Drink in Summer with Crunchy Punch!

By Heather Chastain  //  Entertaining, Lifestyle  //  No Comments

Heather and her family enjoy a summer day with their daughters trusty red wagon in tow!

If the four seasons were up for a vote, hands-down, Summer would win at my house. Shawn, Pfifer, Finley and I are all about making the most of warm, sunny weather.   We love to cook out, picnic in the park, splash about in the pool and hang out in the yard.

While our outdoor time is decidedly casual (bare feet abound!), I still try to make it special whether that means styling up the picnic table with a cool denim runner, bandana napkins and bright red stoneware (a nice change from paper plates) or treating everyone to a tasty beverage like Crunchy Punch.
This recipe’s perfect for Summertime–it’s simple to fix and serves up icy cold.  It also uses readily available ingredients and modifies easily with the change of just an ingredient or two.
CRUNCHY PUNCH
Ingredients
3 small packages flavored gelatin, any flavor
9 cups boiling water
4 cups sugar
4 cups boiling water
16 ounces lemon juice
2-46 ounce containers of pineapple juice
2 liters of 7UP® or ginger ale

Directions
Dissolve gelatin in nine cups of boiling water.
Dissolve sugar in 4 cups of boiling water.
Mix together all ingredients except for 7UP® (or gingerale).
Pour mixture into four ½-gallon containers (I use milk jugs), then seal.
Freeze for 36 hours.
Several hours prior to serving, remove containers from freezer and place in refrigerator to partially thaw.
When ready to serve, add 7UP® (or gingerale).
Punch should be icy and crunchy.
Tips:
•Chill a Celebrating Home stoneware bean pot or serving pitcher for 20 minutes in the freezer prior to serving, then add punch. Because our stoneware is designed with insulative qualities, the punch will stay colder longer if served in it instead of a conventional punch bowl or pitcher.
•This is a good recipe to make with your kids.  Let them add everything but the boiling water (you do that!).  Watch them giggle as the gelatin adds color and the 7Up® makes the punch fizz.
•Remember to add a colorful, bendable straw to each glass; then watch everyone smile and sip like a kid!