This year’s Big Game players have been announced! Though most of us will have beer to serve, what about a flavorful punch to boot? An ice mold in the middle will look festive and will dissolve slower than individual ice cubes. Here are three super punches for your super party:

Lime-A-Rita Punch

Since you probably already have some Corona chilling for your party, why not add it to a margarita-like punch?

2 Cups Sauza Blanco Tequila
1 Cup Tito’s Vodka
½ Cup Triple Sec
3 12-oz Corona Mexican Beers
3 Cans Frozen Limeade (Thawed but still slushy)
3 Liters Club Soda
Juice of One Fresh Lime
3 Limes (Cut into wheels)

Add all ingredients into a large punch bowl and stir. Serve over ice in a pint glass, with a lime wheel garnish.

Blueberry Splash

This year’s game is going to be at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, so why not show a little Jersey spirit at your party, without going all “Jersey Shore.” Blueberries are New Jerseys #1 fruit crop (followed closely by cranberries), so try this delicious punch that incorporates both flavors!

2 Cups Stoli Blueberry Vodka
1 Cup Smirnoff Cranberry Vodka
½ Cup Triple Sec
1 Bottle Chilled Prosecco
1 64-oz Bottle Cranberry Juice
Fresh or Frozen Blueberries

Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl and stir. Serve in a tall Collins glass over ice with 3 blueberries on a pick as garnish.

Mid-Winter Warm Up Punch

This one is a bit more complex, but it’s been “so cold in the D” that I thought a warm spice punch served in the crock pot would be a welcoming sight for your guests.

1 Orange
4 Whole Cloves
4 Cups Apple Juice
1 Cup Laird’s Apple Jack (From New Jersey)
1 Cup Bourbon
¼ Cup Honey
¼ tsp Nutmeg
3 TBSP Lemon
2 Cups Pineapple Juice
1 Cinnamon Stick

Jam cloves evenly around the circumference of the orange and bake the clove-studded orange for 20 minutes in a 350-degree oven. In a large sauce pan, combine apple juice and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Be careful when adding alcohol near a flame. Transfer all ingredients into a large warmed crock pot and keep at medium low with studded orange floating in the punch.

I may be one of the many people who watch the Big Game for the commercials, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy all of the super drinks and food! I hope you try out my punches at your party and may the best commercial, uh, I mean team, win!

Enjoy!

– Jennifer Laurie