Cute Bunny Punch

I came across this super cute strawberry punch idea during a frantic Easter prep last year. I needed something fun for the kids before we hunted eggs. The mix of smooth ice cream, tangy lemonade and bubbly soda makes this gorgeous pink drink that feels like springtime in a cup. The kids went wild when they saw those little marshmallow bunnies sitting on their glasses – totally worth the sugar rush that followed!

My sister brought her twins to our family Easter bash last year. Those two hardly eat anything new, but when they saw these drinks with tiny bunnies on the edge, they couldn't stop smiling. My little nephew even grabbed my phone to snap pictures so he could "show all his friends at school." It's funny how something so quick can make such a big splash, especially when it looks this cute.

Key Components

• Strawberry ice cream: Go for the kind with real strawberry pieces for best results. As it slowly melts, you get these amazing swirly bits that make each drink a bit different.
• Strawberry lemonade: This gives you that perfect sweet-sour mix that balances out the rich ice cream. You can use pink lemonade too, but strawberry adds an extra berry kick.
• Lemon-lime soda: This brings the all-important bubbles that make this drink special. The citrus taste works great with the lemonade while adding that fun fizzy feeling.
• Bunny Peeps: We all buy these cute sugar-coated marshmallow creatures but never know what to do with them. Here, they turn into adorable drink decorations that make everyone grin.
• Mini marshmallows: These tiny guys bob around and soak up all the flavors, turning into little strawberry-flavored treats by the time you reach the bottom.
• Sprinkles: Grab some light spring colors to match your Easter theme. They add a festive look and a tiny bit of crunch in each sip.

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Quick Preparation

Pick your cups:

Go for see-through glasses that show off all the pretty colors. Mason jars work great, so do sundae cups or even clear plastic cups – just make sure they're big enough to fit everything.

Start with ice cream:

Drop a couple big scoops of strawberry ice cream into each glass. Don't skimp here – those melty bits make this drink extra good. Two big scoops hits the sweet spot.

Pour the first liquid:

Slowly add strawberry lemonade down the side of each glass. This keeps it from splashing too much. Fill about two-thirds of the way up, leaving room for soda.

Top with bubbles:

Gently pour lemon-lime soda along the edge of the glass to keep it fizzy. The soda will react with the ice cream, creating fluffy pink foam on top.

Make it pretty:

Stick a Bunny Peep on the rim of each glass. Toss some mini marshmallows on top to float around. Finish with a handful of pastel sprinkles right when you serve them.

Don't wait:

Hand these out right away while everything's still fizzy and the ice cream makes those cool swirls. Give everyone a spoon and straw to enjoy it properly.

The first time I whipped these up, I used plain lemonade instead of strawberry. It tasted fine but didn't have that awesome pink color that screams Easter. Another time, I tried making one big bowl for our neighborhood kids, but it wasn't nearly as good. The magic happens in single glasses where everything stays separate longer. I've learned to add the soda last minute for maximum bubbles – nobody wants a flat Easter drink!

Display Ideas

Set out these fun drinks on a tray with fake Easter grass and scattered jelly beans for a real wow factor. The bright green grass looks amazing next to the pink drinks. For a fancy brunch, put a glass at each place before folks arrive, with matching light-colored napkins and maybe a chocolate egg on the side. They work great as a welcome drink when family shows up for Easter – way more exciting than coffee or water. If you're having an evening get-together, try clear plastic cups with glow sticks underneath for a cool effect that both kids and adults will talk about.

Fun Twists

Switch up the ice cream flavors if you want – vanilla with a tiny drop of pink food coloring gives a lighter taste, or try chocolate for something totally different that tastes like chocolate-covered strawberries in drink form. You can swap in berry or raspberry lemonade if you can't find strawberry. Each one brings its own unique taste to the mix. For extra fruit flavor, throw in some sliced strawberries or whole raspberries that soak up the punch as they sit. Grown-ups might enjoy a splash of strawberry vodka or some bubbly instead of soda once the kids are busy checking out their Easter baskets.

Freshness Matters

These drinks taste best right after you make them, when everything's the right temperature and texture. If you must get a head start, keep the ice cream separate and add it at the last second so it doesn't melt too early. Make sure your strawberry lemonade sits in the fridge for at least 4 hours before using it so it's nice and cold against the ice cream. You can recap open soda and keep it in the fridge, but try to use it within a day before it goes flat. Keep your Peeps and marshmallows in closed packages until you need them so they don't get stale or sticky if your kitchen's humid.

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I've brought this Easter punch to family parties, neighborhood egg hunts, and even a spring baby shower (where we added champagne for the moms). There's just something magical about that mix of creamy strawberry, zingy lemonade, and fizzy soda, especially when topped with those classic Easter bunnies. My buddy's little girl now begs for her "bunny drink" all year long, which I count as a total success. It's these small touches that turn basic get-togethers into standout memories – and when it takes five minutes but looks like you slaved away for hours, that's a total win!

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I prep this drink in advance?

To keep the fizz and creaminess intact, make it just before drinking. You can, however, prepare the ingredients so guests can build their own!

→ What can I swap for strawberry ice cream?

Vanilla or raspberry ice cream works great, or even switch to sorbet or frozen yogurt for a lighter twist.

→ How do I make it dairy-free?

Use dairy-free ice cream or sorbet. Double-check your Peeps and toppings to make sure they're free of dairy too. The soda and lemonade are already fine!

→ What other decorations can I add?

Add rock candy, jellybeans around the rim, bright drink stirrers, or balance a chocolate bunny on the glass for extra flair.

→ Can I serve this to a large group?

Yes! Make a big batch in a punch bowl. Combine a few quarts of lemonade, soda, and big scoops of ice cream right before the party.

→ What's an adult-friendly version?

Add a splash of champagne, strawberry vodka, or pink gin instead of some soda, and keep the toppings for a fun grown-up drink!