Grown-Up Fruit Punch

This is turned out to be so much more than I expected. Not sure what else to say about it except to describe the occasion of its making. First note : It's completely up to you if you add alcohol - it doesn't suffer with or without it. I forgot the seltzer, and didn't notice, so that's optional as well. I made this for a thanksgiving party - I wanted to provide a drink for those both those who enjoyed a good strong beverage and for those who were abstaining. But I didn't want the abstainer to feel like they were abstaining. Enjoy this cool and remarkably complex libation.









GROWN UP FRUIT PUNCH

Serves 8

2 cups boiling water
2 black tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose-leaf tea in an infuser)
2 cinnamon sticks
1/4 cup sugar
3 cups pomegranate juice
1 cup orange juice
1 orange, sliced into thin rounds
1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
1 lime, sliced into thin rounds
1 apple, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
3 cups carbonated water (optional)

Pour boiling water over tea bags and cinnamon sticks and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and stir in sugar to dissolve.

In a large jar or pitcher, combine tea, cinnamon sticks, pomegranate juice, orange juice, orange, lemon, lime, and apple. Refrigerate for at least one hour, preferably overnight.

Just before serving, stir in carbonated water (optional). Gin, Rye, and Vodka are quite tasty additions. Serve in glasses over ice.

Recipe adapted from The Kitchn