JUST THE RIGHT PUNCH

It has been four years of blogging about punch recipes. I cannot believe I have finally reached the bottom of the collection that my dad left me so many years ago. I am not going to post all the many single drinks that are also in the collection as I believe that is a whole other category. I also have an entire cookbook of recipes from famous restaurants that was given to my dad from different chefs. Which I could see many wanting to get a glimpse of. Well maybe in the future. But for now I am closing the chapter on theBest1-2punchrecipes and have begun work on publishing the book. It will be available to all on this blog and my website as well soon. Thank you for your faithfulness in this journey it has been an enlightening experience. I thank my dad as well for leaving the book with me and for his creativeness. Here is a review of the qualifications of just the "right punch"
(this blog was started on August 29, 2010 which is 2 days after my Mom and Dads birthday/anniversary August 27) Cheers to you both!

A successful punch is a drink with character. It is either definitely hot or thoroughly chilled. It has a pleasing tang and is never too sweet. It delights the eye as well as the taste and maintains its strength to the very last cup.  You can prepare punches in any amount. Most kinds of punch are easy to put together in terms of gallons. But a few, like the famous Planters Punch are traditionally made for one tall glass. And the fruit Sangria that's liked so well is meant to be served in pitcher. Cold punches benefit by mixing ahead and allowing to blend. For optimum chilling and strength, chill all ingredients thoroughly before placing in the bowl with ice to avoid too rapid melting and a diluted punch. Always add sparkling mixes just before serving.

strawberry ice mold

A large single ice block will not melt as quickly as small cubes. Ice molds are a decorative addition to the punch bowl They are especially attractive when the water is colored or when a pattern of berries or pieces of fruit are frozen into them.

green and red ice mold

A novel block of ice or cubes can also be made by freezing fruit cocktail or pineapple chuncks  along with their juice. You may also make the mold with one of the mixers or juice so that when it melts it does not dilute the drink.

fruit ice mold

Small scoops of sherbet can take the place of ice and at the same time, produce a decorative effect. When using take into account the sweetness they give.
A handsome punch bowl with matching cups makes an impressive presentation and one of the fancy fountains are always a hit a big events. You can always use the hollowed out watermelon for creating a "cool" looking display at seasonally appropriate events.

watermelon punch bowl

When preparing punch, use a simple syrup of superfine sugar for sweetening to insure complete dissolving. For large crowds it's ok to serve up several cups at a time, but do not do this with carbonated punches.

punchbowl with matching glasses

A festive well filled punch bowl radiates cordiality on an impressive scale. Yet it is the easiest way to provide refreshment for a large or lingering group.
Thank you again for visiting the site and I hope you always return when you are in need of just the right punch!

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ICE!

Summer has arrived and I have just returned from a seven day, party! It has literally been one party after  another. Starting with a Hoopfest celebration, the 4th of July and my birthday! Whew! So after all that I find this little party guide and found a lot of useful tips for next year!
Parties ought to be fun for everyone, including the host thats what this little party guide is about. these suggestions will help you take much of the work and some of the expense from party giving. You'll have more fun and so will your guests!

ICE IS NICE-DON'T RUN SHORT. Nothing is more exasperating than an empty ice bucket in the middle of a party. Don't let it happen. Figure on at least 15 cubes per guest...preferably more. Good tip....Freeze enough ice before the party. Store in plastic bags in freezer (this article was obviously pre ice maker)
So in short don't skimp on the ice! Use several cubes per glass. One of the marks of a good host is being generous with the ice.
Put punch into your party!
punch is ideal for large parties. A good punch tastes delicious, is easy to make  and can be quite economical.Furthermore your guests can serve themselves, freeing you from that job!

PARTY PUNCH
2 quarts grape juice
1 pint orange juice
1 quart ginger ale
1 fifth Smirnoff Vodka
stir ingredients in punch bowl with large chunck of ice. Garnish with lemon and orange slices. Make 46 servings.

VALENTINES DAY PUNCH RECIPES FOR KIDS

Colorful punches add excitement to any child's birthday or holiday party. Canned punch made with the fruit of the Hawaiian islands,long a favorite with the young set is available in red, orange, graape and pineapple varieties.
SNAPPY APPLE PUNCH

2 cans  46 oz each regular or low calorie red Hawaiian punch chilled.
1 quart apple juice, chilled
2 apples, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
lime juice
whole cloves
combine the Hawaiian punch and apple juice. Brush apple slices with lime juice to keep them from discoloring, press whole cloves into slices to make heart shapes. Carefully float heart apples in punch.
YIELDS: 4 quarts

TANGY FRUIT PUNCH
1 cup orange juice
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup grenadine syrup
1 tall bottle of gingerale
red food coloring
ice
combine fruit juices and grenadine. Chill. At serving time gradually add gingerale and tint to desired shade with red food coloring. Serve in tall galsses with pleanty of ice.
YIELDS:8-10 servings

CRAN-PINEAPPLE
2 pints cranberry juice cocktail
2 -18 ounce cans unsweetened pineapple juice
1 1/2 cups lemon juice
2 cups sugar
2 -12 ounce bottle of gingerale
ice block
lemon slices
combine fruit juices and sugar; stir until sugar dissolves. Chill. at serving time pour over ice in punch bowl, slowly add gingerale.float lemon slices on top
YIELDS;25 punch cup servings


this isn't really a punch but does classify as a liquid, so I'm counting it as one of the next ten! (40)

PINK AND WHITE ICE CREAM POPS
6 scoops vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup Nestles Quik Strawberry Flavor
1/2 cup coconut
Roll individual scoops of ice cream in the strawberry flavor and then repeat in the coconut. Place in decorative cupcake liners and freeze until serving time.
YIELDS:6


STRAWBERRY EGGNOG
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tbs Nestles Quik Strawberry Flavor.
combine all ingredients in blender, blend at high speed for about 20 seconds. Serve immediately.
try these milk cubes in this punch.

ROSY APPLE PUNCH

2 cans (12 ounce each) frozen apple juice concentrate
2 cans water
1 qt cranberry juice well chilled
1 quart sparkling water or gingerale well chilled
1 apple sliced around the circumference of apple to make a circular slice.
put frozen apple juice in large mixing bowl or pitcher. Mix  in water wiith frozen concetrate.Add cranberry juice, Just before serving pour mixture over ice block in punch bowl, add sparkling water or gingerale.
YIELD;30 punch cup servings

RUBY RED CRANBERRY PUNCH
1 12 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 No. 2 can (2-1/2 cups) pineapple juice
1 1/2 qts water or soda water
6 pints cranberry juice cocktail.
add water to frozen concetrates as directed on cans or use part water and part sodawater. If using soda water, use 1 part water to mix juices in liquid then add soda water. Serve over ice in punch bowl or make valentine ice wreath below.
YIELDS; 50 punch cup servings

VALENTINE WREATH
one bottle maraschino cherries
2 cups pineapple juice
2 cups cranberry juice
place cherries in bottom of valentine ice mold. Put a little pineapple juice in mold and freeze, take out and add cranberry juice freeze until firm. To unmold dip in lukewarm water and invert into punch bowl. To unmold dip the bottom of mold in luke warm water and invert intounch bowl. When inverting into glass punch bowl. hold ring so that it will not drop too abruptly into bowl.

SPARKLING STRAWBERRY PUNCH
1 gallon lemonade
1 quart pineapple
3 quarts gingerale
1 1/2 qts strawberries fresh sliced
strawberried, whole as needed
combine lemondade and pineapple juice. Pour over ice inpunch bowl. Add ginerale and sliced strawberries. Garnish with a whole strawberry.
YIELDS; 2 -1/2 gallons

ST VALENTINES PUNCH
2 pks raspberry  gelatin
2 cups boiling water
2 -6ounce cans frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate
1 quart cold water
2 cups papaya juice
2 tall bottles gingerale
1 can redi-whip (whipped cream)
valentine ice mold
dissolve gelatin in boiling water, stir in lemonade concentrate, cold water and papaya juice.Pour mixture over ice block,slowly add gingerale. form a valentine shaped on top of punch in bowl, with canned whipped cream. or spoon dollops, of plastic container whipped cream,or try these heart shape milk cubes.

STRAWBERRY PARTY POPS
1/2 cup Nestles QuikStrawberry flavor
1 -1oz pkg unflavored gelatin
2 -1/2 cup milk
in small saucepan, combine Strawberry flavor and gelatin mix, gradually stir in 1 cup milk. Heat stirring constantly, until gelatin dissolves. Add 1-1/2 cups milk and chill in refrigerator until slightly thickened about 1- 1/2 hours. Spoon mixture into 8 -3oz paper cups. insert wooden stick in center. Freeze until ready to serve. Remove paper cup before serving.
YIELDS; 8

DECORATIVE ICE RING

LEMON SLICES
QUARTERED RED AND GREEN MARASCHINO CHERRIES
SPRIGS OF MINT OR HUCKLEBERRY

Arrange lemon slices and cherries along with the mint or huckleberry sprigs on the bottom of ring mold.
Add enough water to partially cover.
Freeze.
When frozen add water to fill 3/4 full.
Freeze.
Unmold.

In memory of our Lady Liz

Float Fruit side up in punchbowl.

JUNE PUNCH


4 cups sugar
4 cups water
2 cups strong black tea
six 6 ounce cans frozen lemonade concentrate undiluted
two-6 ounce cans frozen orange juice concentrate undiluted
2 number 2 cans pineapple juice (5 cups)
2 cups cut-up fresh strawberries and juice or 16 ounces of frozen strawberries, thawed
1 gallon of water
2 quart dry ginger-ale

Make syrup by boiling sugar and 4 cups of water for 10 minutes. Add tea and fruit juices. Chill 2-3 hours. Add remaining ingredients.
Pour over decorative ice block in punch bowl.

Serves 60-70

small things iced