Holiday Recipe! - Christmakwanzakah Punch

Not everyone celebrates "Christmas," so I wanted to make a seasonal punch with as much color and character as the human race itself.  On a separate note, my father, who is bed-bound this holiday season, is hard to buy presents for. He was hard to buy presents for before, but now that he is unable to eat or drink (except for via peg-tube) or generally be merry like the rest of us, the mission became even more difficult.  My mother realized we needed to bring the merriness and Christmas cheer to him!  She invited around 15 people to the house, instruments and all, to gather around his bed and sing Christmas carols which turned out to be a very warming and meaningful Christmas gift. Every person who came to sing also brought my mother and me (and Pip), Christmas cookies and holiday breads of every kind. We already had a carton of egg nog poured, but I wanted to offer a refreshing and festive punch as well for those who may not be a fan of the nog.  Piper absolutely loved it and ran around yelling "YUMMMMMM" after each sip.  It's sweet, tart, colorful, and smooth....and perfect when combined with rum (needless to say that part's not for the kids...then again, visions of sugarplums may very well dance in their heads).  I hope you enjoy as much as we did!  Happy holidays!

~Ingredients~

2 cans ginger ale
1/2 cup frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
2 cups orange juice
1 quart cranberry juice
1 cup sugar
1 pint rainbow sherbet

 ~Directions~

1.  In a large serving bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the sherbet and ginger ale. Mix well.  Add a few ice cubes to get it cooler if you plan on serving it quickly and the punch may not have adequate time to chill.

2.  Right before serving, add ginger ale and rainbow sherbet.
3.  If you wish to spike this punch, it is delicious with vodka or flavored rum.

I hope this comes in handy for any last-minute holiday parties!  Ok, back to wrapping a few last minute presents...ENJOY!