This punch is a perfect drink for any celebration, whether it’s a birthday, a holiday, or a casual gathering. It’s easy to make, yet elegant and impressive. It combines the tangy and sweet flavors of pink grapefruit and white cranberry juice, with the fizz and sparkle of champagne or sparkling wine. It’s also garnished with fresh mint leaves and sliced grapefruit, adding a touch of color and freshness. This punch is sure to please everyone, as it’s light, refreshing, and delicious.
Preparation and Cooking Times
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Servings and Serving Size
- Servings: 12
- Serving Size: 250 ml
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 120
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Potassium: 150 mg
- Vitamin C: 40 mg
Ingredients
- 1.5 liters of pink grapefruit juice (1500 g)
- 1 liter of white cranberry juice (1000 g)
- 750 ml of champagne or sparkling wine, chilled (750 g)
- 1/4 cup of sugar (50 g)
- 1/4 cup of water (60 g)
- 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves (10 g)
- 1 pink grapefruit, thinly sliced (300 g)
Method of Preparation
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly. This is the simple syrup.
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the pink grapefruit juice and the white cranberry juice. Stir in the simple syrup and taste for sweetness. Adjust the amount of sugar if needed.
- Refrigerate the punch until ready to serve, or up to 4 hours.
- When ready to serve, add the champagne or sparkling wine and stir gently. Pour the punch into glasses and garnish with mint leaves and grapefruit slices. Enjoy!
Tips for Culinary Success
- You can use any kind of champagne or sparkling wine for this punch, depending on your preference and budget. However, avoid using very dry or very sweet varieties, as they may alter the balance of flavors. A medium-dry or brut champagne or sparkling wine works best for this recipe.
- You can also make this punch alcohol-free by substituting the champagne or sparkling wine with sparkling water or ginger ale. It will still be fizzy and tasty, but less potent.
- You can make the simple syrup ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also use store-bought simple syrup if you prefer.
- You can use fresh or bottled pink grapefruit juice for this punch, but make sure it’s 100% juice and not a concentrate or a blend. Fresh juice will have a more natural and vibrant flavor, while bottled juice will be more convenient and consistent.
- You can use regular or light white cranberry juice for this punch, depending on your preference and availability. Light juice will have fewer calories and less sugar, but regular juice will have a richer and sweeter flavor.
Anticipated FAQs
Q: How do I slice the grapefruit thinly and evenly?
A: To slice the grapefruit, first cut off the top and bottom of the fruit, exposing the flesh. Then, use a sharp knife to cut off the peel and the white pith, following the curve of the fruit. Next, lay the fruit on its side and cut it into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick. You can also use a mandoline slicer to make the process easier and faster.
Q: How do I prevent the punch from going flat?
A: To prevent the punch from losing its fizz, do not add the champagne or sparkling wine until right before serving. Also, keep the punch and the champagne or sparkling wine chilled until ready to use, as cold liquids retain more carbonation than warm ones. Finally, do not stir the punch too vigorously, as this will release more bubbles.
Q: How do I scale up or down the recipe?
A: To scale up or down the recipe, simply multiply or divide all the ingredients by the same factor. For example, if you want to make half the amount of punch, use half the amount of each ingredient. If you want to make double the amount of punch, use double the amount of each ingredient. However, keep in mind that the punch may not fit in one pitcher or punch bowl, so you may need to use multiple containers or serve it in batches.