Elderflower-Champagne Punch

Photo credit: Everyday Food/Johnny Miller

In springtime, living in the moment can be a challenge. Already yearning for promise of a warm future—summer!—we’re all-too-often unable to enjoy the season’s cool-weather pleasures. But just wait. Soon we’ll be stuck in summer’s sweltering grasp, realizing we didn’t know how good we once had it.

You have it good right now! Celebrate with a casual garden party and a generous bowl of springy punch. Try this floral and citrusy elderflower-Champagne number, which gets a tart kick from cranberry juice. Best part: The effervescence from the Champagne breezily kicks the class up a notch without feeling too fussy. After all, punch is for drinking in a relaxed setting among friends.

And yes, you can drink this when summer’s heat advisories are in effect. But don’t think about that just yet.

Elderflower-Champagne Punch
from Everyday Food
Serves 10

1 cup lemon juice (from 8 lemons)
1/2 cup superfine sugar
2 bottles (750 ml each) chilled Champagne or other sparkling wine
1 cup chilled cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain

1. In a punch bowl, stir together lemon juice and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add wine, cranberry juice cocktail, and elderflower liqueur; stir gently to combine. To serve, top with lemon slices.