Recipe Swap: Punch it up a notch this New Year's Eve

Last Sunday afternoon we took our church youth group to St. Louis to ice skate at the Steinberg Skating Rink. On the way, we stopped at a restaurant, and I was the recipient of a random act of kindness. I struck up a conversation with a young couple who had been shopping. They, like I, collect Nativity items. At the bookstore next door to our restaurant, they had purchased several copies of a Nativity book. I quickly thumbed through the book as we talked. Everyone's food arrived, and a moment later the man was standing beside me with a copy of the book and said they wanted me to have it and merry Christmas.

I was at a loss for words, but quickly jumped to my feet, gave him a hug and thanked him and returned the Christmas greeting. With all of the depressing news of the economy and people stranded in airports trying to get home, I just wasn't in much of a Christmas mood this year. But this put so much joy in my heart and restored that spirit within me. I will never know who they were, but I was so thankful for the experience and that our youth group got to witness it as well.

Many of you may be planning to have guests tonight for a little New Year's celebration. We always try to spend the holiday with friends and family as it seems like such a happy and fun way to start the new year. I have included several nonalcoholic punch and drink recipes to serve as an alcohol-free option to your celebrating. Of course, if you prefer to drink alcohol, you can just add whatever you wish to any of these recipes below.

New Year's Eve Punch

1 (16-ounce) can fruit cocktail

2 (6-ounce) cans frozen orange juice concentrate

2 (6-ounce) cans frozen lemonade concentrate

2 (6-ounce) cans frozen limeade concentrate

2 (6-ounce) cans frozen pineapple juice concentrate

1 pint raspberry sherbet

Pour fruit cocktail into ring mold and freeze overnight. Prepare frozen juices according to directions. Pour juices into a 10-quart punch bowl and mix well. When ready to serve, float frozen fruit ring in punch. Scoop sherbet into punch and serve. If desired, you may add a bottle of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale to the punch.

Orange Eggnog Punch

1 quart eggnog

1 (12-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1 (12-ounce) can ginger ale

In a pitcher, mix eggnog and orange juice concentrate until blended. Gradually add in the ginger ale and stir gently. Yields 8 servings.

New Year Pink Punch

1 (3-ounce) package cherry gelatin

1 cup boiling water

1 (6-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate

3 cups cold water

1 quart cranberry juice

Ice cubes

1 (12-ounce) can ginger ale

Dissolve gelatin completely in boiling water. Stir in lemonade concentrate, cold water and cranberry juice. Chill. Immediately before serving, pour mixture over ice cubes in a large punch bowl. Stir in ginger ale gently. Yields 25 servings.

Green Cheer In A Bowl

2 envelopes lemon-lime drink mix

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 quarts water

1 (20-ounce) can pineapple juice

1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale

1/2 gallon lime sherbet

Maraschino cherries, optional

Dissolve drink mix and sugar in water. Stir in pineapple juice. Chill. To serve, blend lemon-lime mixture with ginger ale in a punch bowl. Scoop lime sherbet into punch bowl. If desired, place a maraschino cherry on each scoop of sherbet. Yields 25 servings.

Festive Holiday Punch

8 cups apple juice

8 cups cranberry juice cocktail

2 red apples

2 cups cranberries

3 liters lemon-lime soda

Ice cubes as needed

Combine apple and cranberry juices in a punch bowl. Fifteen minutes before serving, add unpeeled apple slices, cranberries, soda and cranberries. Do not stir. Yields 24 servings.

Strawberry Surprise

2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced

2 cups crushed ice

1/2 cup Vernor's ginger ale

Sugar to taste

In a blender, combine strawberries, crushed ice and ginger ale. Blend until smooth. Add sugar to taste. Serve as a smoothie or in small cups as a punch. This recipe can be altered in many ways. It can be frozen and served as a sherbet for dessert or as a palate refresher between heavy courses. More liquid can be added to this recipe to create a cold soup and add a dollop of yogurt before serving.

Cranberry Orange Frappe

2 cups cranberry juice

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup whipped cream

Sugar to taste

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 bananas

3/4 cup crushed ice

Mint leaves

In a blender, combine cranberry juice, orange juice, whipped cream, sugar, lemon juice, bananas and crushed ice. Process on high for 1 minute. Serve in stemmed goblets and garnish with mint leaves.

Cranberry Punch

1 (3-ounce) package cherry gelatin

1 cup boiling water

1 (6-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate

1 (32-ounce) bottle cranberry juice, chilled

3 cups cold water

1 (12-ounce) can ginger ale, chilled

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add orange juice concentrate, stirring until it melts. Stir in cranberry juice and water. At this point you may store the cherry mixture in a plastic container in refrigerator until serving time. Carefully pour mixture in a punch bowl and gently stir in ginger ale. Serve immediately.

Holiday Punch

1 package red drink mix, do not add the sugar or water; use dry mix

1 (2-liter) bottle red fruit punch

1 (2-liter) bottle red soda

1 (2-liter) bottle orange soda

1 (2-liter) bottle lemon-lime soda

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream or raspberry sherbet

Mix first five ingredients together in a large punch bowl. Scoop ice cream or sherbet into punch just before serving. Let it froth and gently stir, then serve.

Mock Sangria

1 (12-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 (12-ounce) can frozen cranberry juice cocktail, thawed

8 cups red grape juice

1 liter ginger ale, chilled

32 maraschino cherries

2 limes, washed and thinly sliced

1 orange, washed and thinly sliced

Ice cubes

In a punch bowl, combine the fruit juice concentrates and grape juice. Stir until well combined. Just before serving, add the ginger ale, fruit and ice.

Nazarene Champagne

1 (2-liter) bottle white grape juice

1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale

Mix together in a pitcher or punch bowl, depending on amount desired. Mix equal parts for more portions. This is a great punch for weddings also. It has all the bubbly without the alcohol.

Have a happy and safe new year celebration and may your new year ahead be filled with more joy and happiness than you can handle. Until next time, happy cooking.

Susan McClanahan is administrator at the Cape Girardeau Senior Center. Send recipes to her at smcclanahan@semissourian.com or by mail at P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701. Recipes published have not been kitchen-tested by Southeast Missourian staff.