RECIPE: POMEGRANATE RASPBERRY CHRISTMAS PUNCH

Growing up, we always had a sherbet punch for holidays and birthdays. It was simple. The only ingredients were orange or lime sherbet and chilled ginger ale, but it was served in a punchbowl making it seem so elegant. Here’s an updated, boozy version of that old school holiday favorite, make fresh and new with raspberry and rosemary.

 POMEGRANATE RASPBERRY CHRISTMAS PUNCH

INGREDIENTS

2 cups pomegranate juice

1 quart white cranberry juice

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 cups Chambord liqueur

1 (750 ml) bottle raspberry vodka

3-4 pints raspberry sorbet or sherbet

2-3 quarts ginger ale, chilled

5 sprigs fresh rosemary

2 cups frozen raspberries for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Combine the first five ingredients in a large container. Chill thoroughly, at least 2 hours. Just before serving, pour into a punchbowl. Add 2 bottles ginger ale or add more to your taste. Scoop large scoops of the sorbet until you have enough to fill the surface. Save some sorbet and ginger ale to add in as it melts. Add fresh rosemary and the frozen raspberries for garnish.

RECIPE: ICE CREAM "CHRISSY" COCKTAIL

Made famous by Ruth Chris Steakhouse, the Chrissy is an ice cream drink that has become a popular signature cocktail or dessert cocktail for wedding receptions. Using only 3 ingredients, it is super easy to make and is a Christmas tradition at my house. These photos are from a wedding I produced in December of 2020 and guests loved it. (I made the gingerbread men, too) Hope it becomes a Christmas tradition at your house!

CHRISSY ICE CREAM COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS
2 ounces Frangelico (hazelnut) liqueur

1 ounce vodka

Vanilla ice cream, slightly softened—2 medium scoops is about right.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place the Frangelico and vodka in a blender . (You can use an immersion blender or a large cocktail shaker. If you use a shaker, you’ll need to add a handful of ice.)

Add the ice cream and blend until it is creamy and smooth-like a milk shake.

Serve in a chilled, stemmed glass. Makes one cocktail.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL RECIPES FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE

There are lots of cocktails featuring Champagne and I happen to love all of them:)

For those of you with a love for the bubbly and something to celebrate, check out these Champagne cocktails, all perfect for that toast to the New Year!

CLASSIC CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Soak a sugar cube in Angostura bitters. Drop the cube and a twist of lemon in a Champagne flute. Top with chilled Champagne.

MIMOSA

The perfect way to start out the New Year, a Mimosa is a must for your brunch menu. Make them by the glass for a small gathering or by the pitcher for a crowd. For one: add a splash of orange liqueur like Grand Marnier to each glass. Fill 2/3 with chilled fresh orange juice. Top with chilled Champagne. For a pitcher use a 1:5 ratio of orange juice to Champagne and stir in 1/4 cup orange liqueur. The orange liqueur is totally optional but oh so much better with than without.

CHAMBORD CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

Made with Chambord black raspberry liqueur and Champagne, this cocktail is as pretty and festive as it is delicious! I featured this one for New Year's last year and everyone loved it! Drop a big, juicy blackberry or raspberry into the bottom of each glass and add a shot of Chambord. Chill the Champagne and top each glass as guests arrive.

THE KING'S PEACH

I created this Champagne cocktail named for the Oscar winning film The King's Speech for an Oscar party. Use fresh or frozen peaches and peach nectar... top with a little Champagne.

BELLINI

Made with peach puree or peach syrup and Prosecco, this refreshing Italian version of the Mimosa is delish! To make it easy, I always just use peach nectar you can find in the International aisle of the store and top with Prosecco which is Italian sparkling wine. Use one ounce peach nectar to four ounces Prosecco. 

KIR ROYALE

Another beauty, this classic cocktail is simply an ounce of Kir (Creme de Cassis) topped with Chilled Champagne.

POINSETTIA

A classic Southern holiday punch, this recipe is easy to make in a punchbowl for a crowd: One chilled bottle of orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Triple Sec, four bottles of chilled Champagne, and 1 large bottle of cranberry juice.

FRENCH 75

This classic cocktail is one of my favorites any time of the year. In a cocktail shaker with ice add: 1 ounce gin, 1/2 ounce each of simple syrup and lemon juice. Shake until well chilled. Pour into a chilled flute. Top with chilled Champagne and garnish with a twist.