Fruity,Boozy Spiced Christmas Punch

This time I am bringing out a recipe which is a favourite for me on Christmas especially at dinner when we have friends and family members over a lavishly set table.

The recipe servings here are for 2 people but if you need to make for a gathering then ideally mix everything in “cups”,heat it in a large saucepan and pour into a large jug to be poured out at serving time. Prepare the serving glasses beforehand and pour out the drink,ideally through a funnel so that the prepared rim of the glass does not get soaked.

The Punch is served warm to enhance the appetite so that people eat well and remember the day with beautiful memories around the table. I float a couple of Cranberries on top of the Punch so that it looks even more attractive and everyone gets a taste of the real fruit apart from the juice which the Punch is so generously flavoured with.

I have included 2 types of Liqueurs in the Punch – Grand Marnier : an Orange flavoured liqueur and good quality plain Rum. You can add white Rum if you want or do away with the alcohol in case you do not prefer it.

Preparation Time : 15 minutes

Cooking Time : 30 minutes

Makes : 2 servings

INGREDIENTS

For the Punch :

1/2 cup Mango Juice

1/4 cup Peach Juice

1/2 cup fresh Orange Juice

1/2 cup Cranberry Juice

3 tbsp powdered sugar

2 tbsp Rum (optional)

2 tbsp Grand Marnier (optional)

For Spice :

1 tsp Allspice Powder

1 tsp Cinnamon Powder

1/2 tsp Nutmeg (optional)

For garnish :

4 Cranberries

For the sugared glass rim :

2 tbsp powdered sugar

METHOD

Prepare the glasses :

Take the 2 tbsp powdered sugar on a plate. Dip the rim of the glasses in cranberry juice and invert them in the sugar so that the sugar sticks to the liquid. Keep aside and the sugar will set in the juice and stick to the glass rim.

Prepare the Punch :

Tie the spices in a small cheesecloth bag or a handkerchief. Mix all the juices in a large saucepan and put the bag of spices in it. Put the saucepan on the lowest heat and boil away for 30 minutes till the spices have lent their flavour to the liquid.

Add the sugar and mix well. Add both the liqueurs (if using) and mix again.Pour the Punch through a funnel into the prepared glasses and float 2 Cranberries per glass.

Serve warm.