Creamy Strawberry Apple Punch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

Ingredient Quantity
For the Punch Base:
Apple juice or cider 4 cups
Fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled 2 cups
Pineapple juice (optional) 1 cup
Lemon-lime soda ½ cup
Vanilla extract 1 teaspoon
For the Creamy Layer:
Heavy cream or coconut cream 1 cup
Powdered sugar 2 tablespoons
Almond extract (optional) ½ teaspoon
Optional Garnishes:
Sliced strawberries As needed
Thin apple slices As needed
Fresh mint sprigs As needed
Whipped cream dollops As needed

Instructions:

Blend the Strawberry Mixture: In a blender, combine the 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, 4 cups apple juice, 1 cup pineapple juice (if using), and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend until the mixture is smooth. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds or pulp. Set this punch base aside.
Whip the Creamy Layer: In a mixing bowl, whip the 1 cup heavy cream with the 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and the optional ½ teaspoon almond extract until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip; the cream should still be light and airy. Transfer the whipped cream to a separate container and chill it in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the punch.
Assemble the Punch: Pour the blended strawberry-apple mixture into a large punch bowl. Gently stir in the ½ cup lemon-lime soda to add a fizzy touch. Avoid stirring too vigorously to keep the bubbles. To create the signature “creamy” effect, use a spoon to gently dollop spoonfuls of the chilled whipped cream mixture on top of the punch. For a marbled look, you can lightly swirl the cream into the punch with a skewer or spoon.
Garnish & Serve: Add any optional garnishes, such as sliced strawberries, thin apple slices, and fresh mint sprigs, to the punch bowl for a beautiful presentation. Serve the punch chilled, either as is or over ice.