Patriotic Punch

     Every year we attend an Independence Day celebration/cook-out at the home of some friends.  I volunteered to bring drinks and found this neat punch recipe on Pinterest.  It is super simple to make, but I don't think it tastes very good.  In the future I will use a smaller jar and just make enough to create the neat effect. 

 

Patriotic Punch

Cranberry Juice Cocktail

Blue Frost Gatorade

Diet 7-Up

Ice

Fill the container with ice. (I did not have an endless supply and did have a very large container, so I did not fill it up all the way.)  Pour the cranberry juice cocktail in first.  Next, slowly add the blue Gatorade Frost.  (VERY SLOWLY!  And pour right onto ice cubes to prevent mixing of the layers.  If you try to rush this you will end up with lavender punch.)  Finally, gently pour the Diet 7-Up on top.  (Slowly!)

     I noticed some distinct Pros and Cons to this punch.  Pro - it looks really cool and does not take any prep to make.  Con - the taste really depends on what layer you are currently at.  Also, the white layer is not really visible up close or when you are looking down at the punch.  Notice that effect in the first picture?     

     If I was making this punch again, I would try to experiment with a clear/white beverage that could sit between the red and the blue.  The layers stay separate because of the sugar contents of the drinks.  Cranberry juice cocktail has a large amount of sugar, so it sits on the bottom.  The blue Gatorade contains less sugar so it sits on top.  The Diet 7-Up has even less if any, so it can sit on the very top.  Any thoughts about different drink combos?  Maybe regular 7-Up on top of the cranberry?  Or that is too much sugar, mix Diet 7-Up and regular? 

     When all was said and done, we had a fun afternoon with family and friends! :)

 

Bill, Patrick, and Joe rockin' white, red, and blue!