It is graduation time around The Intoxicologist house and all I have so far is one solid graduation punch recipe to get me through the first few party minutes. Teenagers have an appetite you know. At least this punch recipe has been teen tested and came out with a thumbs up, A+, made the grade stamp of approval from the graduate herself! Whew! Passed with flying colors.

Graduation Punch Recipe – Individual Serve

The Graduate – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Individual serving

2 ounces Fresh Orange Juice

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Orgeat (Almond Syrup)

1 ounce Ginger Ale

2 Lemon Slices

2 Whole Fresh Strawberries – Sliced or Quartered

Sugared Rim

Slide lemon wedge around lip of stemless wine glass. Dip into sugar. Gently shake off excess. Place layer of ice in bottom of glass. Add a few strawberry slices and one lemon slice. Top with another layer of ice. Add a few more strawberry slices and one lemon slice. Add a few more pieces of ice. Set aside. Your garnished glass should look a little like the one in the photo below.

Combine orange juice, lemon juice and Orgeat in cocktail shaker. Shake to blend. Pour over top of prepared garnished glass. Top with ginger ale. Add any remaining strawberry slices as decorative garnish on top.

Graduation Punch Recipe – Pitcher Serve

The Graduate Punch – recipe by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Pitcher Serve – 12 servings

24 ounces Fresh Orange Juice

6 ounces Fresh Lemon Juice

6 ounces Orgeat (Almond Syrup)

12 ounces Ginger Ale – chilled

12 Lemon Slices

12 Whole Fresh Strawberries

Sugared Rim

Slide lemon wedge around lip of stemless wine glass. Dip into sugar. Gently shake off excess. Set aside until ready to use. Refrigeration is ideal.

Combine juices and Orgeat in pitcher. Stir until Orgeat syrup is completely incorporated into mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Add ginger ale to pitcher and stir just before serving. Place ice in sugar rimmed glasses. Pour 4 ounces of Grad Punch into each glass. Garnish with lemon slice and pierced strawberry.

The Graduate recipe was created specifically with my youngest daughter in mind. She graduates from high school in a few days. In a few short months she ventures off to college several hours away. Cheers to young lives spreading their wings to begin new adventures!

Add Your Comment: What advice would you give to a first year college student?

All content ©2013 Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist. All Rights Reserved. Chat with Cheri @Intoxicologist on Twitter and facebook.com/Intoxicologist or str8upcocktails@gmail.com