Punch up your picnic

Cool, fruity drinks can add zip to any party

Lakeside, mountainside, beachside or right in your own backyard, a picnic is a summer tradition. Many of us are planning a picnic or alfresco dining to celebrate the July 4 holiday.

The food can be as simple as sandwiches, or burgers and hot dogs, served upon the quintessential Americana-red-andwhite-checkered gingham or plastic cloth.

Or, it could be a multi-course culinary extravaganza serving up epicurean delights, presented on fine china and paired with wine, served in glass stemware. One couple set a candelabra as the centerpiece on their beautiful quilted blanket at an open-air performance I attended. Their setup added to the romantic setting on that hilltop.

At many picnics, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are served from punch bowls. Curious to learn about the history of the punch bowl, I picked up a copy of Kimberly Whitman’s book, “Parties Around A Punch Bowl,” (2018, Gibbs-Smith, $21.99). Whitman, a lifestyle and entertaining expert writes, “One of the best things about punch is that you can’t mess it up! It is meant to be mixed together, tasted, adjusted, and added to during the party. Punch is an evolving concoction that continues to change until the party is over.”

Some historians believe punch began in India in the 17th century, where punch bowls were first used. Five ingredients, a liquor, sugar, lemon, water and spices or tea were the recipe for the first punch. Paanch is what it was called since it means “five” in Hindi. Punch bowls are made from various materials and available in all price ranges; from plastic and glass, to porcelain and silver. Those who want to be creative can make their own punchbowl from a watermelon.

Whitman’s book not only includes recipes for punch, but other delights, you might want to try this summer and throughout the year. She creates festive party ideas, organized around a punch bowl: an Easter egg hunt, a classic blue and white party, a fall gathering, a holiday breakfast coffee, and for other seasonal occasions.

If you are looking for the perfect picnic spot in Connecticut check out: Old Lighthouse Museum, Stonington; Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam; Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Mystic; DiGrazia Vineyards, Brookfield; Kent Falls State Park, Kent; People’s State Forest, Barkhamsted; Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Norfolk; Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison; Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden; Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill; Saltwater Farm Vineyard, Stonington; Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven; Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford.

JerSean Golatt from “Parties Around a Punch Bowl” by Kimberly Schlegel Whitman. Reprinted with permission of Gibbs Smith Kicky watermelon punch is served in a carved watermelon.

Mango Guacamole stuffed in mini bells.

“Parties Around A Punch Bowl” by Kimberly Whitman. (2018, Gibbs-Smith, $21.99).

STEPHEN FRIES