch
Melting Monster Punch is the perfect Halloween drink for kids and adults! Made with three simple ingredients, this lemon-lime mocktail is the perfect beverage for any Halloween gathering. Makes 1 drink, but can be turned into a pitcher or a punch bowl.
Love Halloween drinks? Don’t miss festive Fizzy Potion Halloween Punch, Apple Cider Punch with Sambucus and Spiced Apple Cider for delicious fall flavors!
Want to save this?
We'll email a link directly to you so you can come back to it later! Plus, you'll receive new recipes delivered to your inbox each week.
This post contains affiliate links.
2019 Update: This recipe was originally shared in October 2017. The includes more details, tips and tricks. I hope you love this sipper!
This punch is a nod to a punch that a sorority sister’s mom always made.
Whether it was for a shower or an informal get-together, her classic punch made an appearance, and I absolutely loved it.
However, I never got the recipe.
So when I was brainstorming Halloween drinks that would be kid friendly but also fun adults, I remembered that punch and thought I’d give it a shot.
Turns out, my tastebuds remembered the flavors and led the way… and we embraced the spooky spirit of the season (and our own creativity) by adding edible eyes!
Why we love this recipe
My daughter and her friend adored this Halloween punch for kids so much. They started sipping it out of straws, then requested spoons to scoop out the lime sherbet fizz.
Her friend’s mama and I? Well, we enjoyed watching our toddlers enjoying something so much and both sipped on our own punches, too!
It’s sweet — but not too sweet — and it’s fun to add those candy eyeballs, too, for a spooky touch and a playful twist.
This is a spooky Halloween drink that the whole family can love, and that’s something I can get behind. It’s perfect for this time of year, whether you’re sipping it before going to trick-or-treat or serving friends at a Halloween party!
Other Halloween treats and recipes you should check out: Dessert Nachos / Caramel Corn Cookies / Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies / Halloween Caramel Corn / Pumpkin Spice Kombucha Cocktail / Halloween Funfetti Cookies | 31 Halloween Recipes
What do I need to make this recipe?
Disclaimer: The links below are affiliate links. If you click through and take action, I will receive a small commission. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about the affiliate programs The Speckled Palate participates in.
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here is what you need to grab at the grocery store to make this green Halloween punch:
- Lemonade — homemade or store-bought is A-OK!
- Lemon-lime soda — use your favorite brand. You could also swap this with ginger ale if you like that, too. This adds some nice bubbles to the mixture.
- Lime sherbet — for that spooky green color!
- Candy eyeballs — because they kids loved adding these to their drinks for that fun Halloween twist! These are our garnishes, and turn the punch into a monster. Yes, they’ll more than likely sink, but it’s a fun factor for kids, and I won’t deny mine something delightful like this. If you don’t have these on hand, you could replace them with mini chocolate chips in a pinch.
Unlike a lot of mocktail recipes, we’re not using orange juice or pineapple juice. We’re also not adding any additional food coloring, though we all know that the sherbet has some.
How to make our favorite Halloween drink for kids
Make individual Melting Monster drinks
In a glass, pour in all of the lemonade and half of the lemon-lime soda. We used plastic party cups because our kids were drinking this punch, but you can use regular glasses, too, or even kids’ cups.
Scoop the sherbet into the glass.
Decorate with candy eyeballs! This is especially fun if you let the kids do it (or your party guests, who are kids at heart).
Eyeball tip!
The eyeballs will move as the sherbet melts, so some might slip into the drink. We had a hard time keeping them steady. Try to place the eyeballs intentionally so you don’t end up with lots in the bottom of your glass.
When the monster has its eyes, pour in the rest of the lemon-lime soda. This will cause the drink to fizz and look extra festive!
Enjoy immediately.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can make this into a Halloween pitcher or punch bowl drink! You could also put it in a cauldron for spooky effects for Halloween.
Combine 32 oz. lemonade, 32 oz. of lemon-lime soda and 8-10 scoops lime sherbet in a pitcher or punch bowl. Decorate with candy eyeballs or let guests add individual eyeballs to their glasses. Serve immediately.
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
Obviously, I think this monster punch is the perfect Halloween drink for kids and adults. It’s adorable and super fun to make. (It’s also really easy for easy entertaining, so that’s another win in my book!)
That said, there are a few things you can do to make it even easier:
- Make it in a punch bowl. This way, you can serve a crowd without needing to individually mix every drink.
- Measure out your ingredients in advance. You can’t make this drink in advance because the sherbet will melt, but you can have the ingredients lined up for when you’re ready to serve.
- Switch up the colors! We used lime sherbet because I liked the idea of making a green monster punch, but if you’re more into orange or raspberry sherbet, use that instead! The flavor profile will be different, but it’ll make for an equally delicious Halloween punch.
- Spike it! Obviously, you wouldn’t want to do this at a party with kids, but you could add a glug of a neutral alcohol or spirit to this if you are hosting an adults-only Halloween party.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, between the sherbet melting completely and the soda going flat, you do not want to make this until it is time to serve it.
Quick tips and tricks to the best Halloween punch
- Serve it for your crowd! With kids, use plastic cups so that your glasses don’t break. If just serving this to adults, consider turning it into a Halloween cocktail by adding a splash of vanilla vodka.
- Swap out the monster punch ingredients. Use ginger ale instead of soda. Limeade would make a delicious swap for the lemonade. Use a different flavor of sherbet if you want a monster of a different color. Just note that these swaps will all change the flavor profile of the drink.
- Make it into a punch bowl drink. Pour the pitcher ingredients into a giant bowl. Consider adding dry ice beneath the bowl (in a cold-safe bowl) to create a spooky effect without adding it to the punch. You should not consume anything that has dry ice in it because that is a safety risk. (Also, if you do this, please use proper precautions: use tongs or specialty gloves to handle the dry ice. Never your bare hands.)
What are some other FUN Halloween recipes I can make for a party?
- Chocolate Mummy Cupcakes
- Black Velvet Cupcakes
- Mini Monster Cakes
- Bloody Good Pancakes
- Glow in the Dark Jello Shots
Search #TheHalloweenProject on social media to find even more treats from the past few years!
More Halloween drinks:
Looking for more Halloween drinks for kids? Check out Fizzy Potion Halloween Punch, another reader favorite, or Apple Cider Punch with Sambucus, which feels festive without the spook vibes.
Want to serve a cocktail for the adults in the room? You can’t go wrong mixing up a Witches Brew Drink or a Dracula’s Kiss Cocktail.
Just want to make this Halloween mocktail recipe for kids (and adults!) at your house this All Hallows Eve?
Here you go…
Melting Monster Halloween Punch
EQUIPMENT
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Mini Candy Eyeballs (24 Count)
Ingredients
- 4 oz. lemonade
- 4 oz. lemon-lime soda
- 1 small scoop lime sherbet
- Candy eyeball sprinkles for garnish
Want to save this?
We’ll email a link directly to you so you can come back to it later! Plus, you’ll receive new recipes delivered to your inbox each week.
Instructions
- Pour 4 oz. lemonade and 2 oz. lemon-lime soda into a glass.
- Add 1 small scoop lime sherbet into the glass.
- Decorate the sherbet with Candy eyeball sprinkles. The eyeballs will move as the sherbet does, and some might slip into the drink. It’s hard to keep them steady, so you have to place them intentionally.
- When the monster sherbet has been decorated, pour in the remaining 2 oz. lemon-lime soda
- Enjoy immediately as the sherbet melts into the punch!
Notes
- 32 oz. lemonade
- 32 oz. lemon-lime soda
- 8-10 scoops sherbet
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is the recipe developer, food photographer and founder of The Speckled Palate, where she shares recipes, many Southern and Louisiana-inspired, and easy, low-key entertaining ideas since 2011. Whether you’re searching for a weeknight dinner or a party menu, Erin’s recipes are made for sharing with the people you love. Learn more about Erin and learn more about TSP.
That is clever!
You remind me that we did something similar when I was a kid – orange sherbet in ginger ale, so far as I remember – supposed to be a witch’s vat, I think. (All that bubbling and fizzing!) But the candy eyes bring it up a whole other level! I love it!
oh my gosh, such a perfect Halloween drink! I love the little candy eyes too
Thank you, thank you! We just adored these, and I love that they’re both adult- and kid-friendly!
Girrrrrrllllll. I love this! Every year we throw a costume party and it’s basically my favorite thing ever. I’m always looking for fun drinks I can make A LOT of and this is IT! Definitely trying with marshmallow vodka.
I love fun drinks like this that the whole family can enjoy!
Super, super cute! My kids will love this!
This is super cute! And important for me, quite doable!
This is such a fun idea for a party punch! 🙂 Love it.
These are the cutest! Loving this fun party punch!
What a riot! I love how funny and creative this is!
I love drinks that are perfect for kids and adults! This one looks great!
This is so fun! Kids are going to love it!
I want to make the Melting Monster Punch, but I can’t find lime sherbet at any store near me! Are they any substitutes I can use? Thanks!
Hey Stacy! I hate that you can’t find lime sherbet. If you want to use another flavor of sherbet like orange or raspberry, I think those would be a good swap here. The monster’s color will be different, and the overall flavor will shift, but it should still be delicious. Let me know how it turns out if you decide to make it with one of these!