Punch Recipes

A punch refers to all the beverage recipes that usually contain a fruits juice, some spices with or without addition of liquor. Not many of us know that the word ‘punch’ has actually been derived from an ancient East Indian beverage recipe which used to be made with panch (meaning five) ingredients namely arrack, tea (or other spices), sugar, water and lemon. The British sailors took fancy to this refreshing beverage and soon spread the recipe to the seaport taverns. Thereafter the original recipe has undergone several variations and has become a must-have at any fluid lounge bar.

As you gear up for your New Year’s Eve celebrations, here are some refreshing punch recipes that are guaranteed to sizzle at any party.

Tequila Sunrise Punch

A sparkling punch packed with the tequila zing, smooth Sauternes and sparkling champagne blended with the sweetness of fresh watermelon. This is the perfect punch for your party.

Ingredients:
Tequila - 1 quart (4 cups)
Sauterne – Three 750ml bottles (around 13 cups)
Champagne - One 750-ml bottle
Sugar syrup
Watermelon cubes - 8 cups
Ice cubes

Preparation and Serving
Use a large punch bowl to make the punch. Pour all the ingredients in the bowl. Add the syrup to sweeten the punch according to your taste. While serving, place 2-3 fruit pieces and ice cubes according to your preference. Now pour the punch. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or watermelon slices and serve.

Rosy Champagne Punch

If Champagne and strawberries is your style, indulge in this refreshing rosy champagne punch filled with a dash of strawberry and bubbly wine to lift up your spirits this New Year’s Eve.

Ingredients:
Frozen Sweetened Strawberries - Two 10-ounce packages
Rose Wine - Two 750-ml (about 6½ cups)
Lemon Juice – 1 ½ Cups
Sugar Syrup
Champagne – Three 750-ml (about 10 cups)
Ice cubes

Preparation and Serving
Before you start the preparation, make sure all the ingredients are sufficiently chilled. Make a strawberry purée and adding a little of the rosé wine to it. Add some sugar syrup to lemon juice. Pour it into the punch bowl. Stir the punch well so that all ingredients get mixed. Make sure to add the champagne just before serving. Add some ice cubes and garnish with some fresh strawberries.

Exotic Rum Punch

If you are looking for a punch that is a little more innovative and wacky, the exotic rum punch replete with the goodness of tropical fruits, coconut cream and the heavenly flavor of the Malibu Rum.

Ingredients
Guava nectar - 8 cups (2 quarts)
Pineapple juice - 6 cups
Fresh Lime juice 1 cup
Coconut cream - 2 cups
Malibu Rum - 3 cups

Preparation and Serving
Add the chilled ingredients into the punch bowl and mix them well. Once the punch is ready, make your punch glasses ready with some crushed ice at the bottom. Serve the punch over the crushed ice and garnish with some tropical fruit slices or herbs according to your convenience.

Tangy Citrus Punch

For all the people who prefer their drinks without liquor, here is an easy-to make tangy citrus punch, with a splash of oranges and grapefruit.

Ingredients
Cold water – 2 cups
Orange juice concentrate,- 6 ounces
Grapefruit juice concentrate – 6 ounces
Sparkling water -1 liter

Preparation and serving
Make sure all your ingredients are chilled sufficiently before you mix them. Mix all the chilled ingredients into the punch bowl and add the sparkling water just before serving. Serve with ice cubes and garnish with orange slices or fresh mint leaves.

Punch Recipes - Tips to Remember

• Always use a large enough punch bowl for mixing your ingredients. Preferably use a metal bowl.
• Always Mix all the ingredients in a punch recipe, in the mentioned order. Since almost all the recipe will instruct you to add the sparkling ingredients in the end.
• Make sure all you ingredients are chilled. A punch will lose all its zing if it is not chilled to perfection.
• Avoid serving a punch with fruit pieces floating in it. Either puree the fruits real well and strain them before adding, or simply use a concentrate to avoid the hassles.
• Use a sugar syrup instead of sugar. A sugar syrup will not take time to dissolve and will instantly sweeten your punch.
• Last but not the least, remember that no matter how well your punch tastes, it is always better to garnish it with some fresh fruits and herbs.