Recipes

[FunkyHulaGirl]

OK, so it's a little late in the season for this (for most of us), but this is just too cute! Someone posted it on my FB wall, and I have a set of dishes with seashells embossed around the edges that would be perfect to use when serving these drinks.

Catch of the Day: Fishbowl Punch

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I first noticed it on Pinterest, and followed the link to Maxim magazine. The cocktail is basically a slightly-altered Blue Hawaiian – in a fish bowl, with candy. And I am 100% in favor of that. What’s more fun than a giant, yummy, candy-filled drink with a whole lotta straws?

Also love that it’s super easy, can be made (mostly) ahead of time, and has enough of a visual impact that guests won’t notice a few loose ends. Such as, I haven’t swept the patio, and there are a few pokey little weeds coming up over there by the fountain. Not that I’m recommending Fishbowl Punch as a substitute for appropriate yard care, just saying…

This recipe is actually a modified double batch of the recipe that appeared in Maxim. I modified it because the original recipe includes a lot of pineapple juice, AND sweet-and-sour. It was really yellow and just wouldn’t get blue enough. The resulting cocktail was more “Creature from the Black Lagoon” than “Finding Nemo.”

So to remedy that, the pineapple was reduced a touch and a drop of blue food coloring was added. Of course, the recipe is also easily adaptable for your taste, swapping out the coconut rum, or the vodka, or using a fruit-flavored vodka. To make this for the kids, just substitute more soda for the alcohol.

To make the drinks, you’ll need little fishbowls – three of them (4-5 cups volume). I bought mine at a craft store. I found them for only a couple of bucks each in the floral section.

Prepping the fishbowls is the make-ahead part – my favorite part. Mix liquors, sweet-and-sour mix, pineapple juice and soda in a large container. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.

To serve, divide the Nerds candy between the three fishbowls. Add ice and arrange the fish around the outside of the fishbowls – use the ice to hold them against the sides.

Carefully add the punch mixture, dividing equally. Top with fruit slices and add straws. Add a little lemon-lime soda for bubbly-ness. Serve immediately! The Nerds candy make adorable faux “gravel” – but their coating melts. This will make your Fishbowl Punch potentially a little murky, unless you drink out of it pronto.