Festive Summer Beverages

Christmas Fruit Punch

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar 600 ml boiling water 6 sprigs mint crushed fresh 900 ml orange juice fresh 600 ml cold black tea 900 ml pineapple juice 300 ml lemon juice fresh 3 L dry ginger ale 3 L lemonade 1 cup fresh strawberries chopped fresh 1 tray ice cubes *to serve Method: Dissolve sugar in boiling water and add crushed mint. Cool. Remove the crushed mint, then mix the sugar solution, cold tea and juices in a very large bowl. Decant into storage jugs and refrigerate until required. When ready to serve, mix with dry ginger ale and lemonade in roughly equal proportions, in a serving jug or glasses. Add ice and a few chopped strawberries and/or mint leaves if desired to garnish.

Watermelon-Basil Flavoured Water (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, plus some small leaves, for garnish 1 cup boiling water 4 cups cubed, seeded or seedless watermelon (1 pound) 4 cups cold water 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, plus thinly sliced wheels or half-moon slices of lime, for garnish Method: Place the 1/2 cup of basil leaves in a small pot or heatproof mug and pour the cup of boiling water over them. Use a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon to crush the basil leaves. Let steep and cool for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the watermelon and 2 cups of the cold water in a blender; purée until smooth. Strain through a finemesh strainer into a large pitcher, and discard the solids. Strain/discard the basil leaves from their water, then add that liquid to the pitcher, along with the remaining 2 cups of cold water and the lime juice, stirring to incorporate. Serve over ice, garnishing each portion with basil leaves and lime slices.