Pbenjay's Blog

Do you find yourself at odds on the afternoon of the evening you are invited to a Holiday Party wondering what to bring as a Hostess gift?  I mean really, the standard bottle of wine is well….mundane.  Here’s a different approach to bringing a libation to the host and hostess.  To really add punch to this gift, it should be presented in a beautiful velvet bag.  Of course any pretty wine bottle bag will do but if you are often invited to holiday parties then I suggest going to a couple of holiday fairs;  The kind Senior Centers and church organizations sponsor because that’s the place you will find lovely  handmade wine bags.  Now that you have the bag, this is what goes in it.

Cranberry Spice Punch

CRANBERRY SPICE PUNCH

1 container (64 oz) cranberry juice cocktail

1 can (46 oz) pineapple juice

1 can (12 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 cinnamon sticks

1/2 tsp whole cloves

1/2 tsp whole allspice

1/8 tsp salt

In a Dutch oven, combine cranberry juice cocktail, pineapple juice, lemonade concentrate, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and salt.  Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 15 minutes.  Allow mixture to cool.  Strain into a large container.  Cover and store in refrigerator.  Serve hot or cold.

You can purchase gift bottles/containers at stores like Home Goods, The Container Store or Michael’s.  Or an empty Perrier bottle will be just as nice.

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