Christmas is the season of conviviality, toasts, and warm drinks that taste of celebration. Among the recipes that most evoke this spirit is Christmas punch, a preparation with ancient roots that still manages to bring warmth, color, and sharing to the table today. For my Christmas punch, I chose to use the red grape juice available among the solidarity gifts of Porta Aperta, the same project I have already talked about in the article dedicated to shrimp risotto and raspberry powder. A simple but precious ingredient that enriches the recipe with meaning and flavor, transforming a daily gesture into an act of solidarity.
The punch is a drink that can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic and is traditionally made with five basic ingredients: alcohol (often rum), sugar, citrus like lemon or lime, water, and spices or tea. Not coincidentally, the name probably derives from the Sanskrit word panch, meaning “five.” Considered the “father of all cocktails,” punch was created by English sailors in the 17th century, who brought it home from the East Indies. Its origin is fascinating: during voyages, sailors exchanged beer for local spirits and, with what they had on board – rum or arrack, sugar, lemon juice to prevent scurvy, water, and spices – they created a drink that soon conquered English ports and from there spread throughout Europe and the United States.
Traditionally served in a large bowl to share, Christmas punch has become a symbol of conviviality. It can be prepared hot or cold, in alcoholic or non-alcoholic versions, and is often served even in individual glasses today. Its strength lies precisely in its ability to adapt to tastes and occasions, maintaining its social value: it is a drink that invites sharing, bringing people together around a table to toast together.
The Christmas punch I propose is therefore not just a recipe, but an invitation to celebrate the holiday with a glass that combines tradition, taste, and solidarity. Thanks to Porta Aperta’s red grape juice, every sip becomes a gesture that warms the heart and supports those in greater need.
Here are some recipes to brighten up the Holidays.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 10 people
- Cooking methods: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 61.64 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 15.93 (g) of which sugars 15.56 (g)
- Proteins 0.50 (g)
- Fat 0.02 (g) of which saturated 0.00 (g)of which unsaturated 0.01 (g)
- Fibers 0.33 (g)
- Sodium 30.43 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 250 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for the Christmas Punch
- 4 1/4 cups grape juice (red)
- 2 cups orange juice
- 8 1/2 cups lemon soda water (lemon)
- 10 slices oranges
- as needed red currants
- as needed ice
Tools
- Bowl
Preparation of the Christmas Punch
Mix the grape and orange juices in a large pitcher.
Add the lemon-lime soda.
Add ice, orange slices, and red currants for garnish.
The Christmas punch can be served in the typical large bowl with a ladle or in individual glasses.
For an alcoholic version, you can add spirits like rum, vodka, or bourbon, according to your preferences.
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