While we continue enjoying all the beautiful tablescapes linked for this week’s Tablescape Thursday, I thought I’d share a wonderful recipe for a Champagne Punch I make every Christmas and New Year’s. It’s easy to make and always a big hit. If you don’t care for champagne, you can substitute chilled club soda, instead.
If you are making this for a small gathering of 4-6 people, one batch will do. If you’re having a larger gathering, you’ll want to make several batches because it’s always a big hit and goes quickly. I went through 4 batches (with none left over) when I had a party with 25 in attendance. So, that works out to be around 1 batch for every 6 folks in attendance.
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 1 bottle champagne (Korbel Brut works great)
- Small amount of Grand Marnier (or any orange liqueur you prefer)
- Red sugar
- Green sugar
- In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, cinnamon sticks and cloves to boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Discard cinnamon and cloves.
- Cool to room temperature and pour into a large pitcher.
- Add cranberry juice and pineapple juice.
- Chill in fridge until ready to serve.
- At serving time, add 1 bottle of chilled champagne.
Dip the Rims in Nonpareils for a Festive Occasion:
For a New Year’s Eve party or a birthday party, I like to dip the rims of the glasses in nonpareils, instead of the the colored sugars I use at Christmastime.
When you are ready to serve this punch, just pour a little Grand Marnier or any orange liqueur into a shallow dish. Pour some nonpareils into a bowl.
Dip the rim of the champagne glass into the Grand Marnier, then into the bowl of nonpareils. Then pour the punch into the glass
You can serve the punch from a punch bowl and ladle it into the glass, but since the opening of a champagne glass is so small, it can be pretty messy with the punch ending up running down the sides of the glass. I found it much easier to just pour it from a pitcher.
Or, if you have a beverage server similar to the one below, that will work well, too.
You may wish to print off some copies of this recipe because your guests are going to be asking for it. Or, just tell them it’s an old family recipe and you’ve been sworn to secrecy.
Love the candy around the glass rim. This sounds perfect for upcoming family Christmas in January. There are too many of us to gather during December, so we save a festive weekend for January. Perfect drink to ring in the New Year. Thanks as always for posting and hosting. ~CJ
Sounds wonderful and looks so festive! I must give this a try, and soon!
That sounds wonderful Susan, I am definitely making this one!! Have a Happy New Year! Martina
Looks so divine. What a great way to ring in the new year!
Susan,
Eye appealing with its lovely rosy hue!!! An inspiring punch recipe! Thank you! Have a Happy New Year!
Fondly,
Pat
Susan,
Made this last year for our neighborhood Christmas party! Got RAVE reviews! Thanks so much for sharing.
Denise
I have a favorite champagne punch recipe that I've used for years but I think I'll try this next time.
Denise, that's great! I just made it for Christmas and it went fast.
I was wondering what to do for New Years Eve! I will make this punch! Thanks for sharing!
I don't usually like my Champagne with anything added, but I'll certainly give this a go. I'm sure my guests will like it.
Have a wonderful New Year. xx
Hi Susan,
Thanks so much for this lovely recipe. I had printed it off earlier from one of your previous posts. And, now, I'll just bring up this current post on my computer when I go to make it and will have the step-by-step at hand with all the visuals! Haha It's going to be fun!
Thank you, too, for the opportunity to join your recent blog party! It was exciting and I received many new visitors as a result! See you again in the New Year…
Cheers to a Happy and Healthy 2012 to you and yours,
Linda at Beautiful Ideas
This sounds delicious, I really want to try it! Thanks for sharing the perfect New Year's Eve drink!
This sounds delicious, I really want to try it! Thanks for sharing the perfect New Year's Eve drink!
Loved this recipe and it is one I pinned and then gave a mention to on highpointcircle.blogspot. I enjoy your blog and your talents. Happy New Year's to you.
Thanks, Robin! Appreciate the mention…so sweet of you to do that! I love this punch…def. a fave in this household.
Happy New Year, Robin!
OOHHH yum, and so pretty! Thanks Susan – just what I needed for tonight!
You made it easy, too, that is appreciated very much, thank you a gain.
HAPPY NEW YEAR BLESSINGS TO YOU – hope you have a wonderful new year enjoying your porch and lovely surroundings.
Thanks for the recipe! Sounds great. Hope you have a wonderful 2012
That sounds delicious! Thank you so much for sharing and for the tip of using orange liquor to do the sugar rimmed glasses, I wouldn’t have thought of that