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proud as PUNCH HINTS

The role of punch was so important to home entertaining that the expression " proud as Punch " emerged from that era when the importance of showcasing true hospitality was how one was judged. Times have changed but the return to entertaining at home has led to a rebirth of the Punch.

	Plan ahead. Decide what type of punch you want to serve. A punch for summertime would ideally be one that is both refreshing and thirst quenching. In the colder weather you might want to a more embracing and stronger tasting punch. The range of recipes is wide and some, like the version of an old classic called the Fish House Punch, is not meant for all, but rather for those who are experimenting with punches.
	Serving Estimates: Part of planning ahead includes estimating the number of servings of punch you will need. When we refer to number of servings it generally means a four-ounce serving as most punches are still served with small round punch glasses or smaller plastic cups. A lot will depend on what else you are offering your guests but the consensus on the estimated number of servings is to plan for three to four servings per guest.
	Use good ingredients! Too many hosts have used Punches as a way to use up inferior products on the assumption that nobody would notice. While that may be true to some degree, a well prepared, good quality punch will be long remembered. · Many recipes call for fruit. Where ever possible try to use fresh fruit. While decorating a punch with orange or lemon slices is a good idea where appropriate, try to avoid the temptation to load the bowl with fruit. A crowded bowl only makes it harder to serve the punch and too much fruit will muddy the punch itself.
	Cool Ingredients: Have as many of the ingredients cool or cold before you begin to make the punch
	Wait to add key ingredients: If you are preparing the punch ahead of time then plan to keep the alcohol out of the mix until half an hour before the party begins. (avoids the evaporation of the alcohol). If the recipe calls for Champagne or sparkling wine then they should also be added at the last minute for the same reason. If the recipe calls for Club Soda or Ginger Ale then keep them out of the mix until the last minute to insure the carbonation of the Punch stays active as long as possible.
	DO NOT USE ICE CUBES in the bowl. They melt far too quickly and simply end up diluting the Punch. Either buy, or create blocks of ice and add to the Punch a half-hour before the guests arrive.
	Sugar Syrup: A lot of the recipes call for the use of Sugar Syrup. Dissolve the required amount of sugar into the juices or other mixes as sugar does not mix easily with alcohol.
	Offer your guests a non-alcoholic version of the Punch. The two Punch bowls should be separated and clearly identified. It is not necessary to offer different glasses for the two types of Punch, as no one wishes to stand out.

HINT: If you are feeling creative, try using an ice mold, or try and add dimension to the ice by freezing slices of fruit in the ice.

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