COMPANION PUNCH

Name: COMPANION PUNCH
Ingredients: 1 1/4 pints Lemon juice (Freshly squeezed recommended.); 2 pints Gum syrup (A rich simple syrup containing gum arabic for texture. Can substitute with rich simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water).); 3/4 pint Orange juice (Freshly squeezed recommended.); 1 1/4 pints Brandy; 3 quarts Sweet Catawba wine (Part of the '6 quarts equal parts' instruction. If unavailable, use a sweet Riesling or similar sweet white wine.); 3 quarts Dry Catawba wine (Part of the '6 quarts equal parts' instruction. If unavailable, use a dry white wine or dry Rosé.); 2 quarts Carbonated water (Club soda or seltzer water.); 1 block Ice (A large block melts slower than cubes, preventing dilution.); 3 cups Mixed fruit (Sliced oranges, lemons, berries, or pineapple for garnish. Quantity estimated for a large punch bowl.)

This elegant large-batch punch serves a crowd of fifty with a sophisticated blend of American Catawba wines and citrus. A rich base of sweet and dry wines is fortified with brandy and balanced by fresh lemon and orange juices, while gum syrup adds a silky texture to the mix. Finished with sparkling carbonated water and dressed with fresh fruit over a large block of ice, this refreshing beverage offers a crisp, effervescent taste perfect for receptions.

Ingredients

1 1/4 pints Lemon juice (Freshly squeezed recommended.)
2 pints Gum syrup (A rich simple syrup containing gum arabic for texture. Can substitute with rich simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water).)
3/4 pint Orange juice (Freshly squeezed recommended.)
1 1/4 pints Brandy
3 quarts Sweet Catawba wine (Part of the '6 quarts equal parts' instruction. If unavailable, use a sweet Riesling or similar sweet white wine.)
3 quarts Dry Catawba wine (Part of the '6 quarts equal parts' instruction. If unavailable, use a dry white wine or dry Rosé.)
2 quarts Carbonated water (Club soda or seltzer water.)
1 block Ice (A large block melts slower than cubes, preventing dilution.)
3 cups Mixed fruit (Sliced oranges, lemons, berries, or pineapple for garnish. Quantity estimated for a large punch bowl.)

Instructions

1Into a large punch bowl (with a capacity of at least 3 gallons), pour the lemon juice, gum syrup, orange juice, and brandy.
2Add the sweet Catawba wine, dry Catawba wine, and carbonated water to the bowl. Stir the mixture well until thoroughly combined.
3Place a large block of ice in the center of the bowl. Dress the ice with the sliced mixed fruit for garnish. Serve immediately using a ladle into punch glasses.