September 20^th is National Punch Day. No, we don’t mean that you should go around hitting anyone; we’re referring to punch, the drink that is a central staple of barbecues and parties everywhere. Did you know that punch originated in India in the early 1600s and was introduced to the Western world by members of the British East India Company? We didn’t either, but that gives one of our favorite drinks a really fascinating history right there.

With the days of hot sun and endless sunlight hours ending and us drifting into the twilight of Indian Summer, it is with great pleasure that we celebrate National Punch Day, a final “hurrah” of outdoor and bright celebration before we head into the different (but no less fun) celebrations accompanying autumn and winter. We here at Torani, with the help of some of our friends, have several delicious punch recipes for you to have as the centerpiece of your final sunny party – some for just the adults, and some for the whole family to enjoy.

Rumrunner Punch

This one is just for the adults. The combination of the sweet and tart Torani Mojito Mint Syrup, the juicy fruit slices, and the kick from the alcohol creates a fun, kicky punch that all of your guests will be crowding around.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (8 oz) Torani Mojito Mint Syrup
• 1 cup (8 oz) soda water
• 2 Tbsp (1 oz) angostura bitters
• ½ whole nutmeg (ground fine)
• 1 cup (8 oz) bourbon
• ½ cup (4 oz) light rum
• Orange and lime slices, for garnish
• Fresh mint, for garnish

Instructions:

In a large punch bowl, combine all ingredients. Top with a splash of soda water and garnish with fresh mint, orange and lime slices. Add ice and enjoy!

Pomegranate Champagne Punch

Another one for the grown-ups, this punch blends pleasantly sour flavors of citrus and pomegranate with the sweet crispness of champagne. This is a sophisticated take on a punch that will give an extra sparkle and sheen to your next party.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (16 oz) champagne
• ½ cup (4 oz) Torani Pomegranate Syrup
• 1 cup (8 oz) sparkling water
• ½ cup (4 oz) citrus vodka
• Lemon pinwheels, for garnish
• Ice

Instructions:

Combine champagne, sparkling water, vodka and Torani in a large bowl or pitcher. Serve with ice and garnish with lemon.

Sparkling Raspberry Punch

One for the entire family, the tartness of freshly-picked raspberries mixes with the sweetness of the pineapple and the apple cider for a delicious punch that not only you’ll enjoy, but so will your kids.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (2 oz) Torani Raspberry Syrup
• 1 cup (8 oz) pineapple juice
• 1 bottle (25.4 fl oz) sparkling apple cider

Instructions:

Combine ingredients in a large punch bowl. Fill with ice and stir well.

Strawberry Champagne Punch

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles! This delightfully fizzy punch for grown-ups is an effervescent take on a strawberry soda, with the sweet strawberry flavor melting into the bubbly waves of champagne, ginger ale and sparkling water. The punch bowl will be a congregation point at your gathering!

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (25.4 oz) champagne
• 1 bottle (1 liter) ginger ale
• 1 bottle (1 liter) sparkling water
• ½ cup (4 oz) Torani Strawberry Syrup
• Ice

Instructions:

Combine champagne, ginger ale, sparkling water and Torani to a punch bowl or pitcher. Add ice and garnish with strawberry slices.

Raspberry Sangria Punch (courtesy of Snappy Gourmet)

Image courtesy of Snappy Gourmet

One of our favorite food blogs, Snappy Gourmet, has created this delicious and modern take on a traditional Spanish Sangria. White wine is flavored with Torani Raspberry, and a variety of sweet alcohols and fresh citrus slices add complexity and depth of flavor. You won’t be disappointed with this wonderful reimagining of the classic punch.

Ingredients:

• 2 bottles white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
• ¾ cup (6 oz) Torani Raspberry Syrup
• ½ cup rum
• ½ cup peach schnapps
• 1 package (12 oz) fresh raspberries
• 3 limes, quartered and sliced
• 2 oranges, quartered and sliced
• 2 lemons, quartered and sliced
• 1 bottle (1 liter) sparkling water
• Ice

Instructions:

Pour wine into a large punch bowl. Add rum, schnapps and Torani, stirring to combine. Add raspberries, limes, oranges and lemons to bowl. Stir to combine and let sit for around half an hour. Add sparkling water and ice, stirring gently to combine. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Ocean Water Punch (courtesy Around My Family Table)

Image courtesy of Around My Family Table

Another blog we love, Around My Family Table, was inspired by the family film Finding Dory to create this family-friendly tropical punch. The exotic flavors of coconut and blue raspberries, along with an incredibly fun color, will delight kids of all ages.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (24 oz) lemon lime seltzer water
• 2 Tbsp (1 oz) Torani Coconut Syrup
• ½ Tbsp (½ oz) Torani Blue Raspberry Syrup
• Blue food coloring (optional)
• Crushed ice

Instructions:

In a large measuring bowl with a pour spout, add seltzer water and Torani. Add additional blue food coloring, if desired. Lightly stir punch to combine. Fill a mason jar with crushed ice and pour in punch. Add a straw and enjoy!

Banana Rum Punch (courtesy of A Night Owl)

Image courtesy of A Night Owl Blog

Our friends at the excellent blog A Night Owl created this magnificent punch with the added pizzazz of visual flair. In addition to the delicious mix of fruit juices and fruit alcohol, the addition of the Torani Cherry Syrup creates an ombre hue that sinks to the bottom of the drink. The recipe calls for one pump of Torani per drink. If you don’t have a Torani pump to use, add ½ tablespoon of Torani per drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (8 oz) banana rum
• 2 cups (16 oz) orange juice
• 2 cups (16 oz) pineapple juice
• 2 cups (16 oz) ginger ale
• 1 cup (8 oz) Torani Cherry Syrup
• Orange and lemon slices, for garnish

Instructions:

Mix banana rum, orange and pineapple juices and ginger ale together. Pour into each glass over ice and add a bit of Torani into each glass. Serve with orange and lemon slices for garnish.

 

There are lots of ways to celebrate National Punch Day. Punch has evolved in our country from a standard in high society gilded drawing-rooms in the mid-19^th century to the opulent morass of flavors at office parties in midcentury cities to a drink that we can make at home and customize to any flavor palette. Whether you follow these recipes or substitute the flavors for other Torani syrups in your pantry, you will always have a friend in Torani to make any drink spectacular. Cheers!