I’m old enough to remember when big family gatherings inevitably featured a punch bowl. In fact, this was central to the party.
The Nostalgia Electrics LPF210 Lighted Party Fountain will bring back memories of an earlier, more innocent time.
My grandmother and my great aunts wouldn’t have considered having an important function without this centerpiece. This was a time when both alcoholic and non-alcoholic punch was very much in style. Oftentimes, the punch would be topped with a scoop of orange sherbert, which would slowly melt into the liquid mix.
Punch was one of the highlight of baby showers, wedding showers and ladies luncheons. In those days, many women didn’t work. So they had more time for fancy daytime events.
In many regards, punch is a vintage drink. However, as with many other retro fashions, it seems to be making a comeback.
The Nostalgia Electrics LPF210 Lighted Party Fountain comes with 8 cups. But this fountain features a new twist, much different from when punch was served in the 1950’s. There’s no need to use a ladle. That’s because the beverage is collected by holding a cup under the fountains.
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If I’m remembering correctly, my grandmother and aunts would make a punch with ginger ale as one of the ingredients. Then they’d top it off with orange sherbert. They might have added something like Hawaiian punch or cranberry juice to the mix as well.
Old Fashioned Punch Recipe
Anyway, if you’re wondering what to put in your punch bowl, here is a healthier version of an old-fashioned punch recipe.
- 1 quart of cranberry juice without high fructose corn syrup.
- 1 quart of orange juice
- 8 cans of organic ginger ale (available here). The reason I specified organic is because a lot has changed since my grandmother began making punch. Nearly all of the ginger ale sold in grocery stores is made with high-fructose corn syrup. This controversial additive has been linked to insulin resistance and it may also contain trace amounts of mercury. Modern ginger ale may also contain genetically modified ingredients.
- Ice cubes
- Orange slices to float on top.