Name: Hot Non-Alcoholic Punch
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 1 pot
Ingredients: 1 l apple juice drink; 500 ml orange juice; 250 ml water; 3 tablespoons honey; 1 pc lemon; 1 pc oranges; 1 pc apples; 2 pcs cinnamon; 5 pcs cloves; 2 pcs star anise; 3 pcs allspice; 20 g ginger; oranges; cinnamon

Step by step process

Preparing the Fruit and Spices

1
Thoroughly wash the orange and lemon in hot water and pat dry to remove any wax from the skin. Slice half of the orange and half of the lemon into thin rounds for serving, and keep the other halves for juicing.
2
Wash the apple, remove the core, and cut into small cubes or thin slices that will release their sweet, fruity flavour into the punch. Peel the ginger and cut into thin slices.
3
Place the whole spices, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and allspice, into a piece of muslin cloth or a tea strainer. If you leave them loose in the pot, be prepared to strain the punch at the end.

Brewing the Punch

4
Pour the apple juice and orange juice into a large pot along with the water and place over medium heat. Stir in the honey and mix until it has completely dissolved in the liquid.
5
Add all the whole spices, ginger slices, and apple pieces. Squeeze in the juice from half the lemon and half the orange, you can also toss the peels into the pot for a more intense aroma.
6
Bring the punch just below the boiling point, but NEVER let it come to a rapid boil, it would turn bitter and lose its delicate fruity flavour. Reduce the heat and let it steep for 15 minutes at around 80 °C, allowing the spices to fully infuse.
TIP:
Bloom on medium heat (60-80 °C) for about 15 minutes. When you see the first steam rising from the pot, that's the right temperature. Exceeding 85 °C extracts bitter compounds and the punch will turn bitter.

Serving

7
Strain the finished punch through a fine sieve into a second pot or pitcher to remove the spices and peels. Taste and add a little more honey if needed, or a squeeze of lemon juice for balanced acidity.
8
Ladle the hot punch into heatproof glasses or mugs, and place an orange slice and a cinnamon stick in each portion as both decoration and an aromatic garnish.
9
Serve the punch immediately while it is piping hot. It pairs wonderfully with Christmas cookies, gingerbread, or outdoor gatherings in cold weather.

More tips:

If you want to liven up the punch for adults, add a shot of rum or brandy into the mug after pouring, the base remains alcohol-free and suitable for children and drivers alike.

You can make the punch ahead of time, let it cool, and gently reheat it before serving, the spice flavours will deepen as it sits.

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