Need Suggestions on a unique non-alchoholic punch for dinner party

[Elle]

Does anyone have a good punch recipe? Preferably something unique.

[DanaB]

Not really a punch, but a truly beautiful (almost cranberry hued), easy, refreshing and delicious non-alcoholic beverage is Agua de Jamaica, a sort of cold "tea" made from jamaica (hybiscus) flowers, which are available in markets that carry mexican food items.

Recipe paraphrased from Rick Bayless' "Authentic Mexican":

2 c. jamaica blossoms (dried)
3/4 C. Sugar
6 C. Water.

Bring water to a boil, add the dried flowers and sugar, and stir while mixture simmers for a minute or two until sugar dissolves. Pour into a noncorrosive container and steep 2 hours. Strain in a sieve, pressing on the flowers to extract as much liquid a spossible. Taste for strength and sweetness -- if too pungent, add water; if too tart, add sugar. Store covered in a noncorrosive container in the refrigerater until time to serve.

[Cristina]

Any of the aguas frescas would work~papaya, strawberry, or watermelon would be easy and delicious. Here's how:

The amount of fresh fruit you use will depend upon how many people you need to serve. A pound of strawberries, for example, makes approximately two quarts of agua fresca.

Using the ripest fruit (whichever you choose) you can find, remove the seeds, peel (if necessary) and blend the flesh with enough water to liquify. In a large pitcher, mix the liquified fruit with sugar to taste and enough water for the consistency you like. Add a squeeze of lime or lemon and *voila*. Garnish with sprigs of fresh mint or slices of lime.

You could freeze extra cubes of agua fresca to chill it when you serve it, without diluting it.

[mary]

Dana, Where do you find Jamaican blossoms? Thanks, Mary

[DanaB]

They are "Jamaica" blossoms, which, I believe, is spanish for Hybiscus. Here in Los Angeles, you can find dried jamaica blossoms at most supermarkets that carry Latino and Hispanic food products. In my neighborhood, near downtown Los Angeles, for instance, Jons Market carries them, as does my neighborhood Ralphs and Vons, although I think that's because there is a large Latino population near me. It's a common product in places that carry Mexican food items.

Click on this link for more information on Jamaica flowers:

http://gourmetsleuth.com/jamaica.htm

If there isn't such a market near you, you can buy them on-line at mexgrocer.com. Good luck!

Link: http://store.yahoo.com/mex-grocer/968...

[Cristina]

Jamaica is pronounced ha-MY-kah. It actually is the blossom of the hibiscus...but in Spanish the hibiscus is known (at least in my part of Mexico) as the obelisco. Go figure.

[JessicaKlonsky]

For added confusion, in Jamaica (the country) Hibiscus, or Jamaica, is referred to as sorrel,a word I always used for the lemony green leafy vegetable .

[Professor Salt]

I recently noticed Kern's Juices (part of the Libby's / Nestle brands) sells a new line of agua frescas in half gallon cartons. This is offered in the Smart & Final store in Costa Mesa, a So Cal town with a large Mexican and Central American population.

I saw jamaica, horchata, and sandia (watermelon). Maybe other flavors are offered. Maybe it's sold outside my region. I tried the horchata last week, which tasted pretty good, made with more milk than I'm used to tasting, but acceptably drinkable. Kern's will not be a threat to the shops that make superior liquados and agua frescas, though. Will have to pick up the jamaica next time.

[Professor Salt]

Now that I think about it, a homemade Mexican agua fresca or licuado would make a good non-alcoholic punch. Watermelon, jamaica, orange, pineapple. A licuado made with milk would also be delicious: strawberry, banana, horchata (which uses rice flour, cinammon, sometimes peanut or almond in addtion to the milk and tastes simliar to rice pudding). Served in a big glass container filled with ice, they would make an interesting alternative to more common norteamericano punches.

[TrishUntrapped]

Here's a non-fruity one:

Coffee Punch

2 Cups heavy cream
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 gallon strong coffee, chilled
1 quart vanilla ice cream

Whip cream with sugar and vanilla. Place in punch bowl. Pour coffee over whipped cream. Slice ice cream into small pieces and mix into coffee mixture. Bon Appetit!

[Sharuf]

Sounds like Irish Coffee without the Irish.

[ParrotMom]

Sounds like you could add Kalhua to it..yummy..

[ParrotMom]

Sounds like you could add Kalhua to it..yummy..

[tigerwoman]

fresh strawberry and or blueberry lemonade
(puree either fresh or frozen fruit and add to homemade lemonade with less than normal sugar