Sangria and Other Summer Punch Ideas

Simplify your next summer party with a punch bowl filled with a refreshing and colorful drink. As the host/hostess, you'll have more time to spend with guests instead of making (and refilling) several different drinks. Just remember to have bottled or chilled water on hand and non-alcoholic drinks available also.

A beautiful glass punch bowl can easily be the focal point of a summer buffet table - set it on one side of your table with glasses and cocktail napkins nearby. You might use large blocks of ice in the punch bowl or have a filled ice bucket nearby. If you add ice to the punchbowl, do so sparingly - it will dilute the contents of your drink.

Here is a refreshing and colorful way to serve ice water with a pleasant citrus taste. Amounts of sliced fruit, ice cubes and water will depend on the size of your punch bowl.

Lemons, Limes, Oranges - rinse well and slice medium thick (remove seeds as you go and discard the first and last slices of each fruit so you'll have full, round attractive slices)

Fill the bottom of your punch bowl with a single layer of ice cubes, add a row of fruit slices along the inside of the punch bowl just above the ice, slipping the slices about halfway below the ice. Add water just to the top of the fruit. Continue to add another "layer" of ice cubes, followed by another row of sliced fruit and enough water to cover the ice. Depending on the size of your bowl you'll usually do this three to four times. As you get close to the top of the bowl, use less ice and more water so you can easily add a ladle to serve the drinks. Float a few slices of fruit on the top. Extra sliced fruit can be placed in a dish nearby so you can easily add more as necessary.

Sangria is another popular and refreshing summertime drink and it can be made many different ways. You can serve it in a punch bowl or by the pitcher. Be sure to experiment a bit with different fruits, liquors and garnishes. Here are some ideas...

1 bottle Red Wine, chilled (not too dry)

1 can Seven Up, chilled (or a lemon lime soda)

1 cup Orange Juice, chilled

½ cup Brandy

1 orange, thinly sliced

1 lemon, thinly sliced

1 apple, sliced (Pippin and Granny Smith might be too tart)

Wash all fruit well prior to slicing

Place the fruit in a bowl or pitcher and add the brandy. Chill for at least an hour, preferably more.

Add the wine, 7 Up and orange juice to the fruit mixture and crush the fruit slightly.

Taste test and add more 7 Up, orange juice or brandy. If the wine is too dry, you might add some sugar

Serve in pitchers or a punch bowl.

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1 Bottle White Wine

1 cup Club Soda

½ cup Vodka

½ cup Peach Schnapps

4-5 White Peaches, thinly sliced

1 cup Seedless Green Grapes

Wash the peaches before slicing. Wash the grapes and crush slightly. Place all ingredients in a bowl or pitcher and chill overnight. Taste test and adjust ingredients if necessary. You may prefer to use lemon lime soda or ginger ale for a sweeter Sangria. Serve in a punch bowl or by the pitcher.

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Here is a good basic punch with no alcohol.

Non-alcoholic Punch

20 Oz Cranberry Cocktail

20 Oz Ginger Ale, chilled

6 Oz Orange Juice

Lemon Slices, thinly sliced

1 Basket fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced

Wash the lemon(s) well before cutting into half slices. Place sliced strawberries, cranberry cocktail and orange juice into a pitcher or bowl and chill for several hours. Add Ginger Ale just prior to serving. Taste test and adjust ingredients if necessary. Serve in a punch bowl or pitcher. Garnish each glass with a half slice of lemon.

When decorating your table and bar area, look to your garden for inspiration. Mint leaves can be placed around your punch bowl - so can fresh grapes, especially if you're serving Sangria. Garnish your drinks with fresh fruit or edible flowers and leaves. Just be sure to wash them well. Small pots filled with herbs make a quick and attractive decoration on your buffet table or in the bar area.

Best of all, make it simple and have a great time.