22 DECEMBER 20, 2018 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
HOLIDAY GUIDE
Punch It Up this Holiday Season
If you are looking to host an unforgettable
holiday cocktail party,
punch can make a memorable
impression on your guests and bring
your get-together to the next level.
Punch reached the height of its popularity
during the Victorian Age. Originally
made with alcohol, it ultimately
became a non-alcoholic drink largely
due to the preference of Queen Victoria.
Over the following decades, it faded in
popularity, briefl y regaining favor in
the 1920s when champagne punch was
a hallmark of parties and celebrations.
Now, as new generations are reinvigorating
old favorites and enjoying
the art of mixology, punch is trending
again.
Start by making punch a visual
centerpiece at your holiday party.
Consider a charming drink dispenser,
an unusual punch bowl or
an elegant glass pitcher. Let your
personal and unique style shine
through with your choice of glassware
and table decorations and
offer a variety of garnish selections
for your guests to further personalize
their glasses.
Typically, punches start with a
blend of sweet and tangy, and you can
get that "swangy" taste with an option
like Tree Top's 100% Pure Pressed
Sweet & Tart Apple Cider as a base.
For inspiration, take a mixologist's
approach to creating a memorable
punch. Lemon, cinnamon and cloves
not only spice up the fl avor but can
also double as decorations. Try ginger
beer for a nice fi zzle, and for an
adult-only punch, consider adding
vodka or rum.
Your punch table can be a place to
gather and reconnect with loved ones
while enjoying a trending holiday
beverage. Find more recipes perfect
for entertaining at treetop.com.
SWANGY CIDER PUNCH
Servings: 10 (8 ounces each)
1 bottle (64 ounces) Tree Top 100%
Pure Pressed Sweet & Tart Apple Cider
16 ounces ginger beer
2 oranges, juice only
1 lime, juice only
1 lemon, juice only
1 cup vodka or light rum (optional)
1 sliced Granny Smith apple
6 star anise pieces, plus additional
for garnish (optional)
Photo courtesy of Alamy
6 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
frozen cranberries, for garnish
(optional)
colored sugars or ginger crystals,
for garnish (optional)
In punch container, combine apple
cider, ginger beer, orange juice,
lime juice, lemon juice and vodka
or rum, if desired, for an alcoholic
version.
Decorate container with apple slices,
star anise pieces, cloves and cinnamon
sticks.
Personalize each serving with
additional star anise pieces, frozen
cranberries and sugars or ginger
crystals, as desired. Serve cold.
Courtesy Family Features