Kahlua Party Punch *

This is a punch bowl built for a party. Coffee liqueur, with its apple-and-coffee affinity at the heart of the drink, gets stirred together with apple juice concentrate and fresh lemon juice for a sweet-tart base, then lifted with sparkling apple juice, lemon-lime soda and a bottle of champagne for plenty of fizz.

The result is bright, bubbly and not too boozy, the coffee liqueur lending a mellow, grown-up depth behind the crisp apple. Floating it over a single large chunk of ice keeps it cold without watering it down the way a heap of small cubes would.

Garnished with thin lemon and orange slices, it looks as festive as it tastes. It scales easily for a crowd, and most of it can be mixed ahead with the bubbles added at the last minute.

Chef Tips

• Chill every ingredient thoroughly before mixing. A cold start keeps the punch refreshing without melting the ice fast.
• Use one large block of ice instead of cubes. It melts slowly and won’t dilute the punch.
• Add the champagne and soda last, right before serving, so the fizz stays lively.
• Stir gently once the bubbly goes in to preserve the carbonation.

Variations

• Skip the champagne and add more sparkling apple juice or club soda for an alcohol-free version.
• Swap lemon-lime soda for ginger ale for a spicier edge.
• Float fresh apple slices or cranberries in with the citrus for color.