Christmas punch

Today I fondly remember the Christmas punch that our friend and great cook Àngels Pallàs taught us to prepare. It is a classic cocktail with an Anglo-Saxon inspiration, ideal for breaking the ice and starting to introduce the festive Christmas spirit to our guests.

I remember that day well: Ángels gave us a master class in a training session at our showroom, We Love Cooking. It was a delicious meal, thought out with great attention to detail, and a cocktail to welcome our guests could not be missing.

I'm sure many of you can remember a celebration or gathering where a large cocktail shaker filled with ice and often fruit was displayed, and glasses were served to warm up. That's exactly what I bring you today! A delicious punch to light up the Christmas spirit at home when family and friends arrive. Unlike other classic European punches, which are served hot, this punch is designed to be served cold - so it's refreshing and light and encourages everyone to start nibbling on the starters that can accompany the table.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of red berries (you can buy them frozen in bags at the supermarket or frozen food stores)
• 150 cc maple syrup
• 2 cups of red wine
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 vanilla pod, split in half
• The skin of half a lemon
• 1 tablespoon of peppercorns (we will crush the grains by pressing them with the flat blade of a knife)
• Salt
• 2 cups of very cold sparkling water (Seltz or siphon type)
• 2 cups of very cold pineapple juice
• 1 bottle of semi-chilled cava Ice (large cubes)

Preparation:

1. About three or four hours before the meal, put the berries, maple syrup, sugar, vanilla, lemon peel, pepper and salt in a saucepan. Bring to the boil for about 3 or 4 minutes and set aside in the punch bowl.
2. Just before serving the cocktail, add the cava, pineapple juice, sparkling water and ice. Mix with a spoon and that's it!

Grades:

• On ice - It's even better if we make a giant ice cube using a lunch box or a large container so that it doesn't dilute so easily in the cocktail.
• When serving, you can apply a sugar rim to the glasses or goblets you're serving in. To do this, simply moisten the rim with a slice of lemon, and immediately invert the glass onto a tray with a dusting of sugar or brown sugar. The sugar rim adds a pretty presentation, and a delicious sweet note on the first sip.