Champagne punch adds sparkle to bridal shower
When my cousin asked me to be her maid of honor more than a year
ago in February 2009, I wasn’t really sure what it would entail. I
soon figured out it meant going with her for cake-tastings,
bridal-favor shopping, wedding-shoe shopping and more. Many a
weekend has been devoted to helping ensure all the details go off
without a hitch
– and there are still a five weeks to go.
But one of my biggest duties as maid of honor was planning the
bridal shower I hosted with friends and family at a home in Gilroy
last Sunday. I knew my cousin had high expectations and a long
guest list for the event so there was plenty of pressure to make
everything as perfect as possible.
Champagne punch adds sparkle to bridal shower
When my cousin asked me to be her maid of honor more than a year ago in February 2009, I wasn’t really sure what it would entail. I soon figured out it meant going with her for cake-tastings, bridal-favor shopping, wedding-shoe shopping and more. Many a weekend has been devoted to helping ensure all the details go off without a hitch – and there are still a five weeks to go.
But one of my biggest duties as maid of honor was planning the bridal shower I hosted with friends and family at a home in Gilroy last Sunday. I knew my cousin had high expectations and a long guest list for the event so there was plenty of pressure to make everything as perfect as possible.
So in worrying about bridal shower games, shower favors, decorations and something my cousin calls the “wow factor,” the one thing I wasn’t worried about was the food and drinks. With 40 people attending, the other bridesmaids and I decided to mix up some homemade items with foods from a deli and bakery. We went with Gayle’s Bakery, from Capitola, for a chocolate cake with banana filling and a white cake with strawberry filling. For sandwich triangles, we ordered from Erik’s deli. The rest of the food was made at home.
As for drinks, I decided to make the peach sangria I discovered in a “Something Extra” magazine a few years ago. For anyone who is not a wine drinker, this sweet concoction only has a hint of the rose wine that is used in it since it mixes in fresh fruit, peach brandy and peach nectar. Since a bridal shower is a special occasion, I also found a recipe for a champagne punch to add a little sparkle to the day.
Champagne punch
Recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse
1 1/3 c. fresh lemon juice
1 c. superfine sugar
1/2 c. orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
1/2 c. Triple Sec
1/2 c. cognac
1/2 c. fresh orange juice
2 bottles chilled dry Champagne or sparkling wine
Orange or lemon slices
Fresh strawberries, optional
Combine the lemon juice, sugar, orange liqueur, Triple Sec, cognac, and orange juice in a non-reactive bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the Champagne and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
Pour into a decorative bowl or pitcher. Garnish with orange or lemon slices and fresh strawberries, if desired. Serve in Champagne flutes, wine glasses, or punch cups.
Georgia Peach Sangria
Recipe courtesy of Raley’s ‘Something Extra
1 (11.5-oz.) can peach nectar
1/2 c. peach flavored brandy
1/3 c. lime juice
1/4 c. sugar
1 (750-ml.) bottle Hard Head Cellars California Rose
1½ c. lime flavored sparkling water
Peach and lime slices (for garnish)
Stir together juices, liqueur and sugar until sugar has dissolved.
Place all ingredients, except sparkling water or champagne, in a pitcher or jug and chill until ready to serve.
Just before serving, add sparkling water or champagne.
Pour over ice-filled glasses and garnish with fruit slices.
Make sangrias ahead and let them steep for a few hours for maximum flavor.
Everyone’s taste buds are different. Adjust the sweetness level by adding more sugar and/or lime juice.
Kids punch
2 c. orange juice
2 c. Hawaiian punch
2 c. pineapple juice
2 c. lemon-lime soda
Orange slices
pineapple chunks
Freeze orange juice in an ice cube tray and reserve the rest of the juice. Mix together the Hawaiian punch, pineapple juice and remaining orange juice. Add in orange slices and pineapple chunks. Just before serving add in orange juice ice cubes.
