Punch Cocktails

Summer is the season when people enjoy spending a great amount of their leisure time outdoors.

It’s also a time of celebrations and parties: weddings, bachelor/bachelorette parties, graduation parties, Fourth of July parties or just casual get-togethers amongst family and friends.

Whatever the reason, if you plan on having a party or suddenly find yourself with a houseful of people in the mood to have some fun, you might find these punch recipes just the thing for the occasion.

Punches are an easy and effective way to keep your friends and guests happy and refreshed while still allowing you the time and freedom to enjoy yourself.

They can be made quickly and easily and you can even make them early and then store them in a refrigerator until the right moment. Remember - it's always best to use ingredients that have been pre-chilled when making your punch, especially if it's going to be used right away.

If you make your punch beforehand, do not add any carbonated or “fizzy” ingredients (club soda, champagne etc.) until right before you actually bring the punch out. If you do, there's a good chance that it will develop a flat, stale taste when your guests finally sample it, causing all your hard work and preparation to go to waste.

Use a block of ice to keep your punch cool as ice cubes will melt quickly, dilute your punch and affect the taste. You can also freeze a portion of your punch into ice (in a gallon jug for instance,) and use that to keep your punch cool without it getting a watered down taste. It's recommended that you use a 2 qt. block of ice for every gallon of punch.

Of course, you will need a punch bowl and while you can use basically any glasses you want - many hosts use punch glasses as they usually do not hold an overly large amount of liquid and will promote a more timely, casual sipping enjoyment of your punch.

Enjoy these punch recipes and enjoy the beautiful summer weather!

Apple Ginger Punch

Arawak Punch

Artillery Punch

Barbados Bowl

Bellini Punch

Black Cherry Rum Punch

Champagne Punch

Champagne Maraschino Punch

Champagne Sherbet Punch

Claret Cup

Cranberry Pineapple Vodka Punch