Creating A Delicious Wedding Punch: A Simple Guide

A wedding is a memorable occasion, and a good punch can make it even more special. Whether you're planning a summer outdoor wedding or an intimate, cosy reception, a good punch can be the highlight of the celebration. It's not just about the taste; it's also about the presentation and the overall experience. A good punch can be a conversation starter, a refreshing break from the festivities, or even a fun activity for guests to enjoy.

How to make a simple, non-alcoholic wedding punch

A good wedding punch should be easy to make, tasty, and look the part. Here is a simple, non-alcoholic wedding punch recipe that ticks all the boxes.

Ingredients:

• Cranberry juice cocktail
• Pineapple juice
• Ginger ale
• Sugar (optional)
• Fruit and fresh mint leaves to garnish (optional)

Method:

First, combine the cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and sugar (if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved to make a punch concentrate. Take a couple of cups of the concentrate and pour it into ice cube trays or a ring-shaped ice mould and freeze. This will help keep the punch cold without diluting it.

Then, when you're ready to serve, mix the rest of the refrigerated concentrate with ginger ale in a punch bowl. Add the frozen concentrate on top to keep the punch cold. Garnish with fruit slices and berries, or a combination of your choice.

Tips:

• You can use sparkling water or club soda instead of ginger ale.
• To make an ice ring, freeze some of the juices in a bundt pan.
• For a pretty presentation, add sliced oranges and strawberries to the punch. They will float on top.
• Avoid using small berries like blueberries or blackberries if serving the punch from a drink dispenser, as they can sink and clog the spout.
• For a non-alcoholic Christmas punch, add a few drops of red food colouring to the mixture.

Variations:

• For a citrusy punch, combine lemonade and pineapple juice with rainbow sherbet.
• For a mock champagne punch, mix ginger ale, pineapple juice, and white grape juice.
• For a sparkling cranberry punch, combine cranberry juice, lemonade concentrate, and sparkling water, garnished with citrus fruits.
• For an almond wedding punch, add boiling water, sugar, strawberry or raspberry Jell-o, pineapple juice, almond extract, and cold water. Freeze overnight and let it thaw to a slushy consistency before serving.

So there you have it—a simple, non-alcoholic wedding punch that will impress your guests and keep the celebrations flowing!

How to make a sparkling non-alcoholic wedding punch

A good wedding punch is simple to make and tastes amazing. This sparkling non-alcoholic wedding punch recipe is a great option for your special day and can be made ahead of time. It is a simple combination of fruit juices and sparkling water or ginger ale, resulting in a delicious and refreshing drink for your guests. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you create this delightful punch:

Ingredients:

• Cran-raspberry juice
• Fruit punch (non-Hawaiian)
• Pineapple-orange juice (or plain pineapple juice)
• Ginger ale (optional)
• Sparkling water or carbonated water
• Fresh fruit for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Juice Selection and Combination: The key to a well-balanced punch is the right combination of juices. For this recipe, you will need cran-raspberry juice, fruit punch, and pineapple-orange juice. It is important to avoid Hawaiian punch as its flavour can overpower the other juices. Combine two parts of cran-raspberry juice with two parts of fruit punch and one part of pineapple-orange juice. Adjust the quantities based on the number of guests.
• Add Sparkling Water or Ginger Ale: To give your punch a delightful fizz, add chilled sparkling water or ginger ale. For every gallon of juice, add one to one and a half litres of sparkling water or ginger ale, depending on how fizzy you want it. If you prefer a stronger ginger flavour, go with ginger ale; otherwise, sparkling water is a great option to keep it simple.
• Garnish with Fresh Fruit: Although optional, adding fresh fruit to your punch can enhance its presentation. Slice some oranges and strawberries and let them float on top of the punch. You can also add frozen strawberries if fresh ones are not available. Avoid small berries like blueberries or blackberries if serving from a drink dispenser, as they can clog the spout.
• Chill and Serve: It is best to chill the punch before serving. You can make it ahead of time and refrigerate it until needed. If you want to keep the punch cold during the event, create ice cubes from some of the punch mixture and add them to the punch bowl or pitcher. Alternatively, you can freeze the punch mixture in a bundt pan to make an ice ring.

How to make a wedding punch with added alcohol

How to Make a Wedding Punch with Alcohol

Ingredients

• Cranberry juice
• Pineapple juice
• Ginger ale
• Orange juice
• Apple juice
• 7UP
• Orange juice concentrate
• Sweetened pineapple juice
• Lemon juice
• Sugar
• Alcohol of choice
• Ice

Method

There are many ways to make a wedding punch with alcohol. Here is one suggestion:

Firstly, decide on the type of alcohol you want to add. Vodka is a popular choice for punches, but you could also use rum, gin, or a combination of these.

Next, you will need to create a base for your punch. For a simple, non-alcoholic base, mix equal parts cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and ginger ale. You can also add a small amount of sugar to taste if you prefer a sweeter punch. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. This will be your punch concentrate.

Now, you can add your alcohol. A good rule of thumb is to add one cup of alcohol for every bottle of juice used. However, you may want to add a little at a time and taste as you go to ensure the alcohol doesn't overpower the other flavours.

To add a bit of flair to your punch, you can create a decorative ice ring or ice cubes using some of the punch concentrate. Simply pour it into a ring mold or ice cube tray and freeze. You can also add slices of orange, lemon, lime, or other fruits to the punch for garnish.

Finally, when you are ready to serve, combine the punch concentrate with chilled ginger ale in a punch bowl and add your ice ring or ice cubes. Give it a final stir, and your alcoholic wedding punch is ready to be enjoyed!

Tips

• If you are making a large batch of punch, it is a good idea to prepare the concentrate ahead of time and store it in the fridge until needed.
• To keep the punch cold during your event, you can either add ice or make and freeze some of the punch in advance and use it as ice cubes.
• Be mindful of the strength of the punch, and always serve alcohol responsibly.

How to make a wedding punch in advance

Making a wedding punch in advance is a great way to save time on the day of the wedding. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious wedding punch ahead of time:

Ingredients:

• Cranberry juice cocktail
• Orange juice
• Apple juice
• 7UP or ginger ale
• Oranges for garnish (optional)
• Orange sherbet (optional)

Alternatively, you can use the following ingredients for a different flavour profile:

• Strawberry or raspberry Jello
• Pineapple juice
• Almond extract
• Sugar
• Water

Instructions:

• Chill all the juices and the 7UP or ginger ale.
• Slowly pour the 7UP or ginger ale into the chilled juices.
• If you want to add a festive touch, garnish the punch with orange slices or add orange sherbet.
• For a pretty presentation, you can also freeze the juices into ice cubes or an ice ring to keep the punch cold without diluting it.
• If you're making the punch ahead of time, simply combine all the ingredients and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• If you want to add some fizz, leave out the ginger ale and add it just before serving.

For a slushy punch that can be made in advance, try this recipe:

• Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and add sugar, stirring until dissolved.
• Remove from heat and add a packet of strawberry or raspberry Jello, stirring until dissolved.
• In a large plastic container, mix pineapple juice, almond extract, and cold water.
• Slowly add the hot water mixture to the large container and stir.
• Cover and freeze overnight.
• Remove from the freezer and let it thaw to a slushy consistency before serving.

This slushy punch is perfect for summer weddings and can be made well in advance, saving you time and stress on the big day!

How to serve a wedding punch

Now that you've made your wedding punch, it's time to serve it! Here's how to do it:

Prepare the Punch Bowl

Firstly, you'll need to choose a punch bowl. You can go for a classic, elegant glass bowl, or something more fun and colourful. If you're worried about breakages, there are also plastic options available. Make sure your bowl is clean and dry before you begin.

Add Ice

Adding ice to your punch will keep it chilled throughout the event. You can use regular ice cubes, or get creative and freeze some of the punch itself in an ice cube tray or ring mould beforehand. This will help to keep your punch cold without diluting it. You could also freeze some fruit in your ice cubes for a pretty, colourful touch.

Mix Your Punch

If you've made a concentrated punch, now is the time to mix it with the rest of the ingredients. Follow your recipe's instructions, and be sure to give it a good stir so that all the flavours are well combined.

Garnish

Adding a garnish to your punch will make it look extra special. You can use slices of citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons or limes, or go for something a little different like strawberries, apples, pears or even frozen cranberries. Just be sure to avoid small berries if you're serving from a drink dispenser, as these can clog up the spout.

Serve

Now it's time to serve your punch! Offer it to your guests, or place it in a convenient location where people can help themselves. If you're worried about spills, you could also provide some coasters or a tablecloth to protect surfaces.

Enjoy!

Your punch is now ready to be enjoyed by your guests. This refreshing drink is the perfect way to celebrate your special day, so relax and raise a glass!

Frequently asked questions