A childhood mainstay with an adult twist. This refreshing punch is made from a combination of sweet juices, frozen lemonade, and a few other simple ingredients. In its original form, ginger ale provides a fizz to its flavor. However, in this grown-up twist on a family classic, ginger ale is replaced by sparkling wine to supply its effervescence.
Pink Is My Signature Color
Pink Drink has been a time-honored tradition in my family for as long as I can remember. The ingredients are simple: pineapple juice, orange juice, frozen lemonade, and a packet of cherry Kool-Aid lends the drink its signature color: Pink. To my recollection, this drink has been served at nearly every birthday party in our family: including my own. Since May is my birthday month, it seemed like the perfect time to share this family punch recipe with all of you.
Pink, It’s Like Red, But Not Quite
According to the law, I am legally an adult, and have been for some time. That being said, I often don’t feel like a grownup. However, I am grateful for one of the few perks of being over 21: Booze.
Traditionally, this punch was served at children’s birthday parties and other family gatherings, sans alcohol. But sometimes, a sugary juice-based concoction just isn’t enough to set a celebratory mood. So I am taking it upon myself to update my family’s Pink Drink recipe with the addition of rum and sparkling wine. Depending on your preference and the occasion, you may substitute vodka for the rum, or leave out the alcohol altogether.
A Rose By Any Other Name
Pink Drink has gone through several different names throughout its history within my lineage. If you have read some of my other blog posts, you are aware of the cookbook that my mom and grandma created for my sisters and I. Included in this book are not only recipes, but the chronicles behind many of our family’s culinary creations.
An excerpt from that cookbook, written by my late, great Grandma Nancy, explains the origins of this punch recipe and reads as follows:
“Our family first tasted this drink at my cousin, Suetta Easter, and Bill Ward’s wedding in August 7, 1954. I had gone to the wedding, held in a small country church north of Ashmore, the town where my dad’s brother & [his family] lived. I went to the wedding with Mom and Dad. I was impressed with everything, but Mom especially liked the punch. So she got the recipe and from that time on, it was the drink we made for all of our special occasions…”
Nancy Easter-Shick
So initially, the drink was referred to as: “Suetta Easter & Bill Ward’s Wedding Punch,” by my family. That name must have lasted for several years (before my time) until later, when my grandmother joined the Historic Preservation Society in our hometown of Charleston, IL. She was asked to bring this beverage, and did so, prominently displaying it on the refreshments table for her Historic Preservation Society meetings. (In addition to several other events she was involved in.) Thus, this delectable drink was lovingly referred to as: “Preservation Punch,” for many years.
Preservation of history was very important to my grandmother. Not only safeguarding the history of the town and state in which most of us resided in, but also our personal family history. She kept an archive of old photos, antiquated newspaper clippings, and some historically-significant (albeit, creepy) figurines. She had collected so many important items over time that she dedicated an entire room in her home to her historical treasures, named: “The Archive Room.” A room which my mother lovingly preserved until its eventual donation to the Coles County Genealogical Society, after my grandmother’s passing.
But don’t let the lack of originality in that particular room’s title fool you. My grandma was extremely creative. Not to mention talented, and smart. Not only smart, but wise. Wise beyond her years. Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that she immersed herself in so much history. It’s almost like she somehow absorbed the knowledge of all of those who came before her, soaking it in, and became some sort of superhero. Larger than life. < Insert BSB lyrics here > At least that’s how she seemed to me.
In case you are interested, I am including the link to the Journal Gazette & Times Courier article on the donation of my grandmother’s archival documentation to the local genealogical society below.
Hi, My Name Is
Just like many of the legacies I observe in my family history, my grandma’s creativity is apparent in so many members of my family. I see it in all of my cousins, the careers and hobbies they have chosen, the things they have written; my uncle’s undoubtable skills in making dishes that are not only delicious, but nearly (only nearly) too beautiful to eat; my little sister’s impeccable taste when it comes to fashion and beauty, her attention to detail in each and every perfect tableau of her home decor; my older sister’s incredible ability to plan events and parties (both professionally and personally), giving so much thought to each individual’s tastes and preferences, taking them to heart; seeing my mom’s home and table, all carefully created for each holiday, each person, thoughtfully & beautifully crafted for the occasion at hand…
Not to mention the fact that my mom came up with the idea to create a cookbook, which would eventually serve as the impetus for this very blog. A cookbook containing all of our recipes, passed down through the generations, including not only tips and directives from her and my grandma, but also the history behind each family favorite.
The creativity can also be seen in the creation of our playlists. I know I’ve mentioned music playlists before, but my family (all of my family) is extremely adept at composing a music playlist to set the mood, any mood.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, what an incredible legacy I come from, and sincerely hope to continue.
Now is the time when we get to the good part, folks. And by that, I mean, we get to talk about me (“Wanna talk about I, wanna talk about number one, oh my-me-my”), again. My grandma’s notes about this punch go on (& who am I to disagree?) to state:
“Kirstin (Tiger Flake), at an early age, gave the punch the name: Pink Drink, which has stuck throughout the years.”
Nancy Easter-Shick
That’s right! Yours truly gave this delicious punch the name it still carries to this day. What a wordsmith, at such a young age. I mean, it’s almost like I was destined to write blog posts, later in life …
As for the nickname: “Tigerflake,” I am going to let the origins of this alias remain a mystery, for now.
Pink Drink Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- Two large cans of pineapple juice (46 oz. each)
- One 52 oz. carton of orange juice
- One 8 oz. can of frozen lemonade
- One pack of cherry flavored Kool-Aid
- Two-three cups sugar (according to taste)
- 4 cups of water
- Crushed ice
- Two bottles semi-dry champagne or sparking wine, chilled
- One 750 mL bottle of white rum (or vodka, if preferred)
- Optional : Fresh fruit slices, maraschino cherries, and/or edible flowers
If you wish to make the traditional version of the “Pink Drink” punch recipe, substitute the champagne/sparkling wine with two (2 liter) bottles of ginger ale and omit the rum (duh).
Instructions
- Mix the first six ingredients together in a large container, preferably with a lid. I remember that my Grandma used to use one of those gigantic orange Igloo coolers that were shaped like a barrel with a spout on the front. However, that would only be used to store the punch. Always one to make presentation a priority, she would serve the Pink Drink in a crystal punch bowl, often with fresh fruit and/or edible flowers as a cheery garnish, floating atop the bright pink waves of the beverage.
- Stir the ingredients thoroughly and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Once the party is about to start, mix in the white rum (or vodka). At this point, you may need to add another cup of sugar to the punch, according to your taste.
- If serving in the container it currently resides in, simply add the crushed ice at this point and top it all off with one bottle of semi-sweet champagne/sparkling wine. Save the second bottle to continually refresh the punch with its sweet sparkling fizz throughout the party.
- If desired, you may transfer the Pink Drink to a punch bowl or clear glass pitchers before adding the ice. Always add the champagne/sparkling wine last, as close to serving as possible. For an added festive touch, place fresh fruit slices, cherries, and/or edible flowers in the punch bowl and individual glasses surrounding the drink.
