Cocktail Carnival -- Holiday Cheer Punch

Do you have a large group coming over and want a simple -- and fairly inexpensive -- party punch with a Christmas flavor? Try our Holiday Cheer Punch. Three ingredients (excluding ice) ... it doesn't get much easier than that. You can prepare enough for a dozen in less than five minutes and for less than $20.

A variation of this is served at a party we assist with each year. It's not too sweet and not too worrisome on the DUI front. Try it for yourself.

Ingredients

2 bottles of champagne (keep it cheap ... no one will know or can tell)
2 cans of frozen cranberry juice (or two jars)
2 limes

Instructions

Mix champagne and frozen, undiluted cranberry juice. Slice lime as a garnish (red drink + green garnish = Christmas colors). Mix right before serving to retain the bubbles. If using in a large punch bowl, add a half-bag of ice.

Each recipe will serve a couple of drinks for about 12 people. You can also add a pint of vodka per recipe (or slightly less) to "kick it up a notch." You can hold the vodka and champagne for a perfect nonalcoholic punch as well -- although you might want to consider some nonalcoholic champagne, club soda or 7-Up to give it some fizz. It can also make the perfect breakfast drink for Christmas morning.

Cheers!