Cleansing Tropical Purple Punch

December 02, 2025

Tropical Purple Punch

A vibrant, naturally colorful EBT-friendly drink that’s as beautiful as it is refreshing. No added sugars, just pure fruit goodness.

Total Cost of Ingredients Used: $5.00-$7.00

(Cost reflects only what’s used in the recipe, not full package prices)

Ingredients:

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1x
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Ingredients are subject to availability at local stores. Unavailable items will be automatically substituted at best-effort.

Instructions

1

Prepare the purple cabbage: Remove the outer leaves and core from the purple cabbage. Thinly slice ½ of the cabbage (about 4 cups). Place in a large pitcher or bowl.

2

Prep the fruits: Wash the grapes and remove from stems. Peel and chop the pineapple into chunks. Juice the lime (you’ll get about 2 tbsp juice).

3

Combine and muddle: Add grapes and pineapple chunks to the pitcher with the cabbage. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, gently press and muddle the fruits and cabbage to release their juices. Don’t over-mash—just enough to bruise the cabbage and break some grapes.

4

Infuse with water: Add 8 cups of cold water to the pitcher. Stir in the fresh lime juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the colors and flavors to infuse.

5

Strain and serve: Strain the punch through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean pitcher or serving jug, pressing on the solids to extract all the flavorful liquid. Discard solids (or compost). Serve over ice with extra fruit slices if desired.

A stunning, naturally purple drink that’s as fun to make as it is to drink.

This EBT-friendly punch transforms humble purple cabbage into a magical, vibrant drink. The natural anthocyanins in the cabbage create a beautiful purple hue when infused with the acidic lime juice, while grapes and pineapple add natural sweetness. It’s a healthy alternative to sugary drinks that’s perfect for parties or everyday hydration.

Budget Grocery List + Cost Breakdown

All items EBT-eligible. Prices based on Walmart/ALDI/Dollar Tree.

Fruits & Vegetables

Used in recipe: ½ purple cabbage ($0.75) + 1lb grapes ($1.50) + 1 pineapple ($2.00) + 1 lime ($0.25)

Package cost: $1.50 (whole cabbage) + $1.50 (grapes) + $2.00 + $0.50 (bag) = $5.50 total

Pantry

Used in recipe: Water ($0.00) + ice ($0.10)

Optional extras: Mint leaves, extra fruit slices for garnish

Total Used in Recipe: $4.60-$6.60

Makes about 2 quarts (8 servings) • Cost per serving: $0.58-$0.83

Note: Leftover cabbage can be used for salads or stir-fries. The punch keeps refrigerated for 3-4 days.

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