2cupsfresh fruitsuch as pineapple, maraschino cherries, grapes, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries etc., cut into bite sized pieces
Garnish
lemonsthinly sliced
limesthinly sliced
club sodaadditional, as necessary
Special equipment
tube pan or bundt pan
punch bowlif you have a cake dish with a glass dome lid -- it's also a punch bow - turn the cake base upside down and place the dome upside down on on the base -- voila - a punch bowl!
Bring 4 cups of cold water to a boil and add the tea bags and set aside to steep.
Add sugar and remaining 1 cup water to a saucepan and bring to a boil, stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let the simple syrup cool for about 10 minutes.
Remove the tea bags from the tea (do not squeeze the tea bags).
Combine the simple syrup, tea and lemon and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate several hours until chilled or overnight. Refrigerate the pineapple juice, club soda and sparkling apple cider.
For the Ice Ring
In a tube pan or bundt pan, scatter the fruit evenly and pour the pineapple juice over to cover the fruit. Place the pan in the freezer and chill until solid, several hours or overnight.
To serve, pour the tea mixture, pineapple juice, sparkling apple juice and club soda into the punch bowl. Run hot water over the bottom of the tube or bundt pan for a few seconds to loosen the ice ring -- it should pop right out. Float the ice ring in the punch bowl. Scatter slices of lemons and limes over the punch. Serve.
Makes 28 half cup servings.
Notes
I have additional club soda available to add more fizz if the punch sits for longer periods, or if someone prefers a less sweet punch. For anyone preferring a spiked punch, add rum or sparkling wine to individual glasses.