Citrus Fruit Punch
On a hot summer day, a refreshing citrus punch is the perfect remedy to quench a thirst.
- - 1 litre orange juice
- - 1 litre pineapple juice
- - 1 litre grapefruit juice
- - 1 litre dry ginger ale
- - 1 lemon and 1 orange - thinly sliced
- - 1 sprig of mint
- - 1 cup sugar (optional)
- - 1 cup water (optional)
Combine the fruit juices together in a large bowl or jug. If you prefer a sweeter punch, then dissolve the sugar in boiling water, and add to punch. Chill thoroughly. To serve, add ice, thinly sliced pieces of lemon and orange, and roughly shredded mint leaves.
For more “punch” in your punch, replace the ginger ale with champagne.
Another refreshing variation is to replace one of the juices with tea – pour a litre of boiling water over 4 teabags, leave to steep for 5 – 10 minutes, remove teabags, add to punch and allow to chill before serving as above.
Christmas merry berry punch
- 1½ litre cranberry juice
- 3 cups soda water
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 1 lime - thinly sliced
- 1 punnet strawberries – finely chopped
- 1 punnet blueberries
- 1 cup mint leaves
- crushed ice to serve
Combine cranberry juice, soda water, and lime juice in a large jug or bowl. Add berries, mint leaves, and lime slices. Serve in tall glasses half filled with crushed ice and topped with the punch.
Sparkling mint juleps
- 1 cup caster sugar
- ¼ cup roughly chopped mint leaves
- 1 cup water
- 750ml soda water
- Ice cubes and mint sprigs to serve
Create the sugar syrup base by combining sugar, mint leaves and water in a small saucepan over a low heat. Do not boil. Stir the sugar is dissolved. Bring to the boil and simmer for five minutes. Pour into a small jug and refrigerate until chilled. Strain through a sieve into a large serving jug. Add soda water, ice cubes and mint leaves and stir.