Legal Punch.

The tricky issue of what to serve in the way of party drinks during Prohibition in the USA was solved by either breaking the law, getting around a legal loophole, - or by being as imaginative as possible with fruit juice.

In September 1930 an example was led from the top, with a little book called Prohibition Punches by Roxana B. Doring, wife of the one-time Commissioner of Prohibition, and subsequently Administrator of Industrial Alcohol.

There were contributions for several “nationally-known” women and famous hostesses. Here is a selection, ready for your alcohol-free Christmas parties.

From Mabel Walker Willebrandt, former Assistant United States Attorney General, whose nickname was Prohibition Portia:

Portia’s Punch.

To one small bottle of red Concord California pure concentrated grape juice or Concord loganberry, add two bottles light-colourd ginger ale, one lemon sliced thin, half cut chopped mint leaves. Serve very cold.

From Mrs Laura Volstead Lomen, daughter of the author of the Volstead act:

Fruit Punch.

One can grated pineapple, three cups boiling water, one cup tea freshly make, juice six lemons, juice ten oranges, one quart strawberry, currant, or grape juice, one bottle Apollinaris water, one quart of sugar or three cups of syrup of thirty five degrees, and four quarts of water.

Grate the pineapple and boil with the water twenty minutes. Strain thoroughly through jelly bags, press out all possible; let it cool and add rest of fruit juice, tea, and syrup. If sugar be used, add a pint of water and let boil six or eight minutes, cool before using. Add Apollinaries water just before serving. If possible make punch a few hours before serving and chill. Strawberries, mint leaves or sliced bananas may be added.”

And from Mrs. Seymour Lowman, wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury:

Meridian Mansions Punch.

Sixteen ounce bottle of rose lime juice, sixteen ounce bottle of orange juice, two bottles of ginger ale, juice of twenty-four lemons, sugar if desired. Chill by adding lemon water ice made in freezer.

Quotation for the Day …

Oh look, yet another Christmas TV special!  How touching to have the meaning of Christmas brought to us by cola, fast food, and beer.... Who'd have ever guessed that product consumption, popular entertainment, and spirituality would mix so harmoniously? 

Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes