Preparation Guideline for Yuletide Evening Punch
Active Duration: 10 minutes Total Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes Servings: 8Southern folk believe there's no inappropriate moment for a fantastic punch, and the holiday season is brimming with punch opportunities. Be it welcoming relatives for gift unwrapping, inviting neighbors for a pleasant gathering, or hosting friends for a swap meet, serve a punch bowl, and everyone will be delighted.
A simple syrup is prepared with cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Ginger beer provides a subtle ginger warmth, but it's not spicy. Cranberry juice contributes the vivid crimson hue and tart zest, while brandy infuses undertones of vanilla. Although the brandy is subtle, it can catch you off guard if you're unsure of your consumption amount.
We've labeled this punch "Christmas Eve Punch" due to its comforting, festive taste, but this moderately tart drink is ideal for serving throughout the fall and winter seasons.
Active Time:10 mins Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Servings:8
Serve with typical party treats such as Cheese Thumbprints, Cranberry Brie Bites, and Cocktail Meatballs.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup tap water
- 15 whole cloves (approximately 1 tsp.)
- 6 whole allspice (about 1/4 tsp.)
- 3 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, broken into halves
- 3 whole star anise
- 1 (32-ounce) bottle pure unsweetened cranberry juice
- 2 (6.8-ounce) bottles ginger beer (such as Fever Tree)
- 2/3 cup bottled pure lime juice (such as Lakood Organic)
- 1 cup (8 ounces) brandy
- Orange slices
- Lime slices
- Fresh or frozen cranberries
- Rosemary sprigs
Directions
Prepare spiced simple syrup:
Combine sugar, water, cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, and star anise in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, roughly 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a punch bowl; discard solids.2. ### Combine punch ingredients and chill:
Add cranberry juice, ginger beer, lime juice, and brandy to punch bowl and stir to combine. Cover and chill 1 hour or until ready to serve.
Garnish with orange and lime slices, cranberries, and rosemary sprigs.
Recipe Note
To prepare a non-alcoholic punch, replace brandy with 1 cup club soda.
- For an enhanced holiday experience, consider serving this "Christmas Eve Punch" alongside Winter Recipes such as Christmas Appetizers like Cheese Thumbprints, Cranberry Brie Bites, and Cocktail Meatballs.
- The cocktail includes Cocktails like this one, filled with the aroma and flavor of Spices like cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
- The Cranberry juice in this drink not only provides its vibrant Crimson hue but also contributes a Tart zest to the Winter Drinks mix.
- Entertaining Ideas Tips suggest that serving Cocktails like this during the Winter Recipes season will make your gathering more lively and enjoyable.
- As you prepare your Cocktails and Christmas Recipes, ensure to include Cocktail Meatballs in your selection, as they complement Cocktails perfectly.
