Pomegranate-Champagne Punch

There is one last hurrah before we ring in the New Year.  If you are still entertaining guests and are looking for a crowd pleasing punch that is both festive and has a grown-up style, then this is your crowd pleaser.  This is not a sweet punch and those that are looking for the ginger ale variety will be disappointed.  We served this punch at our recent holiday party with rave reviews.

Pomegranate-Champagne Punch

Serves 12

Recipe from Bon Appetit

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 750-ml bottles chilled brut Champagne

1-1/2 cups white rum

1-1/4 cups pomegranate juice

1 large lemon, thinly sliced

Pomegranate seeds

Fresh mint leaves

1 ice block

Directions:

Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves.  Simmer 5 minutes.  Cool completely.

Combine Champagne, rum, and pomegranate juice in punch bowl.  Add enough syrup to sweeten to taste.  Mix in lemon slices, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves.  Add ice block to bowl.

Enjoy.