Guest Author - Deborah Adams
I don't know about you but it seems like a table at the holidays is more festive if you include a delicious punch with garnishments on the table. A great punch is as individual as you are as you experiment with flavors and make your own special combination. I've included some great recipes to try if you want to but always leave room for tweaking. Make them your own special blend. Some of these recipes do not include sugar so would be great for big crowds and any party!
Pineapple/Lemonade Punch
6 c. sugar
1/4 c. boiling water
6 tsp. almond extract
8 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large (46 oz.) cans pineapple juice
1 (12 oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 (12 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate
Combine and blend well. Pour over ice and garnish with lemon or orange slices and serve.
Frozen Fruit Punch
Juice of 2 dozen lemons
1 oz. almond extract
2 lg. cans (or bottles) apple juice
2 lg. cans (or bottles) pineapple juice
2 gallons water.
Combine and blend well. Freeze to icy slush. Pour over ice and garnish with fruit slices and serve.
Fruit/Kool-Aid Punch
1 (46 oz.) can pineapple juice
2 (6 oz.) can's lemonade concentrate
2 quarts water
3 c. sugar
2 Tbsps. almond extract
2 Tbsps. vanilla extract
1 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid (your favorite color/flavor)
1 quart ginger ale
Combine and blend well. NOTE: Can freeze to icy slush but don't add ginger ale until serving time. Pour over ice and garnish with fruit slices and serve.
Sugar-Free Party Punch
2 (16 oz.) bottles diet ginger ale
1 (16 oz.) bottle citrus diet soda (I use Fresca)
1 c. lemon juice
6 - 8 whole cloves
1 quart orange juice
1 c. pineapple juice
Ice
Nutra sweet or other sweetener to taste if desired
Chill all ingredients until very cold. Just before serving combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl with crushed ice. makes 10 cups.
Low-Sugar Spring Cooler Punch
1 1/2 c. water
4 (3") sticks cinnamon
6 whole cloves
1 tsp. sweet & low sweetener
1 (46 oz.) pineapple juice, chilled (unsweetened)
2 c. orange juice, chilled (unsweetened)
1 c. lemon juice
1 (2 liter) diet 7-Up
orange wedges
Combine first 3 ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. Cool. Add sweet & low and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Strain to discard spices. Combine fruit juice with mixture and stir well. To serve: Combine fruit juice mixture with 7-Up; stir well. Serve over crushed ice. Place orange wedges in each glass. Yield 3 1/2 quarts. Great for company!
