Westbend Electric Coffee Urn

Nothing says “Party!” like yummy sips from a percolator. It’s the quintessential drink for any awesome gathering.  Mother always had a coffee urn in her entertaining arsenal ready for all the parties she hosted.

I’m on a personal journey to keep punch recipes alive and well.  It’s not just for baby showers and wedding receptions.  In honor of National Punch Day, I am sharing two of my very favorite hot punch recipes; one for fall and one perfect for Christmastime.

First, every hostess needs an electric coffee urn.  I have one of these in my party pantry.  They are perfect for making coffee, hot cocoa or iced tea for a crowd.  I throw the ingredients into the basket and in 20 minutes your hot punch is ready for your guests.  Places like Target and Walmart sell them for about $40-$50.

Hot Golden Fall Punch (from my 1987 copy of the Junior League of Austin “Necessities and Temptations”)

4 cups of unsweetened pineapple juice

1 12-oz can apricot nectar

4 cups of apple cider

1 cup of orange juice

2 cinnamon sticks

1/4 tsp of salt

1 tsp whole cloves

Pour juices into electric percolator.  Place remaining ingredients in basket and perk.  Serve steaming hot.  (without a percolator, pour juices in a large pot.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove spices).

Christmas Percolator Punch (I don’t have a source.  This is a handwritten recipe in my own personal recipe binder)

2 32-oz bottles of cranberry juice

1 46 oz can unsweetened pineapple juice

2 cups water

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 TBL whole allspice

2 TBL whole cloves

6 3″ sticks of cinnamon

Pour first 3 ingredients into a large percolator.  Place brown sugar and remaining ingredients in percolator basket.  Perk through complete cycle of electric percolator.  Yield:  1 Gallon.

I have a table on my front porch with an outlet nearby.  I love to set up my percolator on the porch with fun mugs and a sign for guests to start with punch when they arrive at the door.  They can smell the spices as they walk up to the porch and it’s so welcoming!  It’s different, unexpected and a special touch your guests will not forget.  Cheers!