This brightly colored party punch can be dressed up with an optional wreath of frozen berries and (for those who like its distinctive licorice flavor) bits of floating star anise.

Ingredients

• 1 64-ounce bottle cold cranberry juice cocktail
• 1 24-ounce bottle cold sparkling cider
• 1 liter cold ginger ale

• 1 orange, washed
• 1 16-ounce bag frozen strawberries or cranberries(optional)
• 4 or 5 pieces star anise(optional)

Instructions

1. The Basic Punch: Pour the cranberry juice (reserving 1 1/2 cups), cider, and ginger ale into a punch bowl. Halve the orange, squeezing one half of the juice into the punch. Cut the other half into slices and float them in the punch.

2. Berry Ice Ring: Arrange the berries in a ring-style gelatin mold or bundt pan that can fit inside your punch bowl. Fill the mold with water, then freeze. Unmold the ring (warm the pan with water) and place it flat side down in the punch.

3. A Hint of Anise: In a small saucepan, bring the anise and reserved cranberry juice to a simmer, then remove from the heat. Pour into a small bowl and let cool. Refrigerate until cold, then stir into the punch.

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Find more about:

• 4th of July |
• Cider |
• Cold Drinks |
• Cranberries |
• Cranberry Juice |
• Oranges |
• Party Drinks |
• Strawberries

Related Categories:

• Cool Drinks |
• Cold Drinks |
• Party Drinks |
• December/January 2004