20 September is the annual celebration of National Punch Day, and, although this day could go in many directions, like honouring tools that make holes or a day created to throw some punches, you will find that you are pointed in a whole different direction.
This day – listed as one of the many American Food Holidays – was created to celebrate the refreshing, thirst-quenching drink called punch (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties).
This drink is often made with a combination of fruit juice and carbonated drinks and served at parties, weddings and other celebrations in a large, wide bowl known as a punch bowl.
It is believed that the first punch was introduced by sailors sailing to England via India during the early 17th century. The beverage grew in popularity and soon spread to other countries.
The word ‘punch’ is a loan word from Hindi, where it means ‘five’. The drink was originally made with five ingredients, including alcohol, sugar, lemon, water and tea or spices.
Soft-drink manufacturers distribute many fruit punch beverages today. Despite the name, they only contain a small fraction of actual fruit juice as the major ingredients are sugar or corn syrup, citric acid and artificial flavours.
Celebrate today by making some real punch. Go to the internet and browse through the thousands of recipes, or page through some books to find a delicious recipe to try.
Post on social media using #NationalPunchDay.
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