pomegranate champagne punch

Last year at the cookie exchange we blew through 8 bottles of champagne before the gift exchange.  The girls can drink!  This year I was not going to let that happen again.  I pulled out the punch bowl and mixed up a big batch of champagne punch that packed a little extra something something with the white rum.  We went through two big batches and I think everyone left with a little warmth in their body and a little pep in their step from the bubbly and sugar.  This punch tastes good, is inexpensive, looks beautiful and definitely does the job.  Cheers!

pomegranate champagne punch

adapted: bon appetit

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 750-ml bottles chilled brut Champagne
• 1 750-ml bottle white rum
• 2 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
• 2 large lemons, thinly sliced
• Pomegranate seeds
• Fresh mint leaves
• 1 ice block

Bring water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Cool syrup completely.

Combine Champagne, rum, and pomegranate juice in punch bowl. Add enough syrup to sweeten to taste. Mix in lemon slices, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves. Add ice block to bowl.