Brighten up your garden or outdoor party this spring when you make this simple Citrus Sunshine Punch. With or without rum, this combination of three fruit juices and lemon-lime soda is sure to make your springtime sweeter.
Citrus Sunshine Punch Two Ways!
Every garden or outdoor party is made brighter and sweeter during the springtime with this Citrus Sunshine Punch, a combination of three fruit juices and lemon-lime soda, plus a spiked version for the over 21 set.
The sun was shining. I was wearing shorts and tank tops.
Now I have kicked the heater back up, am wearing a t-shirt and sweater over that tank top, and exchanged the shorts for long pants.
I have had to remind myself numerous times of the old nursery school rhyme, “April [snow] showers bring May flowers.” Luckily, the forecast shows the sun will return just in time for my upcoming party.
Yes folks, it’s that time again, where we dust off (or dry off) our outdoor furniture, mow the lawn for the first time (ok you California and Florida people, be quiet), and make sure there is enough propane for the grill.
Last year, during one of my garden parties, I ran out of punch for the under 21/non-drinker crowd. It was one of those “really?” moments for me. This year, I vowed to not let that happen. I also wanted to make just one drink recipe, and simply spike it for the over-21 crowd.
My solution was this Citrus Sunshine Punch and a 2.5-gallon glass-spouted dispenser. I made the entire recipe in the dispenser and simply filled up a smaller pitcher (kept separately and away from the non-alcoholic version) and added white rum. I won’t run out this year! Or maybe I will because it is that delicious.
This punch is a bright combination of lemonade, orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemon-lime soda. The beverage beckons the sun to come out. If a drink can be happy and cheerful, then my friends, this one is. Whether you add the rum or not, your party guests will be utterly delighted. I cannot guarantee there will be any left at the end of the party, so you might want to squirrel a bit away for yourself for another time.
If your party day is going to be hot, I recommend making this a day ahead of time without adding the soda, or you’ll lose the bubbles. Instead fill up your ice trays or even a Bundt pan with the soda and freeze for a decorative ice ring. This will allow the punch to stay cold but not get watered down from melting ice.
When you look over the recipe, you’ll notice the vanilla extract. That might seem odd in a beverage recipe, but I promise it is essential. I mixed everything up before adding the extract and it was good, but flat-flavored. Once I added the vanilla, the flavors popped and were vibrant. I have used up to two tablespoons, but the vanilla really comes through at that point, so start with just one tablespoon and add more to your own tasting. I was happy with one tablespoon.
- 1-1.8 qt (59 oz) container lemonade
- 1-1.8 qt (59 oz) container orange juice; pulp free
- 1-46 oz can pineapple juice
- 1-2 liter lemon-lime soda
- 4 cups water
- ½ cup sugar
- 1-2 tbsp vanilla extract
- White rum, optional
- In a large (2.5 gallon) container, add all lemonade, orange juice, pineapple juice, soda, water, and sugar.
- Stir gently to not over-fizz the beverage.
- Add ONE tablespoon vanilla extract.
- Stir gently and taste.
- If needed add more vanilla.
- Chill.
- Serve and enjoy.
- Use the ratio of 4:1, four cups punch to one cup white rum.
- Fill a separate pitcher and mix the punch and rum together.
- Chill, serve, and enjoy.
We hope you love this Citrus Sunshine Punch with or without Rum from SoFabFood Contributor, Michelle from The Complete Savorist, as much as we do. If you enjoyed this delicious drink recipe, be sure to find more like it in our Cocktails section. For daily recipe inspiration, like us on Facebook, follow us on Pinterest, and stop by our Google+ Community to see all of the amazing recipes our community members are sharing. Enjoy!
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