The term ‘punch’ is widely held to have originated from the Indian word ‘panch’, which means five, indicative of the fact that five ingredients were originally used to make the concoction. In fact, it is commonly thought that in the 16th century British sailors found a fully formed punch recipe in India. However, as is usual with history, as well as recipes, there are several variations to the story. Another theory about the punch recipe is that the five ingredients are a reflection of the five distinctive constituents that are required in punch, namely: sour, sweet, weak, bitter, and alcohol. The ingredients that were used then were lemon juice, sugar, beer, a bitter aperitif, and a pure form of alcohol. According to another theory, however, the punch recipe was made up of entirely different ingredients, which involved using water, lemons, sugar, arrack, and tea.

And then there are those who say that the word punch was most probably pronounced as ‘poonch’, as it is still done in northern parts of England, and hence, its Indian origins are not probable, particularly since the number of ingredients have never been as fixed at any time. Furthermore, according to various early references of the word, it is shown that punch was especially a drink favored by seamen, and therefore the suggestion is that it may not have originated in India, but perhaps on the way there, with the sailors abbreviating the word ‘puncheon’ to ‘punch’.

These days, the ingredients that make up punch recipes are usually spirits or wine with hot water, tea or milk, which is flavored with sugar, some cordial or spice, and lemon. Amongst all the alcoholic spirits that work beautifully well with punch, rum is the one that is the most popular, and amongst the fruits, it is lime that is usually used.

So, here are some really easy punch recipes for you to enjoy:

Minty Julep Punch

3 1/4 cups bourbon
1 cup mint jelly
1/2 cup limejuice
6 cups pineapple juice
4 cups water
7 cups lime soda
Ice mold
A few sprigs of fresh mint leaves
Lemon slices

Before mixing the ingredients, they should be chilled well. Put two cups of water and mint jelly in a saucepan, and heat it, stirring until the jelly melts. Then allow it to cool. Then add the limejuice, pineapple juice, bourbon and the rest of the water. Then chill this mixture. When serving, pour the chilled mixture on top of a block of ice, and then gradually pour in the soda, while stirring. Use fresh mint leaves and slices of lemon to garnish.

Gingery Rum Punch

1 1/2 cups rum
1 large piece of ginger, fresh and chopped
5 cups pineapple juice, unsweetened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup water
2 liters grapefruit soda
4-5 cups club soda

All the ingredients need to be chilled before they are mixed. Put the ginger, water, and brown sugar in a saucepan and heat it until it boils. Then, lowering the heat, allow it to simmer for around 15-20 minutes. Then let it cool. Strain the liquid to extract the ginger from it, and then pour it into a punch bowl. Add the pineapple juice and the rum. Then, just before it is served, add in the club soda and grapefruit soda. Add an ice mold, and serve on crushed ice.

Rum Punch Tropicana

3 cups light rum or Malibu Rum to taste
2 cups coconut milk
6 cups pineapple juice, unsweetened
8 cups guava nectar
1 cup limejuice, fresh

All the ingredients should be chilled before they are mixed. Put all the ingredients in a large sized punch bowl and mix them all well. Add a block of ice or an ice mold, and serve on crushed ice.

Divine Wine Punch

10 cups claret wine
3 cups lemon juice, fresh
1 1/2 cups brandy
1 1/2 cups orange liqueur
4 cups club soda
Powdered sugar or sugar syrup
Ice mold

All the ingredients should be chilled before mixing. Add the sugar or sugar syrup to the lemon juice to sweeten it, and pour it into a punch bowl. Then, add the wine, brandy, and orange liqueur, and mix well. Just before serving, add the club soda. Add an ice mold.

Easy Strawberry Punch

1 can frozen strawberry juice concentrate, (12 fluid ounce)
1 can pineapple juice, (46 fluid ounce)
1 liter ginger ale
3 cups water

Combine the strawberry juice, pineapple juice, and water in a punch bowl, and chill. Just before serving, add the ginger ale into it. Add an ice mold, and serve on crushed ice.