Minted Citrus Punch

What better way to wrap up hot summer reading week, than with a cool recipe from Company's Coming?

This homemade punch is sweet and refreshing with a hint of mint.

What you need;

* Can of mandarin orange segments (with 10 oz. 284 mL juice)
* Boiling water 4 cups (1 L)
* Fresh mint leaves 1 cup (250 mL)
* Peel of medium orange, white pith removed, cut into strips
* Peel of medium lemon, white pith removed, cut into strips
* Can of frozen concentrated lemonade, 12 1/2 oz. (355 mL) partially thawed
* Can of frozen concentrated orange juice, 12 1/2 oz. (355 mL) partially thawed
* Grapefruit soft drink 4 cups (1 L )

Spoon mandarin orange segments and juice into ice cube tray for a total of about 12 cubes (see Note). Freeze for at least 4 hours until firm.

Pour boiling water into large heatproof bowl. Add mint and both peels. Stir. Cover. Let stand for 1 hour.

Strain mint mixture through sieve into small punch bowl. Discard solids. Add remaining 3 ingredients. Stir gently. Add frozen mandarin orange cubes. Makes about 10 1/2 cups (2.6 L). Serves 18.

1 serving: 111 Calories; 0.1 g Total Fat (0 g Mono, 0 g Poly, 0 g Sat); 0 mg Cholesterol; 28 g Carbohydrate; trace Fibre; 1 g Protein; 9 mg Sodium

Note: Add fresh mint leaves to mandarin orange segments in ice cube tray before freezing for extra colour and flavour.

Reprinted with permission by Company's Coming