Christmas Punch Recipe

Ingredients

• ½ cup pomegranate arils
• 2 to 3 sprigs fresh mint (leaves only)
• 1 orange (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 to 4 coins of fresh ginger (1/4 -inch slices)
• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups unsweetened cranberry juice
• 2 cups unsweetened pomegranate juice
• 1 orange (thinly sliced)
• Ice (as needed)
• Club Soda (as needed)

Steps

1. 1

   Fill two ice cube trays with water, then divide the festive ice ingredients among them. Freeze until solid.

2. 2

   Once ice is solid, make the simple syrup by combining sugar, water, cinnamon sticks and fresh ginger in a small saucepan. Set over medium low heat and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and cover the pot and let it infuse for at least 30 minutes. Once infused, strain the syrup into a clean bowl (discard cinnamon and ginger) and chill in the fridge until cool.

3. 3

   When ready to serve, in a large punch bowl, combine chilled simple syrup, orange juice, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice and orange slices. Add festive ice cubes.

4. 4

   Set out additional ice and club soda on the side. Serve punch individually over ice with a splash of club soda, if desired.