Kerri's Holiday Punch
This recipe delivers a quick-to-prepare, festive holiday punch, ideal for large gatherings. It blends Southern Comfort with bright citrus juices and a lemon-lime carbonated beverage, enhanced by a touch of red food coloring and garnished with fresh orange and lemon slices for a vibrant, cheerful drink.
Equipment
- 1 Large Punch Bowl Capacity suitable for 30 servings.
- 1 Liquid Measuring Cup For accurate measurement of juices.
- 1 Ladle For easy serving.
- 1 Sharp Chef's Knife For slicing citrus garnishes.
- 1 Cutting Board For preparing fruit garnishes.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 750 milliliter bottle Southern Comfort liqueur
- 6 fluid ounces lemon juice
- 1 6 ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
- 1 6 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate
- 3 liters lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
- 2 drops red food coloring
- 1 orange sliced into rounds
- 1 lemon sliced into rounds
Instructions
- Ensure all liquid ingredients, especially the concentrates and soda, are well-chilled before beginning.
- On a clean cutting board, carefully slice the orange and lemon into thin, attractive rounds for garnish.
- In a very large punch bowl, combine the Southern Comfort, lemon juice, thawed frozen lemonade concentrate, and frozen orange juice concentrate.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly with a large spoon or whisk until the concentrates are fully dissolved and well incorporated.
- Add 2 drops of red food coloring to the punch base and stir gently until a uniform, festive color is achieved throughout the liquid.
- Just before guests arrive or serving, slowly pour in the 3 liters of lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage.
- Stir the punch very gently to combine the soda without losing excessive carbonation.
- Add a large block of ice or an ice ring to the punch bowl to keep it cold; avoid small ice cubes that melt quickly.
- Float the prepared orange and lemon slices on top of the punch for an elegant and aromatic garnish.
- Place a ladle in the punch bowl, set up serving glasses nearby, and serve immediately for optimal enjoyment.
Notes
1. Ensure all liquid ingredients are thoroughly chilled before mixing to prevent rapid ice melt and dilution, maintaining the punch's integrity and flavor.2. For optimal carbonation, add the lemon-lime soda just before serving. Stir gently to combine without agitating too much, preserving the fizz.3. Elevate presentation by freezing cranberries or thin citrus slices into an ice ring or large ice block instead of using small ice cubes. This chills effectively and melts slower.4. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness if desired; a touch more lemon juice or a dash of simple syrup can customize the balance. Consider adding a few dashes of bitters for complexity.5. For a more festive aroma, garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs alongside the citrus.