Ingredients
- 3 oz OP Rum
- 3 oz Peach Liqueur
- 16 oz Cranberry Juice
- 16 oz Energy Soda
- 2 oz Ginger Ale
Instructions
Mix Ingredients:
- Add 3 oz OP rum, 3 oz peach liqueur, 16 oz cranberry juice, and 16 oz energy soda to a pitcher.
Add Ice and Shake:
- Add a generous amount of ice, cover the pitcher, and shake well to combine.
Add Ginger Ale:
- Pour in 2 oz ginger ale and stir gently.
Chill and Serve:
- Chill the mixture and serve over ice in plastic beer cups.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
No one's quite sure who mixed up the first Afternoon Delight, but it smells like a college party from the 90s or early 2000s. It's the kind of spontaneous creation that happens when you've got a few bottles open and a big group to please, not something you'll find in a dusty cocktail tome.
This isn't a delicate sipper; it's a party punch, pure and simple. Think of it as a boozier, more energetic cousin to a basic rum punch, designed for volume and ease. It's about getting the job done without a lot of fuss or fancy ingredients.
You're not ordering this at a swanky lounge. This drink belongs at a backyard BBQ, a beach party, or any gathering where plastic cups are the official glassware. It's for when the vibe is casual, loud, and you need something everyone can grab and go.
What it tastes like
First sip, you're hit with a sweet wave of cranberry and peach, masking the real power underneath. The overproof rum brings a serious warmth, while the energy soda adds a distinct, almost candy-like buzz that keeps the whole thing from being too cloying. Ginger ale lightens the finish, keeping it from being a total sugar bomb.
With three ounces of overproof rum and three ounces of peach liqueur in a 40-ounce pitcher, you're looking at something around 7% ABV. That's a bit stronger than your average light beer, so treat it with a little respect. It's easy to forget what you're drinking when it tastes this good and goes down this fast.
The technique
Building this one is about volume. Get a big pitcher, dump in the rum, peach liqueur, cranberry, and energy soda. Add a pile of ice, cap it, and give it a real workout. You want everything cold and combined. Finish with the ginger ale, a quick stir, then chill it down before serving over fresh ice in whatever plastic cups you've got.
The critical step here is that initial hard shake with plenty of ice. You're not just mixing; you're chilling everything down fast. Don't skimp on the ice in the pitcher, and make sure it's properly shaken. A lukewarm batch of this is a sad affair.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
OP Rum
- Use
- Wray & Nephew White Overproof, Bacardi 151 (if you can find it), Cruzan 151. Anything 75% ABV or higher.
- Skip
- Standard white rum, spiced rum. They won't give you the same kick or flavor profile.
- Why
- This is where the "delight" part of the Afternoon Delight gets its punch. It cuts through the sweetness and provides a serious alcoholic backbone that regular rum just can't match.
Peach Liqueur
- Use
- Bols Peach, DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps. Something sweet and distinctly peach-flavored.
- Skip
- Peach brandy (too dry, different flavor profile), peach syrup (no alcohol, changes the balance).
- Why
- Provides the primary fruit sweetness and a crucial layer of flavor that defines the drink. Don't try to substitute with fresh peaches, it's not the same.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Tropical Delight
- Add some pineapple for a different vibe.
- Swap half the cranberry juice for pineapple juice to lean into a more tropical, slightly tarter profile.
Berry Boost
- Get some berry action going.
- Muddle a handful of mixed berries in the pitcher before shaking, or use a berry-flavored energy soda for an extra fruit hit.
Citrus Charge
- A little zest to cut the sweet.
- Add 2 oz of fresh lime juice to the pitcher before shaking to introduce a tart, bright counterpoint to all the sweetness.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a high-proof white rum (like a 40% ABV unaged rum) and add an extra ounce or two, but know it won't be the same kind of party.
Apricot liqueur can work in a pinch, or even a good quality peach syrup if you're willing to sacrifice some ABV.
Use a lemon-lime soda for the fizz and sweetness, but you'll lose the characteristic energy drink flavor and kick.
Any large, sturdy cup will do. Mason jars or even sturdy solo cups are fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Afternoon Delight?
An Afternoon Delight contains overproof rum, peach liqueur, cranberry juice, energy soda, and ginger ale.
Is Afternoon Delight a strong drink?
Yes, with overproof rum, it packs a significant punch. It's stronger than a typical beer.
Can I make Afternoon Delight ahead of time?
You can mix the rum, peach liqueur, and juices ahead, but add the energy soda and ginger ale just before serving to keep the fizz.
What kind of energy soda should I use?
A standard Red Bull or Monster works well, but any similar-flavored energy drink will do the trick.
Why use plastic beer cups?
This is a party drink meant for a crowd, often outdoors. Plastic cups are practical, safe, and fit the casual vibe.
Can I make a single serving of Afternoon Delight?
Absolutely. Just scale down the ingredients: 0.75 oz OP rum, 0.75 oz peach liqueur, 4 oz cranberry juice, 4 oz energy soda, 0.5 oz ginger ale.
What's the best way to chill this drink?
After shaking, stick the whole pitcher in the fridge for at least an hour. Serving it ice-cold makes a huge difference.
Is this drink sweet?
Yes, it's definitely on the sweeter side, with the peach liqueur and cranberry juice contributing heavily to the sweetness.
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