Happy New Year’s!
Champagne Punch
Yields: 8 - 10 servings
Prep Time: 10 mins
Ingredients:
4 c. white-cranberry-strawberry juice
1/2 c. vodka (orange or strawberry vodka)
1/2 c. orange liqueur, such as triple sec
1 blood orange
4 c. Ice
1/2 c. frozen cranberries
1 c. halved strawberries
1 (750-mL.) bottle white sparkling wine, such as prosecco, cava, or champagne
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the juice, vodka, and orange liqueur. (This mixture can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.)
Cut the orange in half. Juice one of the orange halves into the punch bowl. Thinly slice the remaining half into semicircles.
Add the ice, cranberries, strawberries, and orange slices. Just before serving, carefully pour in the sparkling wine.
Notes:
Do I have to use champagne for champagne punch?
Champagne is a type of dry, sparkling wine that comes from a specific region in France and is fermented using a consistent method. But with its prestige comes a higher price tag. For a punch like this one mixed with other fruit juices, it’s smart to use a lower-priced sparkling wine like prosecco or cava in place of champagne. The bubbles and fruity flavor are what matter!
What type of sparkling wine is best for champagne punch?
The blend of fruits and juices in this champagne punch mixes well with a chilled white or rosé sparkling wine. A fuller-bodied sparkling red wine, such as Lambrusco, will compete with the cranberry and orange flavors. If you like sweeter cocktails, look for a semi-sweet sparkling wine.
Can I make champagne punch without alcohol?
Yes! With a few substitutions, big-batch cocktails like this punch can be made without alcohol. Omit the wine, vodka, and orange liqueur; then add 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup orange juice, and 3 cups of your favorite non-alcoholic sparkling beverage. Club soda or sparkling water will make the punch less sweet while ginger ale or a lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7-up will produce a sweeter punch.
Can you make champagne punch ahead of time?
If you want to work ahead, you can combine the juice, vodka, and orange liqueur in a pitcher (or your punch bowl), cover, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Just before serving, add the fruit, ice, and sparkling wine.
How long does champagne punch last?
This punch is best enjoyed just after it’s made because the sparkling wine loses its bubbles quickly. If you don’t think you’ll drink it all, consider skipping adding the wine to the punch bowl. Instead, pour the punch into glasses and top each one with some bubbly just before serving.
Tip: If white cranberry-strawberry juice is hard to find, use plain white cranberry juice.
Recipe courtesy of The Pioneer Woman.com
Have a good New Year’s!
