Christmas Punch

I love games; board games, card games, trivia, you name it. So, I always try to have a game for my family to play on Christmas Eve, and this year is no exception. But I am still determining what that game will be! We’ve played them all, and I am drawing a blank! Suggestions appreciated!

We have checked one thing off our list. We have decided what our meal will be. That’s a huge one around here. We all consider ourselves authorities on the matter and have very strong opinions. We have agreed upon appetizers. I’m so excited because I pushed for this one! One of my favorite things to do is make a meal of appetizers. No matter if I am dining out, camping, or at home.

This year I plan to make this fabulous Christmas Punch. I’m not a huge punch fan, but I have combined a few different recipes to come up with one that my entire family loves, including me! We had it with our charcuterie board on Thanksgiving and loved it.

It’s not a set-in-stone recipe but a guide. Tasting it occasionally while making it is my number one tip. For a beautifully festive look, garnish each serving glass with an orange slice, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Christmas Punch

Ingredients

•1 (64-ounce) Ocean Spray Cran-Pomegranate juice

•1 (12-ounce) Lemonade frozen concentrated

•1 cup Ocean Spray Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

•1 cup good quality orange juice

•Juice of 4-6 limes to taste

•1 teaspoon almond extract or more to taste

•Sprite

•Fresh cranberries washed and dried for serving

•Orange slices for serving

•Ice

Instructions

•In a gallon jug, mix the Cran-Pomegranate juice, lemonade concentrate, Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice, orange juice, lime juice and almond extract. Taste and adjust flavors as you like.

•My serving method is, to add an orange slice to the side of a glass. Add ice to the glass and top with a few cranberries. Add fruit juice mixture to fill the glass about 3/4 full. Finish filling the glass with Sprite. Top with a rosemary sprig and serve.

Notes

*Almond extract can overpower a recipe quickly, add it a little at a time until you get the flavor you prefer.

*If you would rather serve from a punch bowl, pour the fruit juice mixture into a punch bowl, add Sprite, to taste, and fresh fruit. Serve over ice. If left for too long the Sprite could go flat.

*Ginger Ale can be used in place of Sprite.

*If you prefer, you can always sweeten it slightly by adding sugar to the fruit juice mixture.

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