FIZZY AND FESTIVE NEW YEAR’S PUNCH

"While the grown-ups are sipping champagne, the kids can hoist a toast to the new year with this sparkling beverage. It’s nice to serve it in a big punch bowl, but you could just as easily pour it out of a large pitcher."

1 quart very hot water
1 1/4 cups superfine sugar
1 quart cranberry-apple juice
Juice of 1 lemon
2 cups orange juice (the no-pulp kind)
1 quart ginger ale

In a large pot, stir the hot water and the sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients except for the ginger ale. Refrigerate until chilled.

Just before serving, add the ginger ale and pour over ice into a pitcher or a punch bowl.

Serves 12
Source: The Kids' Holiday Baking Book: 150 Favorite Dessert Recipes from Around the World by Rosemary Black