4 Easy to Make Punch Recipes for the Holiday

The perfect host welcomes her guests with a drink as soon as they remove their coat. Anytime you cater to a large group the easiest solution is to prepare a batch of a signature drink.

Serving a punch is ideal. Punch is making a come back with delicious new tastes. Simply put a family member in charge of filling the glasses while you are greeting the guests at the door.

I featured three festive punch recipes. My favorite is the Sparkling Punch from the SAQ, Quebec’s liquor board stores. I am sorry for not showing a picture of this orange concoction. I am stuck in a snowstorm and I forgot my USB cable to transfer pictures from my camera.

Sparkling Punch

Source: Tchin Tchin Winter 2008-2009

Ingredients:

• 4 oz (125 ml) brandy
• 4 oz (125 ml) orange liqueur, use Cointreau or Grand Marnier
• 8 cups (2 l) pineapple juice
• 2 oz (60 ml) cranberry syrup
• A bottle (750 ml) of sparkling wine

I recommend a Californian sparkling wine made by a French Champagne house. You get the same taste than Champagne at a  fraction of the price. The Roederer Brut Anderson Valley is sublime.

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl filled with ice cubes, combine Clementine wedges, sliced or diced pineapples and cranberries. There should be plenty of fruits, imagine a sangria.
2. Combine all the ingredients
3. Serve in champagne flutes garnished with fruits

Christmas Punch Recipe

Source: Espace Cocktail – Make: 12 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 oz (180 ml) cognac or brandy
• 3 oz (90 ml) citrus liqueur
• 3 oz (90 ml) white rum
• 8 oz (250 ml) pineapple juice
• 8 oz (250 ml) grapefruit juice
• 17 oz (500 ml) orange juice
• 1 2/3 tablespoons (50 ml) sugar
• 1 bottle (750 ml) of sparkling wine
• Pineapple slices

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients except the sparkling wine in a punch bowl
2. Refrigerate for 2 hours
3. Add ice cubes and the chilled sparkling wine immediately before serving
4. Serve in an old-fashioned glass and garnish with a pineapple slice

Roska Punch

Source: Espace Cocktail – Make: 12 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (750 ml) rosé wine
• 3 oz (90 ml) vodka
• 1 oz (30 ml) citrus liqueur
• 8 oz (250 ml) cranberry juice
• 8 oz (250 ml) lemon soda
• 8 oz (250 ml) fresh cranberries
• 8 oz (250 ml) honeydew, diced or in balls
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients in a large punch bowl.
2. Serve in old-fashioned glasses containing a few ice cubes and some fruits.

Modern Cocktail

Source: Espace Cocktail – Make: 12 servings

If you are into litchi, ginger ale and rum, prepare the Modern Cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 15 oz (450 ml) white rum
• 10 oz (300 ml) litchi liqueur
• 10 oz (300 ml) peach liqueur
• 12 oz (360 ml) orange juice
• 24 oz (720 ml) white cranberry juice
• 24 oz (720 ml) ginger ale
• 2 1/2 oz (75 ml) lemon juice
• 1 lemon cut into slices
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl with a deep bed of the ice cubes.
2. Serve in an old-fashioned glass with a few ice cubes and garnish with a slice of lemon.

Savor and drink responsibly!