Serving up seven delightful 1950s party punches

As the mercury bops ever higher up the the thermostat and summer's official return looms into sight (hard to believe it's less than two weeks away!), it's high time one started thinking about delicious ways to beat the infamous heat this season.

Ice water is a perpetual (and very healthy) classic of course, and sodas are a given for most people. Fruit juices and milkshakes can do the drink, too, but sometimes you want something a little fancier - a recipe that you've put together yourself and which you'd be pleased to share with any and all of your guests, no matter the occasion.

Enter the timeless beverage that is punch. The world punch can be applied to a vast array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic mixed drinks alike, and generally consists of a beverage made from various ingredients that is served in a punch bowl (or, in more recent years, a pitcher). It's usually consumed at social functions, but can just as easily be whipped up and brought for the family any ol' day of the week.

Punches are rarely complicated, and they needn't be expensive (especially if you stick to the booze-free versions, like those in today's post). People don't always make punch as often today as the once did, but I know that like myself, many of you are still devoted fans of this delicious category of drinks, so without further ado, allow me to present you with seven 1955s punch recipes, each of which is centered around Lipton tea.

 

{While this vintage recipe pages says it includes nine recipes, only seven are visible, leading me to believe that the remaining two appeared on a second page which the original Flickr poster did not scan and post in their stream. Nevertheless, seven - especially when they're as lovely as these tea based punches - is still plenty of great drink options to choose from. 1950s recipe booklet page via alsis35 on Flickr.}

Amongst these vintage drink recipes, one is sure to encounter something to please nearly every palette. There's Roman Punch, Plantation Punch, Tea Planter's Punch, Hospitality Tea Punch, Mint Tea Punch, Pineapple Punch, and the one that appeals most of all to me, Strawberry Tea Punch.

There's scarcely a meal or event out there - from bridal showers to weddings themselves, garden parties to birthday bashes that wouldn't be a stellar place to serve one or more of these appealing, crowd-friendly drinks.

So as we get ready to welcome summer once again in just a few days, be sure to arm yourself against the season's thirst provoking wrath this year by stirring up a pitcher - or punch bowl - of one of these thoroughly refreshing, easy-peasy 1950s party drinks.