Virgin Punch
The Virgin Punch is a non-alcoholic version of a classic sparkling punch, made with fresh grapefruit or blood orange juice, aromatic garnishes, a splash of ginger ale, and premium non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
Ingredients
1 bottle (750 ml) Non-Alcoholic Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay
120 ml (4 oz) Non-Alcoholic Lyre's Italian Orange Bitter
500 ml (16 oz) Pink Grapefruit juice or Blood Orange juice.
250 ml (8 oz) Ginger Ale or Club Soda (for extra fizz).
Garnish: Fresh raspberries, sliced limes, and sprigs of fresh mint.
Preparation
Combine the Chillers: In a large punch bowl or pitcher, stir together the grapefruit juice and the Lyre's Italian Orange.
Add the Bubbles: Gently pour in the chilled Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay and the ginger ale. Stir once, very slowly, to keep the carbonation alive.
Ice and Garnish: Add your ice (or a frozen fruit ring) and top with fresh raspberries, lime slices, and mint. Serve immediately in chilled coupes or punch glasses.
Preparation advice
Never use small ice cubes in a punch bowl; they melt too fast and turn your premium Noughty Chardonnay into a watery mess. Instead, freeze water in a Bundt pan or large Tupperware to create a giant ice block. It keeps the punch cold for hours with minimal dilution.
If you are serving this to a crowd that likes "dry" cocktails, use Pink Grapefruit juice. The natural bitterness of the grapefruit acts as a bridge between the Lyre's and the crisp Noughty Chardonnay, making the drink taste incredibly complex.
Don't just scatter the mint. Bunch it together near the serving side of the bowl. The scent of fresh mint as guests scoop their drink significantly enhances the flavor of the Italian Orange.