There’s nothing like a refreshing fruit punch to get any party started! Whether you are hosting a birthday party, a casual get together with friends, or any other event, serving punch can add to the atmosphere while keeping things simple. Instead of having to serve drinks, you can offer fresh punch along with a few other options for those who possibly don’t have such sweet inclinations.
The first thing to remember when it comes to fruit punch is that it’s really important to soak your fruit in vodka overnight. The best kind of fruit to use is canned fruit. Fruit cocktail cans or jars contain a wonderful combination that you can just toss into the bowl, cover with vodka, and let it stand in the fridge overnight.
Once your fruit has soaked up enough vodka, it’s time to add some sparkling wine and orange juice. The key is to make this drink slightly stronger than you might like. Reason being, you are going to add some ice to the bowl to chill it right down and, as the ice melts, it will dilute the mixture. You can also add some fresh lemon juice if you want to really enhance those citrus flavours. If you find that your punch is still too strong for your liking, you can add some lemon soda or even tonic water to dilute it and add more bubbles at the same time.
If you want more of a tropical flavour, you could ease up on the vodka and add some coconut rum like Malibu. If you do this, make sure that you add extra pineapple too! The pineapple flavour really works wonders with that rum taste.
Don’t forget to garnish your punch bowl with slices of lemon and orange for even more colour. Just like food, your punch needs to be presented in such a way that your guests will line up for a glass! As for the glasses, don’t forget that punch is served in small tumblers or glasses that somewhat resemble teacups. If you buy a punch bowl set, it will usually include all the bits and pieces. Some of these sets even include a ladle which is how this drink is served.
Make sure that you always mix the punch with the ladle before serving each glass. Serve some of the fruit in each glass if desired and, be careful not to consume too much off the fruit! The fruit has had time to absorb a fair amount of alcohol which adds to the flavour but you should warn them about the alcohol content. Another good tip to remember is to place your punch bowl inside another bowl of ice. This will keep your punch cold and you won’t need to add any more ice to the bowl! Make a double batch and keep half in a sealed bowl or jug in the fridge until you need to top up the bowl.