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June 13, 2012

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.

 

Vintage 1950s recipe page featuring 9 delightful party punch recipes, summer drinks
{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.


16 comments:

  1. These sound very refreshing. I might try the strawberry punch this weekend. I grew up on some sort of punch or another. My favorite is Hibiscus punch. So sweet and tart.

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  2. Oh yes, Oh yes! We will be testing and breaking these out... a few tonight perhaps at our "Mad Men going away party" that we are throwing for a few close friends!

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  3. weather-wise, today is dull and uninspiring over here in london. so, i would just LOVE to be ladling some of that plantation punch into a glass while out in the garden - it sounds dreamy!

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  4. i love these my dear!!!! :) i cant wait to make these for a get-together :) i always love the yummy vintage recipes you find, they are always so good!! :)

    wishing you an amazing day,
    TheRitzyFlapper

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  5. They seem so easy to make-I think I may attempt to try some soon!! Thanks for the great recipes!! xox Bunny

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  6. Hey, Jessica. Thanks (once again) for checking out my pics. I went ahead and copied the remaining two punch recipes: Rhubarb and Cranberry Tea Punch, onto the original flickr page for you.

    Cheers! :)

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  7. Oh, these sounds delicious and so pretty!~ Summer is already here in Oklahoma...I need some of this already!~

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  8. Thank you very much, alsis35, I completely appreciate your thoughtfulness - as I'm sure my lovely readers do, too. Your stream is a joy and never-ending source of vintage inspiration, thank you for all you give the vintage community.

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Your comment has warmed the recesses of my dark, shriveled heart. :D (No, seriously: I love that other people love these images as much as I do. So, you're welcome.)

      BTW, if I end up with any more incomplete recipe pages that interest you, feel free to let me know. My filing is a little more organized than it was when I started the flickr account, so finding stuff I already posted is usually pretty easy.

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  9. Yum...like the sound of these...I enjoy punch as long as it's not too sweet....some of these sound just right for sipping on a balmy night...thanks honey....

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  10. Recently I discovered your blog, and am so happy I did!! Always amazing to find more Canadian gals with vintage style :) You've got such incredible style!!

    This post is too fun, and those drink recipes are PERFECT for a vintage picnic event I'm throwing with a friend this weekend. Thank you for sharing them :)

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  11. These are wonderful, I love the tea ones. Alisis35's Flickr stream is amazing. x

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  12. Hi sweet ladies (and gent, hiya Mick!) thank you very much for all of your lovely comments. The weather here in Penticton, B.C. has been all over the place throughout the past few days (from a mere 5C to a sizzling 29, even thunderstorms and rainbows, oh my!), but as we head into the weekend, things are looking up and sunny - which means it's high time for delicious, refreshing beverages like these.

    @ Michelle Marie, thank you very much! I agree, there are not an overwhelming number of us vintage loving Canadian gals my any means, so we really need to find and support one another whenever possible.


    Tons of hugs & joyful weekend wishes to you all,
    ♥ Jessica

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  13. ah! i totally needed a punch recipe last week, but i was super frazzled and behind on my blog reading. that'll teach me! i ended up using my old stand by of frozen lemonade, ginger ale, fruit juice and a bit of water, with frozen berries floating around. quite similar to the strawberry punch, minus the tea!

    thank you for posting this, it will be great for my next guild party!

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  14. Thank you! Thank you! I was looking for a punch to serve in nursing home. So absolutely perfect!

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    1. You're sincerely welcome. I'm delighted to know this post will be helpful to you and the residents. Thank you for your lovely comment.

      Have a fabulous springtime,
      ♥ Jessica

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