Blood Orange Cardamom Punch
I feel like this time of year is all about the gingerbread and cranberry flavors - both perfectly festive and fun, but now that we're in the final stretch of the holiday season it's time to pull out the big boys: blood orange and cardamon. If you think about it, these are total winners when it comes to winter flavors and what better way to really show their uniqueness off than with punch cocktail! This blood orange cardamon punch can be made in single servings or in a big batch, which I highly recommend. Punch bowl drinks are like your own personal bartender, not to mention a saving grace when it comes to limiting the chaos of entertaining. Whip up the punch a few hours before guests arrive, as soon as the first person is at your door add a decorative ice block to the bowl and you've got a self serve station that will keep your attention on your guests and not their glasses. I personally like to make mini ice blocks in individual bundt cake molds - just fill with water, fruit slices and even edible flowers the night before and store away in the freezer so it's ready to go at a moments notice.
Speaking of hosting hacks - New Years celebrations call for easy elegance, which is where these Papyrus gold dot napkins work double duty. Chic yet no mess fuss for flawless festivities. Besides, I don't know one person who feels like cleaning a mountain of dirty linens New Years Day, and we're not going to start making that a tradition now!
This signature cocktail is perfect for any gathering, holidays and beyond (Hello Award Season...or even Super Bowl?)! But what makes this particular presentation extra special is that we're matching the drink to the party decor and going all out bold in red and gold to ring in the new year with serious style! Yes, that's edible gold confetti floating in your drink and everyone's going to love it!
- BLOOD ORANGE CARDAMOM PUNCH -
INGREDIENTS - Makes One Cocktail
1 1/2 oz gin
2 oz fresh squeezed blood orange juice
1/2 oz *cardamom simple syrup
Tonic Water
DIRECTIONS
Add Gin, blood orange juice and simple syrup into a cocktail pitcher filled with ice. Stir well and strain into a coup, add a float of tonic water. This recipe also makes for a festive mocktail - simply leave out the gin! To turn this recipe into a big batch punch simply multiply the ingredients listed above to your number of guests and place into a punch bowl filled with ice. Reserve tonic water for individual glasses once punch is poured.
GARNISHING SUGGESTION
For a one of a kind garnish, try cutting out different sized circles from a sheet of gold edible sugar paper and set on top of drink right before serving. Decorative ice blocks can be made several days ahead by simply pouring water into a bundt cake mold and adding colorful accents such as blood orange slices, spices, and edible flowers.
*CARDAMOM SIMPLE SYRUP
1 cup white sugar
1 cup water
1 TBS cardamom pods
Add water and cardamom pods to a sauce pan and bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and stir in sugar. Simmer covered until sugars dissolve and mixture becomes fragrant - about 15 minutes. Strain out pods and store in a clean sealable container for up to 3 weeks - make sure syrup completely cooked to room temperature before using in cocktail.
This simple syrup is seriously simple to make - so why not whip up an extra batch of this cardamon spiced goodness and place in little single serving vials to send home with guests. Tuck into a festive gold dot gift bagto-go and don't forget to include the cocktail recipe so they can enjoy this flavorful spirit again at home!
Cardamom spiced and all things nice - here's to wrapping up this year with entertaining ease!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
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