RECIPE - STRAWBERRY PUNCH

Fun way to serve a crowd - like a cocktail but without the hassle of mixing individual drinks. To make this a non-alcoholic punch simply omit the alcohol and mix a little extra sparkling water with the citrus cordial and strawberries, to taste.    Serves 4.

Use large blocks of ice in punch as they don't melt as fast as ice cubes, meaning you can control the flavour.

1 lemon, quartered, pips removed one orange, quartered pips removed

50 g raw sugar

200 mls Grand Marnier

200 mls Brandy

500 g strawberries, hulled and sliced

Blocks of ice

Handful of mint leaves

750 mls sparkling wine

sparkling water to taste

Blitz the lemon and orange quarters in a food processor with 1 tablespoon of water. Transfer citrus pulp to a saucepan with the sugar and 350 mls water. Simmer for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves.

Remove from the heat and let cool. Strain, squeezing out the juice.

This is the citrus syrup and can be made up to a week in advance.

Mix citrus syrup with Grand Marnier, brandy, and strawberries in a large bowl. To serve add ice, mint, and sparkling wine, or sparkling water to taste.

Recipe courtesy the Fiona Smith/Cuisine, NZ Gardener Garden Diary