Looking to spice up your next party? Trash can drinks are a fun way to mix things up. These colorful cocktails are known for their bold flavors and eye-catching presentation.
Trash can drinks often combine multiple types of alcohol with fruit juices and energy drinks. While they pack a punch, they’re meant to be sipped and shared with friends. Let’s explore some tasty trash can drink recipes you can try at your next gathering.
1. Jungle Juice
Jungle Juice is a popular party drink that packs a punch. You can make it by mixing various types of alcohol with fruit juices and sodas.
The recipe is flexible, allowing you to use what you have on hand. Common ingredients include vodka, rum, and fruit punch.
To make Jungle Juice, combine your chosen alcohols in a large container. Add fruit juices like orange, pineapple, or cranberry. Mix in some lemon-lime soda for fizz.
For extra flavor, toss in sliced fruits like oranges, lemons, and berries. Stir well and serve over ice. Remember to drink responsibly, as Jungle Juice can be quite strong.
2. Swamp Water
Swamp Water is a fun and vibrant cocktail that looks murky but tastes delicious. To make it, you’ll need tequila, sour apple pucker, melon liqueur, sweet and sour mix, and lemon-lime soda.
Fill a glass with ice and pour in the tequila, apple pucker, and melon liqueur. Add sweet and sour mix and lemon-lime soda, then stir well.
For the signature swamp look, add a splash of blue curaçao. This creates a greenish-brown color that gives the drink its name.
You can garnish with a lime wedge or wheel if you like. Swamp Water is perfect for Halloween parties or anytime you want a unique, tasty drink.
3. Raspberry Lemonade Punch
Raspberry Lemonade Punch is a refreshing and easy-to-make drink perfect for summer gatherings. You’ll need frozen raspberries, lemonade concentrate, and club soda or ginger ale.
Start by thawing the frozen raspberries. Mix them with the lemonade concentrate in a large punch bowl or pitcher. Just before serving, add the chilled club soda or ginger ale.
For extra flair, float lemon slices and fresh raspberries on top. The frozen raspberries help keep the punch cool, but you can add ice if needed.
This punch is versatile. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar. For an adult version, consider adding a splash of Prosecco or vodka.
4. Island Breeze Mix
The Island Breeze Mix is a refreshing trash can drink that brings tropical vibes to your party. You’ll need vodka, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice as the main ingredients.
Fill a large container with ice. Pour in equal parts vodka and pineapple juice. Add a splash of cranberry juice for color and a hint of tartness.
Stir the mixture well to combine all the flavors. Serve in tall glasses filled with ice. For extra flair, garnish each glass with a pineapple slice or cherry.
This easy-to-make drink is perfect for beach-themed gatherings or summer barbecues. Its fruity taste and vibrant color will transport you to a sunny island paradise.
5. Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a bright, refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for summer parties. To make it, you’ll need vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade.
Fill a glass with ice. Pour in 1 ounce of vodka and 1 ounce of blue curaçao. Top it off with 4 ounces of lemonade. Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
For extra fizz, add a splash of soda water. Garnish with a lemon or lime slice. The drink’s eye-catching blue color comes from the blue curaçao.
You can adjust the sweetness by using more or less lemonade. Enjoy your Blue Lagoon responsibly!
6. Tropical Tornado
The Tropical Tornado is a refreshing trash can drink that brings island vibes to your party. You’ll need rum, coconut rum, pineapple juice, and orange juice for this recipe.
Mix equal parts of both rums in a large pitcher. Add twice as much pineapple juice and a splash of orange juice. Stir well and pour over ice in individual glasses.
For added flair, garnish with pineapple wedges or maraschino cherries. This drink is perfect for summer gatherings or when you want to feel like you’re on a tropical vacation.
7. Pineapple Crush
This tropical cocktail is perfect for summer parties. To make a Pineapple Crush, you’ll need white rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut.
Start by muddling fresh pineapple chunks in a shaker. Add ice, rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. Shake well for about 20 seconds.
Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. For extra flair, top it off with a splash of sparkling water.
Garnish your Pineapple Crush with a pineapple wedge or a tropical flower. You can also add a sprig of mint or rosemary for a fresh twist.
8. Caribbean Splash
This tropical twist on the trash can drink brings island vibes to your glass. Mix rum, coconut rum, pineapple juice, and blue curaçao in a tall glass filled with ice.
Top it off with a splash of lemon-lime soda for some fizz. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry for extra flair.
The Caribbean Splash looks like a clear blue ocean and tastes like a beachy getaway. It’s perfect for sipping poolside or at your next luau-themed party.
9. Fruity Fiesta
This trash can drink bursts with tropical flavors. Mix pineapple juice, orange juice, and coconut rum in a large container. Add a splash of grenadine for a sunset effect.
Toss in some diced fresh fruits like mango, strawberries, and kiwi. Pour in lemon-lime soda for fizz. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
Serve in tall glasses filled with ice. Garnish with pineapple wedges and maraschino cherries. This fruity punch is perfect for summer parties and backyard gatherings.
10. Beach Party Brew
This refreshing drink brings the beach vibes to any party. Mix vodka, coconut rum, blue curacao, and pineapple juice in a large pitcher or cooler.
Add ice and sliced citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges. For an extra tropical touch, include some maraschino cherries.
Stir well and serve in plastic cups. The blue color resembles ocean waves. Garnish each drink with a mini paper umbrella or pineapple wedge for a fun presentation.
This crowd-pleasing cocktail is perfect for summer gatherings. The fruity flavors and bright hue capture the essence of a beach day. Your guests will love sipping on this cool concoction.
11. Hawaiian Punch
Hawaiian Punch gives trash can drinks a tropical twist. You’ll need vodka, Everclear or high-proof rum, and Hawaiian Punch fruit drink. Mix these in a large container or cleaned trash can.
Add fresh fruit like oranges, grapes, apples, and strawberries for extra flavor. Watermelon chunks work well too. Stir everything together with a big spoon or ladle.
Chill the drink with lots of ice. Set out cups and straws for easy serving. This big-batch cocktail is great for parties and outdoor events.
12. Sunset Sipper
The Sunset Sipper is a refreshing cocktail that captures the colors of a summer evening. To make it, you’ll need dark rum, lemon juice, and grenadine syrup.
Fill a shaker with ice and add 2 ounces of dark rum and 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice. Shake well to combine and chill the mixture.
Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice. Slowly pour 1/2 teaspoon of grenadine down the side of the glass to create a sunset effect.
For extra flair, garnish your Sunset Sipper with a pineapple chunk or maraschino cherry. This tropical drink is perfect for sipping as you watch the sun go down.
13. Berry Bomb
The Berry Bomb is a tasty and simple cocktail you can make at home. You’ll need raspberry vodka and a clear mixer like Sprite Remix or ginger ale.
Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour 2 ounces of raspberry vodka over the ice. Add 12 ounces of your chilled mixer.
Stir gently to blend the flavors. You can garnish with fresh berries if you like.
This drink is perfect for summer parties. It’s easy to make and looks great. The fruity taste makes it popular with many people.
14. Mango Madness
Mango Madness is a fruity and refreshing trash can drink that brings tropical flavors to your party. You’ll need mango nectar, sparkling water, and fresh mango chunks to create this delightful mocktail.
Start by peeling and dicing a ripe mango. Fill a large pitcher or punch bowl with ice. Pour in the mango nectar and add the sparkling water for some fizz.
Toss in the fresh mango chunks and stir gently. For extra flavor, you can add a splash of orange or lime juice. This drink is perfect for hot summer days or when you want a taste of the tropics.
15. Citrus Twist
This zesty drink brings a burst of citrus flavor to your party. You’ll need vodka, lemon-lime soda, and a mix of fresh citrus juices.
Start by filling a glass with ice. Pour in 2 ounces of vodka. Add equal parts orange, lemon, and lime juice – about 1 ounce each.
Top it off with lemon-lime soda. Give it a quick stir to blend the flavors. Garnish with a slice of lemon, lime, or orange for extra flair.
This refreshing cocktail is perfect for hot summer days. The citrus juices provide a tangy kick that balances the vodka nicely.
History and Origins
Trash can drinks have a colorful past rooted in college party culture. These communal concoctions evolved from simple mixtures into elaborate party centerpieces over the decades.
The Concept of Trash Can Drinks
Trash can drinks got their start in the early 1900s. People mixed leftover beer with other alcohols to create big batches of punch. This thrifty practice grew popular during Prohibition when alcohol was scarce.
By the 1950s, the concept took off on college campuses. Students used actual trash cans to mix huge amounts of booze for parties. The name “trash can drink” stuck.
Early versions often contained whatever alcohol was on hand. Beer, liquor, and fruit juice were common ingredients. The goal was to make a lot of cheap, strong punch fast.
Cultural Impact
Trash can drinks became symbols of wild college parties. They featured in movies and TV shows about campus life. The drinks gained a reputation for being potent and unpredictable.
Some schools tried to ban trash can drinks due to safety concerns. This only added to their rebellious appeal for students. The drinks became a rite of passage at many universities.
Today, trash can drinks remain popular at large gatherings. Bars and clubs offer classier versions with better ingredients. The concept has spread beyond college to other social events.
Ingredients and Preparation
Trash can drinks combine several liquors and mixers for a potent cocktail. They often use unique presentation with an energy drink can. Here’s what you need to know about the ingredients and how to make these drinks.
Common Ingredients
Trash can drinks use a mix of spirits and mixers. Most recipes call for vodka, gin, rum, and tequila. Blue curaçao gives the drink its signature blue color. Triple sec or peach schnapps add sweetness. Energy drinks like Red Bull are a key component. Some recipes use lemon-lime soda or sour mix for extra flavor.
You’ll also need ice and tall glasses. Pick glasses that can fit an inverted energy drink can. Have a cocktail shaker ready to mix ingredients.
Preparation Techniques
To make a trash can drink, start by filling a tall glass with ice. Pour in 1 oz each of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and blue curaçao. Add 1 oz triple sec or peach schnapps.
Stir the liquors together gently. Top with lemon-lime soda or sour mix if using. Open an energy drink can and quickly flip it upside down into the glass. The can will slowly empty as you drink.
For a twist, try coconut water instead of soda. Add a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick. Always drink responsibly and know your limits with these strong cocktails.
Tips for Serving and Presentation
Serving trash can drinks with flair can take your party to the next level. Eye-catching presentation and fun garnishes will make these drinks even more memorable for your guests.
Serving Suggestions
Use clear glasses to show off the colorful layers of your trash can drinks. Pick tall, wide glasses that can fit a full can of energy drink. Chill the glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before serving to keep drinks cold longer.
Add ice cubes last to avoid diluting the drink too quickly. Place straws in each glass so guests can mix the layers if they want. Set up a self-serve station with pre-mixed alcohol and juices in pitchers. Let guests add their own energy drink cans for a fun interactive element.
Consider offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions to include all your guests. Label each drink clearly, especially if you’re serving multiple trash can drink recipes.
Garnishing Ideas
Rim glasses with colored sugar that matches the drink for a festive touch. Thread fruit slices like lemon, lime, or orange onto skewers to place across the top of glasses.
Float edible flowers like pansies or nasturtiums on the surface for an elegant look. Add glow sticks to glasses for a fun nighttime effect. Freeze fruit pieces in ice cubes for a pretty and flavorful addition.
Use fun, themed cocktail picks to spear fruit garnishes. Try mini umbrellas, palm trees, or flamingos for a tropical vibe. Attach candy necklaces around glass rims for a playful, sweet twist.