Sparkling Summer Punch

Southern Living, Jun 2003 by Poellnitz, Vicki A

Dress up this fruity beverage with an elegant, easy-to-make ice ring.

Across the South, punch is served for almost every occasion: church socials, ladies luncheons, and most certainly at weddings. Here, we offer a reader's punch recipe perfect for any celebration. Garnish with an exquisite ice ring made with assorted fruits, and adorn the bowl with a ring of fragrant flowers for a beautiful presentation. If you're planning a party for a happy couple or preparing for your own wedding, pick up the Summer 2003 issue of Southern Living Weddings, on newsstands at the end of June, for more great tips.

CHAMPAGNE PUNCH

MAKES 20 SERVINGS

PREP: 15 MIN., CHILL: 8 HRS.

2 cups cranberry juice cocktail

1 (12-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 cup lemon juice

1 cup sugar

1(375-milliliter) bottle Sauterne or dessert wine*

2(750-milliliter) bottles Champagne, chilled

Ice Ring

COMBINE first 4 ingredients, stirring well; chill at least 8 hours.

POUR juice mixture into a chilled punch bowl. Gently stir in Sauterne and Champagne just before serving. Float Ice Ring, fruit side up, in punch. *Either (375 ml) Bonny Doon, Vin de Glaciere or (375 ml) Quady, Electra may be substituted.

Ice Ring:

PREP: 10 MIN., FREEZE: 10 HRS.

1 1/2 to 2 cups orange juice

1/2 cup cranberry juice

6 to 8 seedless red grape clusters

10 to 12 orange slices, seeded

8 to 10 whole strawberries

Fresh mint sprigs

COMBINE juices. Line bottom of 6-cup ring mold with grape clusters and half of orange slices, using grapes to stand orange slices vertically. Pour a thin layer of juices into mold, and freeze until firm, about 2 hours. Arrange remaining orange slices, strawberries, and mint sprigs around grapes. Pour remaining juices around fruit almost to top of mold. Freeze 8 hours.

UNMOLD by dipping bottom half of mold in several inches of warm water 5 to 10 seconds to loosen; repeating as necessary to release ring. (Do not immerse entire mold in water.) Invert ring onto plate.

BOOTS ABERCROMBIE

HOOVER, ALABAMA

EASY ICE RING: Combine juices. Fill bottom of 6-cup ring mold with 2 cups crushed ice. Lay grape clusters over ice. Arrange orange slices, strawberries, and fresh mint sprigs around grapes. Pour juices around fruit almost to top of mold. Freeze 8 hours or until firm. Prep: 10 min., Freeze: 8 hrs.