Punch parties are a fantastic way to create an event your guests will never forget, and like the recipes themselves, these parties can take nearly any shape or form. From Tiki-themed, rum-rowdy luaus to gin socials befitting The Great Gatsby, punch parties give you virtually unlimited options for customization. Select your drink recipe first and build your theme out from there. Here are a few recipes to get you ruminating on ideas for your wedding.

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Champagne Holiday Punch

  • 1 ½ cup Bols Genever
  • ½ cup Orange Curacao
  • ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup simple syrup
  • ½ cup Champagne
  • 10 dashes Fee Bros. Aromatic Bitters
  • 8 ounces sparkling water
  • Freshly grated nutmeg

Combine Bols Genever, Orange Curacao, lemon juice and simple syrup in a punch bowl over a large ice block. Top with Champagne, bitters, sparkling water and nutmeg. Garnish the bowl with floating pineapple slices and a few star anise. (Serves 8)

Recipe courtesy of Bartender Erick Castro, San Francisco

The Parisian Punch Bowl

  • 9 oz Hayman’s Gin
  • 6 oz Triple Sec
  • 1 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
  • 6 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 12 oz Seasonal fresh Apple Cider
  • 4 1/2 oz lemon Juice
  • 3 oz  cranberry Juice

Mix together in shaker, pour into ice filled punch bowl. Top with very thinly sliced lemon rounds and red skinned apples. Dust with freshly ground nutmeg. (Serves 8)

Courtesy of Mixologist Peter Chase, Salon Millesime, New York City

The Solerno Celebration Punch

  • 1 bottle Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
  • 1 bottle Lillet Rouge
  • 1 bottle dry, sparkling white wine
  • 16 oz freshly brewed, strong, Chai-spiced black tea (no cream or sugar added)
  • 8 oz Fever Tree Ginger Beer
  • 8 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 16 dashes Angostura Bitters

Build ingredients in a punch bowl over a large block of ice.  Garnish with thinly sliced wheels of oranges.  Garnish individual punch glasses with a cinnamon stick and a small wedge of orange. (Serves 30)

Courtesy of Bartender/Brand Ambassador Jacqueline Patterson, San Francisco, CA

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SINGLE SERVING PUNCHES

For smaller affairs like bridal luncheons or Mother-in-Law teas, have a bartender whip up cool twists on single serving punches. Serving them in a teacup or beautiful vintage tall glass adds an elegant touch.

Airmail Punch

  • 1 oz. Banks 5-Island Rum
  • 1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1/2 oz. Honey Syrup (two parts honey and one part water)
  • Moët Imperial Champagne

Add all of the ingredients to a mixing tin with ice. 
Shake and strain into a chilled teacup filled with one large cube.
 Top with 2 1/2 oz. Moët Imperial Champagne.
 Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Recipe Courtesy of Mixologist Jim Meehan, New York City

The Pama Rum Punch

  • 1 oz Pama Pomegranate liqueur
  • 1 oz White Rum
  • ½ oz Dark Overproof Rum
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Dash of bitters

Combine all ingredients except dark rum in a shaker; add ice and shake. Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice and pack top of glass with crushed ice. Top with a floater of dark rum.

Courtesy of Mixologist Eben Freeman, New York City

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TIPS TO REMEMBER WITH ANY PUNCH PARTY:

  1. You can juice fruit several hours before and refrigerate it to save time. Always use fresh juice in any cocktail or punch.
  2. Freeze large blocks of ice by filling Tupperware containers with water. These will keep your punch cold but won’t water it down.
  3. Many punches can be mixed prior to guests arriving and refrigerated. Just make sure to add anything carbonated – like Champagne or soda – at the last minute.

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BRINGING IN THE BOYS

Saying the words ‘teacup’ and ‘punch’ might send your groom running for Home Depot or a rugby match rather than the party supply place to help you out. However, punch parties can be applied to grooms events or your big day if you make them a bit more unisex or – better yet - slightly masculine. Try these options on for size and remember gentlemen, … pinkie extended!

  1. Add an outdoor sport. Throw in a couple of cocktails and a little competition, but keep it classy. Choose a game guys can get into while rockin’ a suit. Might we suggest croquet or badminton?
  2. Tiki cocktails are all the rage at bars around America now. There are great tiki punches too. Combine a little South Pacific flavor with fire torches, whole roasted pigs and bad Hawaiian shirts.
- Jenny Adams