If you're throwing a party, you'll want to throw down some punch as well. It's the hassle-free way to keep a crowd topped up in style. Just quietly, it's also a cost-effective way to keep the drinks flowing.
Think of punch as a giant, affordable cocktail that's not too heavy on the alcohol (or completely alcohol-free, if that's your style). This means a punch is just as great served at a midday barbecue as a late-night dance-a-thon.
The secret to a smashingly good party punch? Serve it in watermelon, of course. Especially if your punch recipe happens to actually feature watermelon - but a good look even if it doesn't. If your punch is melon-less, simply serve the fruit as a side dish and load the skin up with whatever punch you fancy.
Follow one of these recipes, but feel free to add or subtract a herb, add more or less fizz, juice or alcohol and generally freestyle your way to your signature punch. Happy party daze!
New York bartender Simon Ford invented horse and carriage punch for a friend's wedding. It's an insanely good mix of gin, triple sec, elderflower (sometimes chamomile) and lemon juice, all stirred together with good sparkling wine. Expect the sparkling conversation to be close behind.
Speaking of excellent combinations, here's to the green and gold. In punch form... with beer and rum. We might have found a winner here, folks!
Double the alcohol then up the quantity of grapefruit and soda water in this recipe to make a refreshing spiced rum and grapefruit punch. Slide it into your watermelon half with plenty of ice and watch your guests fill up faster than a wedding dancefloor when the DJ plays U Can't Touch This.
Ginger goes so beautifully with watermelon you'll wonder why you haven't been drinking this watermelon soju punch sooner. It's pure refreshment in a glass.
With blueberries so plump and abundant this season, you'll want to make this blueberry limonata. It may be sans alcohol, but it's bursting with plenty of refreshing flavours. You can make a batch now and serve it all summer long.
A large watermelon half will take about two litres of punch, so to adjust a cocktail recipe (like this one) simply consider how much liquid the recipe calls for. In this case, double this cocktail recipe to fill your watermelon. If in doubt, always add an extra soft drink or juice to fill it.
This is the punch to serve mid-summer when everyone is feeling too lazy to keep topping up drinks. White peach and a tingly mint and lemon shrub combine to whisk your tiredness away. Feel free to add a little gin for extra uplift.
Use the whole watermelon with this special sago and melon ball punch. You can keep it rather thick to serve in bowls for dessert, or top it up with lemonade or soda water. Either way, it's a delicious way to bow down to watermelon's summer domination.
What better cocktail to serve as a punch than the famous Singapore Sling. It's made of gin, cherry brandy and Bénédictine with a dash of bitters and Cointreau and finished off with pineapple and lime juice and grenadine. In other words, it's a party in a glass.
Another vodka-based punch whose colour perfectly matches a watermelon shell. This one is coloured by red wine, port and grenadine, along with berries galore. Such a wonderful colour that's worth a tipple.
Here's a fabulous use of any leftover watermelon - pink lemonade. It's just as fresh tasting as it looks and is the perfect punch to serve for those who don't drink alcohol.
For a punch with a difference, try this orchard mix of apple brandy, pear, lemon, chamomile and bitters. Just be warned: it goes down as smoothly as it sounds.
This punch is inspired by the dulcet tones and immortal cool of Mr Dean Martin. So naturally, it features cool-kid standbys like rum, Aperol and more than a touch of bitters.
Fill your watermelon to the brim with a strawberry vodka slushie. It may look like a childhood summer favourite, but this is definitely one for adults only.
SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
Have a story or comment? Contact Us
