party punches

Cheers! These delectable beverages are perfect for toasting the season.

Stir up your get-togethers with fabulous beverages. Our assortment of drinks includes something for all ages. Sparkling Holiday Punch showcases pomegranate and blood orange juice for a new twist. Eggnog is a signature of the season. Serve these delicious versions in your prettiest punch bowls, glasses, or mugs for extra glamour. Then raise your cup, and enjoy the occasion.

Classic Eggnog

MAKES ABOUT 3 QT.

PREP: 15 MIN., COOK: 45 MIN., COOL: 1 HR., CHILL: 4 HRS.

1 ½ cups sugar

12 large eggs, lightly beaten

4 cups half-and-half

4 cups milk

¼ tsp. salt

½ cup bourbon

½ cup brandy

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups whipping cream

½ tsp. ground nutmeg

1. Gradually add sugar to eggs in a large glass mixing bowl, whisking until blended. Set aside.

2. Stir together half-and-half, milk, and salt in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 12 to 15 minutes or just until mixture begins to bubble around edges of pan. (Do not boil.)

3. Gradually stir half of hot milk mixture into egg mixture. Stir egg mixture into remaining hot milk mixture in Dutch oven.

4. Cook mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture slightly thickens and a thermometer registers 160° (about 25 to 30 minutes). Remove from heat, and stir 1 minute. Pour mixture through a fine wiremesh strainer into a serving bowl. Stir in bourbon, brandy, and vanilla; let cool 1 hour. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.

5. Beat whipping cream at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into chilled eggnog, and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Eggnog With Coffee and Irish Cream: Prepare recipe as directed, substituting 4 ½ cups chilled strongly brewed coffee and 3 cups Irish cream liqueur for bourbon and brandy. Prepare and fold in 2 cups whipped cream as directed. Omit nutmeg. Garnish with additional whipped cream and thin chocolate mints, if desired. Makes about 1 gal. Note: For testing purposes only, we used Baileys The Original Irish Cream and Andes Creme de Menthe Thins for chocolate mints.

Sparkling Holiday Punch

MAKES 7 CUPS

PREP: 5 MIN., CHILL: 2 HRS.

This recipe uses blood oranges, which are available December through May in the produce section of the supermarket; the juice may be found in the refrigerated section year-round.

3 ½ cups blood orange juice, chilled*

1 cup pomegranate juice, chilled

1 liter ginger ale, chilled

1 orange, thinly sliced

1. Stir together blood orange juice and pomegranate juice in a large serving bowl. Chill at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

2. Stir in ginger ale and orange slices. Serve immediately.

* Sweet red grapefruit juice may be substituted.

Pomegranate-Orange Punch: Prepare recipe as directed, omitting ginger ale. Stir in ¾ cup chilled vodka, 1 cup chilled orange liqueur, and orange slices before serving. Makes 6 ¾ cups.

For More Info

40 fabulous party desserts for the holidays:

southernliving.com/december2006

Stock Up For Easy Entertaining

During the busy Christmas season, be sure to keep the following drinks on hand for any impromptu gatherings.

* ginger ale

* cranberry juice cocktail

* club soda

* frozen juice concentrates

* sparkling apple cider

* tea

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Dec 2006
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved