Pina colada punch

6 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1Piece dried ginger root, bruised with spoon
1tablespoonLight-brown sugar
1tablespoonCassia bark, broken in small pieces
⅔cupWater
2China teabags
⅔Shredded coconut
1¼cupBoiling water
1¾cupPineapple juice
⅔cupLight rum or gin
Crushed ice
Maraschino cherries
Fresh pineapple chunks
Fresh pineapple leaves (opt)

Directions

Put ginger, sugar and cassia bark in a saucepan. Add ⅔ cup water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and add teabags. Let stand 5 minutes, then strain into a bowl. In a blender or food processor, blend coconut and boiling water 1 minute. Let stand 5 minutes, then strain into tea mixture, pressing coconut to extract all moisture.

Add pineapple juice and chill 1 hour. Add run or gin and stir well.

Serve over crushed ice in tall glasses. Thread cocktail sticks with cherries and pineapple. Add a cocktail stick and swizzle stick to each glass. Garnish with pineapple leaves, if desired.

VARIATION: Add more rum or gin for a stronger flavored drink.