I had a little dilemma. I needed to make punch for 150 people...and transport it...and keep it cold for several hours. I decided cute little bottles would be the way to go and thought, "
the internets will have a great make-ahead recipe." I was not worried.
I was not worried until every "make-ahead" punch recipe I found included the last minute instructions of adding ginger ale. That's not make-ahead...that's "almost make-ahead." Plus, can you just picture me trying to pour just a bit of ginger ale to all of those little bottles? I sensed disaster.
So, here is the recipe I used. An amalgam and adaptation of many punch recipes minus the last-minute ginger ale/soft drink component.
PS...I apologize for the lack of pretty pictures. This was our first school function and I didn't want to be known as the crazy blog mom
just yet. ;)
Make-Ahead Punch
{each batch fills approximately 18 bottles}
2 cups sugar
1 cup bottled lemon juice
1 cup hot water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 quart water
46 oz. can pineapple juice
In a large container, stir together the sugar, lemon juice, and hot water until the sugar is dissolved. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir. Chill for several hours. Stir (or shake, if bottled) before serving.
*if you wanted to add a splash of amaretto for an adult punch...it's not a bad thing. not bad at all.*
Sources:
This punch looks so refreshing and your presentation is amazing! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute punch idea, Bridget. Very sweet! xo Diana
ReplyDeletePedimos desculpa mas é apenas para divulgar. Um casal, a crise, poupanças e histórias de quem vive a crise como muitos outros, mas onde a poupança é o melhor remédio. Pode passar a mensagem…? Obrigado!
ReplyDeletehttp://ocarteiravazia.blogspot.com/
I was just looking for a fun (non-pop) drink idea for my daughter's birthday. This one looks great and I love the bottles!
ReplyDeleteJust wondering.. is there a reason that you have to add the ginger ale just before serving, or could you add it ahead of time too? I am just curious if you know why it's like that.
ReplyDeleteIt's carbonated. It goes flat after awhile.
DeleteThis looks like a make-ahead drink for any day to me!
ReplyDeleteAnd so cute!
Love this punch! Such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteYou are just the party girl, aren't you? I love this, Bridget. Happy Monday, sweet friend!
ReplyDeletelooks delicious and pretty too :)
ReplyDeleteOh how pretty! Where did you get all of the sweet little bottles? Your school and the kids are going to LOVE when you help out at school functions this year. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteAw, Bridget! The adorable little bottles and cute straws were a huge hit! THANK YOU for taking time to find us a tasty drink and presenting it in a such cute way. My dear, I nominate you "Chair for All School Functions"!
ReplyDeleteBev :)
I had a similiar dilemna last year being the VP of hospitality for my son's choir in high school. We were hosting a reception after a 2 hr choir concert and I had to make punch and keep it cold for 200-300 people so no little cute bottles would work for us. I made the punch and froze some of it in ice rings and kept them cold in a cooler during the concert and then poured the ginger ale over them in the punch bowl. Easy peasy!
ReplyDeleteSaving this idea for a "rainy day" :) Anything I can make ahead when having a party is alright by me!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this!! I am always so nervous about busting out the big camera in public -- I hate being stared at!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun make ahead punch!! Love the bottle presentation, Bridget!
ReplyDeleteWho needs ginger ale when you have almond and vanilla extract in the mix? Not I, though I'm really interested in adding the Amaretto (no surprise there)! No need to apologize for the photos, there are great! A can of Pineapple Juice and a plastic squeeze container of lemon juice never looked to so and your shot of all the punch bottles is lovely.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you posted the links to your suppliers. I was curious as to where you located those square bottles.
For heaven's sake! I can't type, either that or I can't read.
ReplyDeleteThe word "there" should be "they" and ...never looked to so...should be ...never looked so good
My apologies. Please feel free to correct and save me from the wrath of the internet spelling and grammar squads!
P.S. I've read this over more than a few times, if there's any typos I'm blaming it on my dog :)
This make-ahead sounds wonderful. What is the purpose of adding the vanilla extract and almond extract in a fruit-type punch? I have a kiddo who's allergic to nuts, so I can't use the almond extract. Can I simply omit? Or should I add another extract.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Pinning!
ReplyDeleteOhhh Dear!!!! This punch was absolutely delicious and the presentation was adorable!! the kids love it and so do I !!!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are always great!!!
So cute!
ReplyDeletecrazy blog mom?! haha.........Allison is a senior this year and half her class knows what I do and think it's so cool! haha...... they all talk about TidyMom lol
ReplyDeleteThey actually just had to do demonstrations in speech class and 2 of the girls did "TidyMom recipes" kids are so funn!!
LOVE the punch and the little bottle are adorable!!
Have to save this!!! Cute!
ReplyDeletep.s. best vanilla ever...
Awesome drink! Gotta send you my husband's Bushwacker recipe. Basically one part frappiccino and one part...well all the best liquors under the sun
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post!
ReplyDeleteIt looks attractive and delicious.