apple cider rum punch

 

today is national rum punch day & i am sharing the recipe for a fall inspired rum punch!!! cue: apple cider. i honestly can't get enough apple cider in the fall. i am surrounded by several apple orchards that sells fresh cider. it is just so good. can enjoy it both hot & cold, but these days cold because we are getting july like weather over here. i just want to be wearing my wool sweaters & leather boots again! anyways, back to this rum punch. it is made with fresh local cider, a little rum, a stevia infused simple syrup to allow for no added sugar AND a good old splash of zevia's ginger ale. zevia's ginger ale is also sugar free as it is made with stevia too. plus the ginger taste so good with apple cider & adds the perfect amount of fiz to the punch! you are going to need this punch today to cool down if you are experiencing any of the weather we are.

cheers! xo

ingredients

for the apple cider rum punch

  • 1 cup light rum
  • 3 cups apple cider (100% juice, no sugar added)
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 cup zevia's ginger ale
  • 1 cup thyme + lemon simple syrup (see recipe below)
  • apple slices, for garnish
  • lemon slices, for garnish
  • fresh thyme, for garnish

for the thyme + lemon simple syrup

  • 1 cup liquid stevia (approx. 1 teaspoon stevia to 1 cup water)
  • 1 cup water
  • 5-6 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 lemon, sliced

directions

for the apple cider rum punch

  • in a large pitcher stir together the rum, apple cider, lemon juice, zevia ginger ale & simple syrup. fill remaining space with ice. when serving, garnish with apple slice, lemon slice & fresh thyme.

for the thyme + lemon simple syrup

  • in a sauce pot over medium heat add the stevia, water, thyme, lemon zest & lemon. bring to a gentle simmer and stir until stevia dissolves. remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. strain liquid and store in a glass weck jar for up to two weeks.

citrus rum punch

 

spring is in the air! as a winter lover i am a little sad to see spring come THIS early, but i am going to embrace it. i am already thinking about all the spring & easter recipes i can make with the fresh produce that will soon be out. the one major thing i miss in the winter is the fruit. luckily citrus is available year round, so finding that perfect lemon or lime shouldn't be a problem. it is actually at its best in the winter months!

this punch is like the end of winter & the start of spring in a beautifully coloured drink. it is bright, vibrant & the different colours of the grapefruit, orange & lime make for the prettiest colour combination. i used all pure fruit juices & added in grapefruit citrus zevia for the fizz. it is sweetened naturally with stevia making it zero calories! the grapefruit citrus is also so good on its own, it is my new favourite soda to drink. if you wanted to make this virgin for a child friendly event or baby shower (i am sure we all have quite a few of those this season), just leave out the rum! it makes for a refreshing virgin punch too.

ingredients

  • 2 cups grapefruit citrus zevia
  • 2 cups pure orange juice
  • 2 cups pure grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 cup white rum (leave out if you want to make a virgin punch)
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 grapefruit, thinly sliced
  • 1 lime, thinly sliced
  • 1 bunch of mint, roughly chopped
  • ice, for serving

directions

  • fill a large pitcher or dispenser halfway with ice.
  • add the grapefruit citrus zevia, orange juice, grapefruit juice & white rum. give it a good stir!
  • top with sliced orange, grapefruit, lime & mint.