Serving a delicious and fruity punch is a traditional and fun way to compliment any social gathering you are hosting. Try the following recipe at your next party. It’s fruity, fizzy, sweet, and so yummy!
Maybe you have a beautiful punch bowl that is sitting around collecting dust or perhaps you want to impress your party guests with something tasty yet easy to make. A great punch recipe can be a wonderful addition to your list of party must haves. If it tastes fantastic, you’re guests will be impressed. A punch bowl is also an excellent place for people at your party to meet and greet one and other. Besides, who doesn’t love punch?
The “perfect punch” is a crowd pleaser. It is as eye appealing as it is delicious. It tastes light and fluffy with a delightful sweetness. The “perfect punch” has just enough fizz to tickle your tongue and a hint of tang to awaken your taste buds. Not only does it taste and look great, it is very easy to prepare.
Follow the instructions below to create your own batch of “perfect punch”.
You will need the following ingredients to create the “perfect punch”:
One Large sized punch bowl
One 2 Liter bottle of Sprite
One 1/2 gallon carton of Strawberry-Orange Juice
1/2 gallon of Rainbow or Multi Colored Sherbert
5 or 6 Large fresh Lemons or Limes (optional)
Festive Toothpicks or Drink Spears(optional)
1 small can of pineapple juice
Allow enough time before preparing the punch to store your liquids for maximum coldness. You should have all of your ingredients at least one day prior to the date you will be serving the punch. Please note that for best presentation results, this punch should be prepared just prior to serving. The total amount of time needed to prepare the “perfect punch” is between 10 – 15 minutes.
After you have acquired the necessary ingredients for your punch, place all of the liquids lemons and/or limes into the refrigerator and allow them to become completely chilled. Store the sherbert in your freezer until you are ready to use it.
*Optional instructions to create drink garnishments are as follows:
Before you begin to create your punch, you need to prepare the lemons or limes for garnishment. This step is optional but is a nice touch to consider. Get a small cutting board and a serrated knife suitable for slicing lemons or limes. As with all knives and sharp objects, be careful!
Cut both of the ends off of your lemons or limes. Turn the lemon on the cutting board so that it is standing vertically on one of the flat ends that you cut away. Cut the lemon in half directly down the center.
The next step is the most important when creating your lemon garnishes. Take each of the two halves you just cut and turn them so that the fruit side is facing upward and the peel is down.
Starting at one of the ends you removed, make a slit along the center of the fruit until you reach the other end. Make sure that you do not cut all the way through the lemon! You don’t want to cut through the peel. Make the slit deep enough so that it almost reaches the peel but does not touch it. You want the lemon half to remain intact. Repeat this with the other half.
Now, turn the halves over so that they are fruit side down and peel side up. This time you will be making your slices along the shorter length of the lemon. Turn the lemon half on the cutting board in front of you so that the cut off ends are on the left and right and not up and down. Start from either end by cutting off slices approximately 1/4 of an inch thick. Continue slicing until you have reached the other end.
The slices should look like crescent shapes when you are finished. If you completed slitting the center of your lemon half correctly, you should be able to attach the slice onto the lip of a cup.
Continue this process with the remaining lemons until you feel that you have enough garnishments to match your guest attendance plus a little extra. Put them in a serving dish and cover with a piece of plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. *
Once your ingredients have cooled, you are ready to create your punch.
Take the large punch bowl and pour 1/3 cup of the pineapple juice into the bottom.
Next, scoop large balls of the sherbert and place them around the bottom of the bowl. Keep scooping and stacking the sherbert into your bowl until about 2/3 of the carton is gone. Pour 1/4 cup of pineapple juice directly over the sherbert.
Slowly and gently add the Sprite. Pour towards the side of the bowl and avoid pouring directly over the sherbert as much as possible. Fill the bowl about 1/4 of the way full.
Next, pour the Strawberry-Orange Juice into the mixture the same way. Fill the bowl until it reaches the halfway point.
Continue alternating between Sprite and strawberry-orange juice until your punch bowl is full.
Most of the sherbert should have risen to the surface of your punch creating a colorful and tasty alternative to ice. Get your serving glasses and you are ready to party!
*If you opted to use the lemon garnishes, you can serve them with toothpicks or drink spears from a small bowl. Place a larger bowl of ice beneath the bowl of lemon slices to keep them cool. You can also arrange them around the sides of the punch bowl to create an extra eye catching effect.
Tip
For an extra treat, add a few shots of clear liquor of your choice. Rum or vodka works best with this recipe.
