Foodie Friday: Holiday Punches

People don't seem to make punch very much anymore, but there was once a time when it was standard party fare during the winter holidays.  Here are punch recipes from the cookbooks of the NC State Woman's Club, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year.

The following recipe is from Recipes, Newcomers 1942-1944.  Mrs. Robert Hooke contributed it. 

Cranberry Punch

1 1/2 lbs. cranberries

2 qts. water

6 cloves

1 1/2 lbs. sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 cup orange juice

Boil cranberries, cloves, and water.  When all berries have popped, press through collander, add sugar and fruit juices.  Serve hot or cold.  One or two qts. of water may be added, in which case, it will serve 25.

The next recipe is from North Carolina State College Woman's Club Cook Book, compiled during the 1953-1954 academic year.  The contributor was Jane Campbell, wife of the Textile Dean Malcolm Campbell.

Christmas Punch

(Pretty for Christmas)

3 bottles cranberry juice

1 quart orange juice

1 cup lemon juice

1 large can pineapple juice

3 packages cherry Jello

3 cups hot water

1 quart gingerale

Dissolve jello in hot water.  Then add other ingredients.

The last recipe is from Favorite Foods from Faculty Kitchens (1974).  The club member who contributed this recipe is not indicated.

Pineapple Eggnog Punch

2 quarts dairy eggnog

1 bottle (1 pint, 12 ounces) ginger-ale (chilled)

2 cans (18 ounces each) pineapple juice (chilled)

**Miniature Sherbet Cups

In punch bowl combine dairy eggnog, pineapple juice and ginger ale.  Float miniature sherbet cups on top.  Serve immediately.  Yield:  1 gallon.

**Miniature Sherbet Cups

12 maraschino cherries

1 quart lime sherbet

Cut cherries in half.  In 2 miniature muffin pans (12 cup each) place cherry halves, cut side down.  Fill cups with sherbet; freeze.  Unmold by loosening around sides.  If necessary dip quickly in warm water.  Makes 12 cups.

All cookbooks that contain these recipes are filed in Box 9 of the Special Collections Research Center's collection of Woman's Club records (call number UA 021.509).  To request to see these materials, please contact us through our online form (please remember to include the call and box numbers).