Active Time

　　25 min

　　Total Time

　　3 1/4 hr (includes chilling ginger syrup)

　　A splash of vodka or gin transforms this lively punch into a festive cocktail.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 10

　　

For ginger syrup

1 1/2 cups water

　　1 cup sugar

　　1 cup thinly sliced unpeeled fresh ginger (1/4 lb; from two 5-inch-long pieces)

　　

For punch

3 cups unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled

　　1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (3 to 5 lemons)

　　1/4 cup fresh lime juice (4 to 6 limes)

　　3 cups sparkling water, chilled

　　4 cups ice cubes

　　Garnish: lemon and lime slices

　　

Special Equipment

a small punch bowl or pitcher

　　

Make ginger syrup:

Step 1

Bring water, sugar, and ginger to a boil in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes, then remove from heat and steep, uncovered, 15 minutes. Pour syrup through a sieve into a bowl, discarding ginger. Chill, covered, until cold, about 2 hours.

　　

Make punch:

Step 2

Stir together ginger syrup and fruit juices in a punch bowl or pitcher. Stir in sparkling water and ice.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Ginger syrup keeps, covered and chilled, 2 weeks.