With Christmas and New Years right around the corner, many of us will have more friends and family around to share the holiday spirit. We all to some degree stress out over the food, the gifts, the party planning and so many other things. Here I would like to share a few punch recipes that are quick, and easy to make, and surely be a big hit with family and friends.

Starting with Christmas, not only does this punch taste good, it looks really good! Here it is- enjoy:

 

Christmas Cherry Berry Punch

 

1 red maraschino cherries -well,Drained

1 green maraschino cherries -well,Drained

1 pk cherry gelatin,3 oz

1 c water,boiling

1 cn lemonade concentrate,Frozen - 6 oz

4 c cranberry juice cocktail

3 c water

1 bottle ginger ale,1 liter -chilled

At least 1 day before serving, arrange red and green cherries in clusters in a ring mold that fits into your punch bowl.

Add water to just cover cherries.

Freeze for about hours or till firm.

Add more water to fill ring.

Freeze.

(If you don't have a punch bowl, freeze cherries in ice cube trays to float in a pitcher or individual glasses or cups.)

In a large heatproof pitcher or bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water.

Add the lemonade concentrate, stirring to melt.

Add the cranberry juice and 3 cups water.

Cover and chill.

Remove ice ring from mold by running warm water over it.

Place in punch bowl, cherry side up.

Pour punch mixture over ice.

Slowly pour in ginger ale.

Makes about 13 cups.

 

 

Christmas Rum Punch

 

1 measure of fresh lime juice

2 measures of grenadine

3 measures of dark rum

4 measures of soda water

1 ds angostura bitters

1 nutmeg,Freshly Grated

1 ice

Fill the glass with ice and add a dash of the bitters.

Fill with the rest of the ingredients and then grate a little nutmeg on top.

These recipes can be used for New Years, Super Bowl Parties and your other special occasions.

 

I haven tried this one yet so let me know how it turns out!

 

 

Hot "Tailgate" Punch

 

1 ga apple cider

1 sm condensed orange -juice(frozen)

1/3 c brown sugar

5 whole cloves, to 6 -cloves

2 cinnamon sticks, to 4 -sticks

Combine ingredients and simmer 1 to 2 hours. Serve in crock pot or in a cleaned out pumpkin. Pumpkin keeps punch warm but does not change the flavor of the punch.

 

Hot Buttered Punch

 

3/4 c brown sugar

4 c water

1/4 t salt

1/4 t nutmeg

1/2 t cinnamon

1/2 t allspice

3/4 t cloves,Ground

2 lb cans jellied cranberry sauce

1 qt pineapple juice

Cinnamon sticks

Butter

In slow-cooking pot, combine brown sugar with water, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Break up cranberry sauce with fork.

Add cranberry sauce and pineapple juice to pot. Cover and heat on low for 3 to 4 hours.

Serve hot in individual mugs with cinnamon sticks.

Dot each mug with butter.

 

Hot Cider Punch

 

2 qt apple cider

1/2 t cinnamon

1/2 t mint leaves

1/4 t nutmeg

1/2 c powdered sugar

3 whole oranges,sliced

1 cloves

1/2 c apricot brandy (or other) -spirits

1. In a large saucepan combine cider, cinnamon, mint, nutmeg and

sugar.

2. Stud orange slices with cloves; add to cider.

3. Simmer very slowly, do not boil.

4. The longer it simmers, the better.

5. Just before serving, add brandy or other spirits.

Makes 12 to 16 servings.

 

Irish Coffee-Eggnog Punch

 

2 qt refrigerated eggnog

1/3 c brown sugar,firm packed

3 T coffee granules,Instant

1/2 t cinnamon

1/2 t nutmeg

1 c irish whiskey

1 qt coffee ice cream

1 sweetened whipped cream

1 nutmeg,Freshly Grated

Combine eggnog, brown sugar, instant coffee and spices in a large mixing bowl; beat at low speed with an electric mixer until sugar dissolves.

Chill 15 minutes; stir until coffee granules dissolve and stir in whiskey.

Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Pour into punch bowl or individual cups,

leaving enough room for ice cream. Spoon in ice cream. Garnish each serving as desired with whipped cream and nutmeg.

 

Mint Raspberry Punch

 

1/4 c orange juice

1/2 c lemon juice

1/2 c sugar

1 T raspberry flavoring

1/2 dozen sprigs fresh mint

1 pt cold water

Mix fruit juices, sugar and raspberry powder or flavor. Stir well and add water. Pour over large pieces of ice. Serve with a sprig of mint in each glass.

 

Non-Alcoholic Punch

A ==============================

3 lg very ripe bananas

2 c sugar

2 c water

B ==============================

1 1/2 c orange juice

1 cn (large) pinepple juice

2 bottles (or 5 tins ginger-ale)

Buzz the above "A" in a blender - it looks like glop! Then add "B".

Stir into the banana/sugar/water mixture and throw in lots of ice.

This is a big hit wherever it's served. It's great for a family picnic - can be served without alcohol but if adults want a little booze, add rum, rye, gin, or vodka.

 

Peppermint Stick Punch

 

1 1/2 c sugar

1 1/2 c lime juice from concentrate

1 c vodka (or water)

2 T white creme de menthe or -teaspoon peppermint extra

2 bottles (32-ounce) club

-soda,chilled

1 candy canes

In punch bowl, combine all ingredients except club soda and candy canes; stir until sugar dissolves. Just before serving, add club soda. Hang candy canes on edge of punch bowl or place in each punch cup for stirrer.

 

Warm Buttered Rum Punch

 

6 T dark brown sugar

100 g unsalted butter,(4oz)

1/4 t nutmeg

1/4 t nutmeg

1/4 t cloves,Ground

1 mandarin (or tangerine), zest -of

1/2 lemon, zest of

125 ml dark rum,(4fl oz)

Place the sugar and butter into a heavy based pan and stir until dissolved. Carefully add all the other ingredients to the butter and sugar mix and bring to the boil, stirring well. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes and turn off the heat. Leave to cool slightly.

Pour into glasses or mugs and serve.

 

I hope I have left you with a few recipe ideas for christmas and the holidays! I know it's cold here where I live and some of those would warm me up and taste good right about now. (this evening I should say!)

Also, if you choose any recipes with the option of alcohol, please do so responsibly. Cheers, good punch and happy holidays to everyone!