1bottle1 liter ginger ale or club soda (4¼ cups), chilled
2cupslight rum16 oz, if desired
Instructies
In 12-cup fluted tube cake pan, arrange orange pieces, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and mint to look like a holiday wreath.
Carefully pour enough of the 1½ quarts water along edge of pan to touch at least part of all decorations without dislodging them.
Freeze about 1 hour or until firm.
Add enough water to completely cover decorations.
Freeze until completely frozen, about 3 hours.
Keep frozen until serving time.
Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, mix simple syrup ingredients.
Cook over medium-low heat about 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until simmering, liquid is clear and spices are fragrant.
Cool to room temperature.
Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours or until cold.
Strain syrup; discard solids.
Refrigerate until serving time.
In medium microwavable bowl, heat 3 cups water until very hot but not boiling.
Add tea bags; let stand 5 minutes to steep.
Remove tea bags; discard.
Cool tea to room temperature.
Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours or until cold.
In large punch bowl, stir together tea, simple syrup, juices and lemonade concentrate.
Stir in ginger ale and rum.
Briefly run outside of cake pan under warm water; invert pan to remove ice wreath.
Gently slip ice wreath into punch.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Make-Ahead Magic
The flavor of the Fragrant Simple Syrup improves if it rests overnight in the refrigerator. In fact, you can keep it in the fridge up to 1 week before making the punch. The Ice Wreath can also be made ahead and kept in the freezer up to 1 month.