Name: Ninja SLUSHi Grinch Punch Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American Recipes
Ingredients: Patron Silver Tequila: 1 cup (8 ounces); Stella Rosa Watermelon Wine: 3 cups (24 ounces); Simply Limeade: 1½ cups (12 ounces); Watermelon Puree: 2 cups (16 ounces); Green Food Coloring: 4 drops, plus more as needed; Red Sanding Sugar: For the rim, optional

Jump to Recipe

My first look at the Ninja SLUSHi was at a family party. The machine was hard to miss. A bartender stood behind the drinks table and poured frozen Grinch Punch into glass after glass.

Every cup looked the same. It was bright green, icy cold, and nicely slushy. There were no lumpy scoops or watery layers at the bottom. The first pour looked just like the last one.

The fruity flavor paired nicely with the cold, smooth texture from the machine. The fruity flavor matched the cold, smooth texture from the machine.

That party gave me the idea to make my own version. This ninja slushi grinch punch recipe uses a simple mix for a smooth, pourable slush with a bright green holiday look.

What Is Grinch Punch, and Why Is It a Holiday Favorite

Grinch punch is a bright, fruity party drink named after the green character from the Dr. Seuss story. Most versions mix citrus juice, soda or wine, and a fruity flavor.

People love it because it looks playful and tastes like a cold holiday treat. It is easy to mix in big batches, so it shows up at Christmas parties, school events, and movie nights every December.

What Makes This Grinch Punch Perfect for the Ninja SLUSHi

The mix has fruit, limeade, wine, and tequila, so the Ninja SLUSHi can freeze the liquid without added ice. The balance also keeps the drink fruity and smooth.

1. Even Freezing – The Ninja SLUSHi keeps the mixture moving while it freezes, helping create a smooth slush instead of large ice pieces.

2. Fruit-Based Mix – The watermelon wine, puree, and limeade give the slush enough flavor and sweetness for a smooth frozen drink.

3. Right Alcohol Balance – I use 8 ounces of tequila in this 60-ounce batch. Ninja lists 2.8% to 16% alcohol as the Spiked Slush range. Keeping the tequila amount measured helps the mixture freeze properly.

4. Cold and Pourable – The goal is a soft slush that comes through the dispenser with ease. Starting with cold ingredients helps the machine reach the frozen texture faster. Ninja also advises chilling liquids before starting a batch.

Ninja SLUSHi Grinch Punch Ingredients & Substitutions

Patron Silver Tequila (1 cup, 8 ounces) – Patron Silver gives the punch a clean, smooth agave base without a harsh bite. Use 1 cup, which keeps the slush thick and not too strong. Another silver tequila works well here. Pick a smooth bottle you like to sip.

Stella Rosa Watermelon Wine (3 cups, one 750 ml bottle) – This lightly sweet, semi-sparkling wine adds juicy watermelon flavor and a little sugar that helps the slush freeze softly. Pour in 3 cups, about one bottle. Another sweet fruit wine, like Stella Rosa Strawberry, can work in a pinch.

Simply Limeade (1½ cups) – Simply Limeade adds bright lime tartness that balances the sweet wine. Measure 1½ cups. Homemade limeade, made with lime juice, water, and sugar, works well too. Chill it first so the machine freezes the mix faster and more evenly.

Watermelon Puree (2 cups) – Fresh watermelon puree brings real fruit flavor and a soft pink color. Blend about 4 cups of seedless watermelon chunks to get 2 cups of puree. Thawed frozen watermelon works well, and so does store-bought watermelon juice.

Green food coloring – 4 drops, plus more as needed

Red sanding sugar or red decorating sugar – for the rim, optional

Kitchen Equipment

Ninja SLUSHi — Frozen drink maker
Liquid measuring cup — Measure liquids
Measuring spoons — Measure food coloring
Large pitcher — Mix the base
Long spoon — Stir the mixture
Serving glasses — Hold the slush
Small plate — Hold rim sugar

How to Make Grinch Punch in the Ninja SLUSHi

The steps are simple, and the Ninja SLUSHi handles the freezing and mixing for you.

Step 1 | Mix the Liquid Base

Pour 1 cup (8 ounces) of Patron Silver Tequila into a large pitcher. Add 3 cups of Stella Rosa Watermelon Wine, 1½ cups of Simply Limeade, and 2 cups of watermelon puree.

Stir the mixture well with a long spoon until the watermelon puree is evenly mixed with the wine, limeade, and tequila.

Step 2 | Add the Green Color

Add 4 drops of green food coloring to the mixture and stir well. Check the color and add another 1 or 2 drops for a brighter green shade.

The food coloring is optional, but it gives the punch the bright green color associated with Grinch Punch.

Step 3 | Pour the Mixture Into the Ninja SLUSHi

Pour the mixed punch into the Ninja SLUSHi reservoir. Keep the liquid below the MAX fill line.

This recipe makes about 60 ounces, so check your machine’s fill limit before adding the full batch. A smaller-capacity model may require you to run the recipe in two batches.

Step 4 | Select Spiked Slush

Turn on the Ninja SLUSHi and select the Spiked Slush setting. This setting is designed for drinks containing alcohol.

Let the machine run until the mixture reaches a thick, smooth slush texture. The exact time can vary based on the starting temperature, room temperature, batch size, and machine model.

Step 5 | Dispense and Serve the Grinch Punch

Place a clean glass under the dispenser. Pull the handle and let the frozen punch flow into the glass.

For a Christmas look, add a red sugar rim before filling the glass. A small lime wedge or watermelon piece can also be used as a garnish. Serve the Grinch Punch while the slush is thick and cold.

My Tips for Perfect Grinch Punch

Chill Everything First – Keep the tequila, wine, limeade, and puree in the fridge before mixing. This gives the machine a cold starting point.
Frost the Glasses – Place the serving glasses in the freezer for about 15 minutes before serving. A cold glass helps the slush stay thick around the edges. It also keeps each serving colder as you pour and serve the punch.
Watch the Fill Line – Always check the MAX fill line before starting the machine. Frozen drinks can expand as they freeze. Keeping the mixture below the marked line gives the machine enough room to freeze and churn the punch properly.
Taste Before Freezing – Taste the mixed liquid before pouring it into the Ninja SLUSHi. Add a little more limeade when you want more citrus flavor.

What Snacks Pair With Grinch Punch

At one Christmas party, I liked having this frozen punch near a table filled with small snacks. The fruity drink worked well with salty foods and light sweets. I kept the food simple so the watermelon and lime flavors stayed easy to notice.

Mini Ham and Cheese Sliders – Soft rolls, salty ham, and mild cheese go well with the sweet fruit in the punch. The filling gives each sip a nice contrast without adding a strong flavor that takes over.
Chicken Tenders – Crispy chicken tenders are easy to hand out next to a frozen drink. Keep the seasoning light. A little honey mustard sauce works well with the watermelon and lime notes.
Pretzel Bites – Warm pretzel bites bring a salty bite that balances the sweet slush. A simple cheese dip is all they need. The soft dough and salty top make an easy match for a fruity frozen cocktail.

Common Questions About This Ninja SLUSHi Grinch Punch Recipe

1. Why is my punch still thin after an hour?

Too much alcohol or too little sugar can keep a mix from freezing. Measure each ingredient with care and stay close to the amounts listed. Extra tequila is the most common cause. Warm ingredients can also slow the machine down.

2. How strong is this punch?

The alcohol level depends on the tequila and watermelon wine you use. Since this is a frozen cocktail, serve responsibly and keep it for adults 21 and older.

3. Can I mix the punch ahead of time?

Yes. Mix the tequila, watermelon wine, limeade, and watermelon puree in a covered pitcher and refrigerate for up to one day. Stir well before pouring the mixture into the Ninja SLUSHi.

4. Can I freeze the punch in a regular freezer instead?

You can, but the texture will not be the same. The alcohol keeps the mixture from freezing solid, so a regular freezer will give you a harder, icier texture rather than the smooth slush made by the Ninja SLUSHi.

Yield: 8