Orange Pomegranate Champagne Punch Recipe

 You can’t have a holiday party without a good champagne punch, can you? Ok fine, I guess technically you can, but it just wouldn’t be the same. Just in time for your New Year’s preparations, I thought it would be a good time to highlight a nice champagne punch recipe.

Champagne punch is an easy and relatively inexpensive beverage to serve guests at any party, but it’s traditionally served at holiday parties. If you’re going to serve this punch, I highly recommend doing it out of a classic punch bowl. Otherwise, you lose some of the effect. Guests may think it’s just a standard mixed drink, but we know it’s so much more than that.

Did you know that punch actually has Indian origins? At least, that’s the popular belief. Many believe that punch was inspired by an Indian beverage called “panch.” Panch essentially means “five ingredients,” which is what it contains. Modern punches don’t always contain exactly five ingredients and none of them even resemble the original ingredients in panch, but this is the history I was told.

Making punch is really easy, but there are a few things you should know.

• Regardless of what else is in the punch, if it sparkles, add it last. So, add the champagne or seltzer last in this recipe. 
• Chill all of your ingredients ahead of time, so you don’t have to rely on too much ice to keep the punch cold. 
• Use a large block of ice instead of small cubes. The large block will stay frozen longer, which will keep your punch from getting diluted too quickly. 
• Don’t spend too much money on the booze. With all the other ingredients, your guests will barely taste the alcohol, so buying top shelf stuff would be a waste. 
• Don’t make it too strong. I know, it’s tempting, but do you remember how drunk the company software engineer got at the last holiday party? Boy, was his face red when he had to face his peers at work the next day. Everyone will have more fun if no one gets too wasted. 

Champagne Punch Recipe

2 cups pomegranate juice
3 cups orange juice
1 cup white rum
½ cup simple syrup
1 bottle brut Champagne
8 fresh mint leaves
1 orange, cut into thin slices

Makes about 10 servings

Add pomegranate juice, orange juice, rum and simple syrup to your punch bowl. Stir. Right before the guests arrive, add the champagne and give it all a gentle stir. Garnish with mint and orange slices. Add the ice block and you’re ready for guests to indulge!

Champagne Punch Mocktail Recipe

2 cups pomegranate juice
3 cups orange juice
1 bottle lemon flavored seltzer or 7 Up
8 fresh mint leaves
1 orange, cut into thin slices 

Add pomegranate juice, orange juice, rum and simple syrup to your punch bowl. Stir. Right before the guests arrive, add the seltzer and give it all a gentle stir. Garnish with mint and orange slices. Add the ice block and you’re ready for guests to indulge!