The original trash can drinks came into being at college parties. Everyone brought whatever liquor they had lying around and added it to a large container, such as a plastic bin or small garbage can. The host then added mixers and ice and the resulting drink was very strong and sometimes tasty, but sometimes not. It was hard to gauge how much alcohol was in each drink. More modern trash can drinks can be counted on to be reliably palatable, but they should still be consumed with caution.
1. Irish Trash Can
This drink gets its name from its bright green color, even though it is not actually an Irish drink. This recipe is for one serving.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Fill a large highball glass with ice.
- Pour in all the alcohol ingredients and stir.
- Open the Red Bull and place the open end in the glass leaning the can against the inner rim.
- Let the can sit in the drink dispensing additional Red Bull as you sip with a straw.
2. Punch or "Jungle Juice"
Punch drinks are some of the earliest types of cocktails. In the 17th century, sailors added spices and citrus to alcohol to preserve the fruit and spices, and they drank these aboard their ships. Today's punch is a little different, and boozy punches in particular are popular for parties or college gatherings because it's an easy way to dump a bunch of alcoholic ingredients and mixers into a communal bowl. This drink got its name because it is tropical in flavor and incites "animal behavior" in some. While Everclear is a popular choice for Jungle Juice, do not use it because it is not intended for consumption in mixed drinks; it's meant to be used to create liqueurs with a lower proof. This recipe serves eight to 10.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon fruit punch or prepared cherry Kool-Aid
- 8 ounces pineapple juice
- 8 ounces vodka
- 8 ounces light rum
- 8 ounces gin
- Pineapple for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large punch bowl or similar container with ice.
- Pour in all of the ingredients and stir.
- Garnish with fruit if desired.
3. Lemonade Punch
Some people prefer tangy over sweet. This recipe is great for parties in the summer. Again, it serves eight to 10.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon prepared lemonade
- 8 ounces Malibu rum
- 8 ounces vodka
- 8 ounces light rum
- 1 liter ginger ale
- Sliced lemons for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large punch bowl or similar container with ice.
- Pour in all of the ingredients and stir.
- Garnish with sliced lemons.
4. Adult Apple Juice
This is kind of like Apple Jacks cereal in that it doesn't really taste like apples, but that is why people like it. This recipe serves seven people.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon apple juice or cider
- 8 ounces apple schnapps
- 8 ounces coconut rum
- 8 ounces light rum
- 8 ounces vodka
- 1 gallon pineapple juice
- Sliced apples for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large punch bowl or similar container with ice.
- Pour in all of the ingredients and stir.
- Garnish with sliced apples.
5. Orange Trash
This is a very potent orange drink and is not recommended for breakfast. This recipe serves six.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces vodka
- 16 ounces light rum
- 1 gallon orange juice
- 1/2 gallon fruit punch
- 1/2 gallon pink lemonade
- 1/2 gallon pineapple orange juice
- Diced oranges for garnish
- Pineapple chunks for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large punch bowl or similar container with ice.
- Pour in all of the ingredients and stir.
- Garnish with diced oranges and pineapple chunks.
Mixing Trash Can Drinks
Making trash can drinks is a convenient way to serve a large crowd. Consider the following when making a trash can punch.
- Opt for some balance. Strive for a ratio of about 2:1 or 4:1 of juices and soda to booze.
- No need to add sugar, since the juice will have plenty of sugar.
- In general, clear spirits have the best taste in punches.
- Adding chopped fruit makes the punch more attractive, and it adds flavor, as well.
Drink Variations
All of these recipes can serve more people simply by adding a proportional amount of each ingredient. Lemon-lime soda or seltzer water can be used instead of alcohol to create virgin versions as well. Trash can drinks are all about experimentation. Mix and match until you find the perfect recipe for your group of friends. Or, if you want a shareable drink with a set recipe, try a fishbowl cocktail.
