Holiday Punch Bowl Ice Ring Recipes

Steps:

• Clear a spot in your freezer that is level and measures at least 14x14-inches.
• Place maraschino cherries in a pleasing design around the bottom of a 10- to 12-inch gelatin mold. Arrange mint leaves around the cherries, right-sides down (facing out and touching the mold).
• Combine maraschino cherry juice in a bowl with 2 cups water; pour 1/2 inch into the mold on top of cherries and mint, reserve remaining liquid. Place mold in the freezer until partially frozen, about 1 hour.
• Remove mold from the freezer and arrange green and gold kiwis on top of cherries. Use ice cubes and grapes to hold kiwi slices in place. Top with remaining ice and grapes. Carefully fill the mold with remaining water-juice mixture, and add more water as necessary to fill to the top edge of the mold. Place in the freezer until frozen solid, about 24 hours.
• To unmold the ice ring, fill a bowl that is larger than the mold with 1 inch of hot water. Place the mold into the hot water until ice ring separates from the mold, about 1 minute. Transfer ice ring into your punch bowl and serve immediately.

Steps:

• For the Bundt ice ring: Pour 1 inch of water into the bottom of a 12-cup Bundt pan. Add a quarter of the cranberries, 5 thyme sprigs and 2 bay leaves and evenly spread the ingredients around the Bundt pan--this will be the top of the ice cube. Place in the freezer to set for at least 4 hours.
• For the next layer, add enough water to fill halfway up the Bundt pan, then add the same quantity of ingredients as the first layer. Place in freezer for at least 4 more hours. Continue to make 2 more layers and freeze in the same manner, freezing each layer at least 4 hours before adding on the next. The final layer should freeze 8 hours or up to overnight before being used.
• Turn the Bundt pan onto a baking sheet and hold under running hot water until the Bundt ice ring releases onto the baking sheet, 5 to 10 seconds. Add to a punch bowl when ready to serve.
• For the spiced-thyme simple syrup: Combine the sugar with 2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the allspice, cloves, thyme and cinnamon sticks. Let steep while it comes to room temperature, 1 hour. Strain and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the punch: Stir together the cranberry juice, vodka and 2 cups spiced-thyme simple syrup (save the remainder for another use). Pour over the Bundt ice ring in the punch bowl and top with prosecco and cranberries for garnish. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Arrange fruit in a 5-cup ring mold; add 3/4 cup water. Freeze until solid. Add enough water to fill mold; freeze until solid., Just before serving, in a punch bowl, combine juice concentrates with 2 cups water. Stir in ginger ale. Unmold ice ring by wrapping the bottom of the mold in a hot, damp dishcloth. Invert onto a baking sheet; place fruit side up in punch bowl.