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Happy Hour: Italian Fruit Punch

partysugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:00:19 -0800

Last week, while at my parents house, I was watching an old episode of Everyday Italian when my mom turned to me and said, "Let's make that cocktail!" With its vibrant color it looked amazing, so we sent my dad to the store to pick up the ingredients. The recipe calls for maraschino liqueur, a spirit that's pretty difficult to find.

The next best substitute, according to the alcohol specialist at G&G Market, is kirschwasser. Although it didn't have the bright orange hue, the cocktail was spectacular: not too sweet with a hint of fizz.

Limoncello is an unexpected flavor that makes the drink tart. The recipe makes enough for six cocktails, so it's perfect for entertaining. To look at Giada's recipe, read more.

Italian Fruit Punch
From Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients

2 cups orange juice
2 cups chilled sparkling water
1/2 cup maraschino liqueur
1/4 cup limoncello
Ice

Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a pitcher. Stir to mix. Pour into glasses and enjoy.
Makes about 6 cocktails.

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Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:48 -0700

During the main meal at my harvest-themed dinner party, I'll pair the chicken and risotto with wine. However, before we sit down to the table, I want to treat guests to a luxurious champagne cocktail.

Since a punch easily quenches the thirst of a crowd, I'll be mixing a large bowl of classic champagne punch. The cocktail gets its rosy hue from chambord, a raspberry-flavored liquor.

With the poached pear dessert, I'll let guests sip a sweet late harvest wine. To check out the recipe I'll be using for the punch, keep reading.

Come Party With Me: All Hallow's Eve - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:46 -0700

It's T minus two days until your big Halloween party! Since nobody wants to spend the entire night mixing cocktails, serve a punch. It's quenches the thirst of a crowd and is easy to make. All you have to do is dump the ingredients into a cauldron and stir. This potent concoction is a mixture of passion fruit vodka, cranberry juice, ginger ale, and sparkling apple cider. To achieve a smoldering affect, you'll have to get your hands on dry ice, but if you don't have time to seek it out, the punch is still enjoyable without the smoke. Also, stock up on beer or order a keg. To check out the apple punch recipe, read more.

Wicked Witch Apple Punch
From Skky

Ingredients

1 750 ml bottle Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit
1 750 ml bottle sparkling apple cider
1 64 oz. bottle cranberry juice cocktail
1 Liter ginger ale
2 cups pineapple juice
Red apple slices

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large black witch’s cauldron with ice and stir.
Garnish with large slices of red apple floating on top and if desired, dry ice.

Serves 12-14.

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Off To Market! Office Party Punch

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:01:11 -0800

My office is getting ready for a fabulous holiday party and yours truly has been put in charge of the drinks! In order to make things tasty, but easy, I've decided that a delicious spiked punch would be the way to go.

I just found this beautiful Rudi pitcher from notNeutral ($22.40 on sale from $28!), but now I'll need to come up with a great spiked punch recipe, cups, garnishes, napkins, etc. So help me out and let's all go find some fantastic recipes and accessories! Be sure to come back and let us all know what you discover out there or just tag your recipes and Yum Market finds with "Office Party Punch."

Post your recipe ideas in our new recipe database.

To add things to the Yum Market (which is like Fab Finding), just add this link to your browser's favorites: Save to TeamSugar

For a more detailed explanation of bookmarks (thanks geeksugar!) click here.

Happy Hour: Sparkling Shiraz Punch

partysugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0800

When I saw this recipe in the December issue of Martha Stewart Living, I went a little crazy. With it's vibrant hue, fizzy texture, and glamorous ingredients, I knew it was the perfect crowd-pleasing cocktail for the holidays. Last weekend at an intimate house party, I finally had the chance to make it.

This delicious concoction is everything I thought it would be and more. It's not too potent and subtly sweet. The mint garnish is a pretty, festive finish - don't skip this step, my guests were really impressed! Start looking for the sparkling Shiraz a couple of days before you plan on making it.

Although they sell it at Bevmo, my local store was out and I ended up spending my Saturday afternoon on a frantic sparkling Shiraz hunt. The search was well worth it, though, because this concoction is one of my new favorites. To serve the punch at your holiday party, read more.

Sparkling Shiraz Punch
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

15 mint sprigs
1 ounce whipping-quality pasteurized egg white, lightly beaten
1 cup superfine sugar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6 lemons)
2 bottles sparkling Shiraz
3 liters club soda
1 1/2 cups St. Germain Elderflower liqueur

Directions

Brush mint with egg white. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar, and let dry on a wire rack.
Mix lemon juice and remaining sugar in a large punch bowl, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Add Shiraz, club soda, and liqueur. Serve with ice, and garnish with sugared mint sprigs.

Serves 15.

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Happy Hour: Baptist Punch

YumSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:28:39 -0800

This past weekend I found myself standing by the punch bowl at a neighbor's party. I didn't know too many folks there, so I found comfort in the shimmering peach-colored liquid. I knew it was a spiked punch, but it didn't taste too strong, so I downed more than a few glasses. A little bit later, and just a tad lot tipsy, I finally asked what was in the punch. My neighbor told me that it was his version of "Baptist Punch" and that it contained cranberry, pineapple, and orange juice. Knowing that all of those ingredients were not the ones that got me tipsy, I asked what else was in it and he said: Everclear.

Everclear is a type of grain alcohol that contains around 95 percent alcohol - most liquors contain around 40 percent - although it is sold in a 75.5 percent blend as well . . . I should also mention that the 95 percent mix is illegal to purchase in many US states, including here in California. It's also worth noting that Everclear is difficult to detect as it's relatively flavorless and doesn't smell very strong. My neighbor, who had it specially imported from another state, made sure to mention that Everclear's nondetectable characteristics was the other reason the concoction was called "Baptist Punch." This way no one knows that you've been drinking.

To get the recipe for both a nonalcoholic and alcoholic version of Baptist Punch, read more

Baptist Punch
From YumSugar's Neighbor
1 part cranberry juice
2 part orange juice
1 part pineapple juice
* Everclear

He wouldn't give me his exact measurements, but said "not to go crazy" with the Everclear. Or "go crazy" after all, it is the holiday season.

I might add that several folks enjoyed the punch without any alcohol added. They also thought it was delicious. Just don't get the batches mixed up!

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Off to Market Recap: Office Party Punch

YumSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 12:23:13 -0800

Last week I told you that my office is getting ready for our holiday party and is placing me in charge of doing the drinks for the event. Instead of spending the whole night mixing up specialty cocktails, I plan on making a spiked punch and to serve it in this festive pitcher. Then I asked you to find a punch recipe and all the necessary extras for serving it. To view all of the scrumptious stuff found for this Off to Market mission check out the Office Party Punch section of the Yum Market

Learn how to put things in the Yum Market and how to submit recipes

Thanks to all of the readers who participated in the challenge! Here are my top picks:

Recipe: Rubialala found this fruity Champagne punch recipe that is the prettiest sunset color. For the recipe and to see the rest of my choices, read more

Champagne Punch
From Sandra Lee

1 can (20-ounce) crushed pineapple in heavy syrup
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup maraschino cherry juice
1 cup dark rum
1/2 cup brandy
1 bottle (750 ml) chilled inexpensive Brut Champagne

In a large punch bowl or pitcher, stir pineapple, lemon juice, cherry juice, rum, and brandy to blend.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Add Champagne just before serving.

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Glasses: I love these tall skinny glasses that Sugar reader bjornwinner discovered. They are designed to stop condensation - making a coaster totally unnecessary. The condensation clings to the rounded underbelly of the glass and the beads of moisture create a delicate optical illusion perfect to highlight the attractive color of the punch.

Napkins: Plumparty is one of my go to sites for inexpensive yet fantastic party extras and that is where rubialala stumbled upon these candy cane colored napkins. I'll hand coworkers a napkin when I hand them their punch glass.

CasaSugar's Flaming Tongs of Fire Punch

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:00:00 -0800

Every year CasaSugar and her sweetie throw a big, holiday party called a Feuerzangenbowle. The place is well decorated with homemade-snowflake chandeliers, but the highlight of the party is the actual Feuerzangenbowle - German for "tongs of fire punch" - which contains fruity and mulled wine and a flaming rum. A sugar cone is soaked in rum and placed above the punch. It is then lit and the flaming sugar drips into the holiday wine. It's definitely a festive and unique way to ring in the holidays!

This photo was taken before the cone was lit, but if you'd like to see photos of it aflame, as well as get the recipe and techniques on how to make the Tongs of Fire Punch at home, read more.

Recipe and story from our very own CasaSugar

On Saturday, my fiance and I hosted a Feuerzangenbowle holiday party. (It's pronounced, approximately, foy-etz-ong-ah-bowl-ah.) Feuerzangenbowle (German for "tongs of fire punch") is a traditional fruity and mulled wine finished with flaming rum. The Zuckerhut (sugar cone) is soaked in Barcardi 151, and then lit so that the flaming goodness drips into the heady and seasonal brew. The lighting of the punch serves as a particularly festive kickoff to a cozy little holiday gathering. During the party, four different Zuckerhuts were lit, and my fiance would chant a little incantation before each lighting (this actually is just lyrics to a Tool song he recites in German, but it sounds very old-worldly for those of us who don't speak German).

My fiance and I are foodies, and he is an amazing cook. He went all out for the party-on Friday night he was up until 3 a.m. grilling eggplant, peppers, portabella mushroom, and squash. He also made three pounds of gravlax, which is raw salmon that's cured in salt, brown sugar, and spices over many days. He also made an amazing pumpkin dip. We bought a bunch of cheeses, cold cuts, and German appetizers from the local European deli The Junket, and bought stinky goat cheeses and delicious breads from The Cheese Board. We also served Egyptian dukkah spices with olive oil and bread, quince paste with Manchego, and ridiculous Christmas cookies from Neldham's, Oakland's Scandinavian bakery. One friend brought homemade Pfeffernusse cookies, other friends brought cakes, savory dips, and more delicious offerings.

And I was so busy socializing I forgot to eat!

We put out a lot of holiday decorations, many of which I made, and I'll post about these on Casa, and moved around the furniture to allow for the numerous guests who filtered through the house (and the multiple children who were found under tables, on tables, or behind tables depending on the time of the night).

All in all, it was a fun party, and I was happy to have some Sugar friends show up and enjoy the festivities! I definitely recommend the "Christmas in a cup" punch.

For the recipe for the punch, just .

Ingredients:
Bowle/Punch
3 bottles of red wine (2-3 liters total)
2 cinnamon sticks
cardamom
allspice
1-2 oranges
1-2 lemons
5 cloves

Zuckerhut
A German Zuckerhut (sugar cone)

Zuckerhut/Sugar Cone
1 German sugar cone/loaf*
1 bottle of rum

Directions:
1. In a large pot or kettle filled with red wine, add cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and allspice. Cut up the oranges and lemons (optional: make peel spirals), crush fruit to release the juice, and add to the punch along with the cloves. Warm to a steaming mixture. Do not boil!
2. Place a German sugar cone (Zuckerhut, sugar loaf)* on a metal rack/screen or clamped in metal tongs above the warm punch. (Substitute sugar cubes if you can't get a Zuckerhut.) Slowly pour high-proof rum over the Zuckerhut or sugar cubes and let soak for a minute. Carefully light the Zuckerhut or sugar cubes and let the flaming sugar carmelize and drip into the punch mix. Add rum as needed to keep the flame going until the Zuckerhut process is done. Serve the punch hot in mugs or hot-tea glasses. (Note: Traditionally, Feuerzangenbowle was prepared with the Zuckerhut sitting on crossed swords atop the pot.)

*ZUCKERHUT: A German sugar cone or sugar loaf (lit. "sugar hat") is made of compressed Raffinade (refined sugar) in a cone shape. A German description of Raffinade: "Ein Zucker von höchster Reinheit und bester Qualität. Die Raffinade wird aus sehr reinen Zuckerlösungen gewonnen und entspricht hohen Ansprüchen." (A sugar of highest purity and best quality. Raffinade is made from very pure sugar solutions and meets high standards.) If you can't get the real thing, substitute sugar cubes in the recipe above.

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Happy Hour: Sugarade and TechPunch

partysugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:28:31 -0700

Last Thursday night was the PopSugar/TechCrunch party - don't worry lots more party details to come! - in Los Angeles. TechCrunch was in charge of most of the preparty planning, but it was my job to name the specialty cocktails. The two drinks were created by Lotus - the fabulously smooth, antihangover vodka - and the names were created by yours truly with the help of my stylish partner in crime, FabSugar.

Sugarade is a potent variation of lemonade with a refreshing essence of lavender. TechPunch is a punch-colored mix of pomegranate and cranberry. Both recipes are super simple and can be easily re-created in your home bar. To take a look at the recipes, read more.

Sugarade
From PartySugar and Lotus Vodka

Ingredients

2 oz. vodka (recommended: Lotus)
Lavender lemonade
Squeeze of lemon
lemon wedges

Directions
Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the vodka. Top with lemonade and fresh lemon juice. Stir to combine. Garnish with a lemon wedge, if desired. Enjoy!

Makes 1 drink.

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TechPunch
From PartySugar and Lotus Vodka

Ingredients

2 oz. Vodka (recommended: Lotus)
Pomegranate juice
Splash cranberry juice
Squeeze of Lime

Directions
Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the vodka. Top with pomegranate and cranberry juice. Stir to combine. Enjoy!

Makes 1 drink.

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Yummy Links: From Vegetarianism to Breakfast

partysugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:15:51 -0700

This week's episode of Top Chef brought to light four myths about vegetarian cooking. - Jezebel
New York City's food bloggers are playing musical chairs. - Grub Street NY
Are these 10 items really the world's scariest foods? - Concierge
Still looking for a cocktail to serve on Halloween? Make full moon punch. - Chow
A roundup of November's Thanksgiving-themed magazines. - Eat Me Daily
Top Chef Masters season two has started filming, so Angelenos be on the lookout for competing chefs. - Eater
Cod with tarragon-anchovy breadcrumbs is a delicious dinner. - Serious Eats
Learn what people around the world are eating for breakfast. - Woman's Day