Shelly's Recipe

CITRUS-RUM PUNCH

Category: Beverages and Cocktails

2 lemons
2 oranges
1 1/2 cups dark rum
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
3 tbsp green tea leaves or 9 green tea bags
1 bottle chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
1 1-quart bottle chilled seltzer water

Thinly slice both lemons and one orange. Combine the sliced fruit with rum in a bowl. Cover and let macerate at least 8 hours or overnight.

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in tea; let steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain into the rum mixture. Cover and chill.

Just before serving, slice the remaining orange. Strain the rum mixture into a large punch bowl. Add Champagne or sparkling wine and seltzer. Float the orange slices in the punch.