My paternal grandparents were prolific entertainers–not just for family parties but also for large-scale events, like this dance in support of our local Boys & Girls Club, which they hosted at their home. While neither of them cooked, my grandmother always made her special tutti-fruitti punch, something I remember with great fondness. I’m hopeful that we’ll feel comfortable enough to entertain a little this summer, but even if we don’t, this is something fun to make for a special day!

Ingredients

1 box or small bag of frozen strawberries

1 large can frozen orange juice

1 large can of undiluted pineapple juice

1 jar Maraschino cherries

1 liter ginger ale

The day before

Arrange the strawberries in a decorative metal Jello mold or ring (don’t use ceramic, porcelain, or glass). Fill 3/4 of the way full with water and freeze.

The day of

On the day of, combine the orange juice and pineapple juice in a punch bowl, adding the pineapple juice slowly until the orange juice is defrosted. Add the liquor from the Maraschino cherries. Immediately before your party/meal/etc., slowly add the ginger ale and stir so that the punch doesn’t froth. Add the Maraschino cherries. Remove the strawberry ice from the mold by placing the mold face-down on a plate and running hot water over the mold until the ice releases. Float on top of the punch bowl. Enjoy!

This picture is of Planter’s Punch at Coral Beach in Bermuda, but it looks so similar to the Tutti-Fruitti punch I couldn’t help but use it!