I got this recipe from a friend. I love to serve it at large gatherings. It is much tastier than serving regular water. It is sweet and refreshing. Now it does call for one ingredient that you won’t have on hand and it might be a little tricky to find the first time you look for it. It is well worth the effort though to make this yummy drink. The tricky ingredient is citric acid. You can find it in some pharmacies. I just get mine from my local health and nutrition store (similar to GNC). It’s a great drink for when you want something other than water but don’t want a drink that is over powering or could end up staining your carpet.
Water Punch
- 5 quarts of chilled water
- 3 cups of sugar
- 1 Tbsp. lemon extract
- 1 Tbsp. citric acid (found in the pharmacy or health and nutrition store)
- fresh lemon, lime, or orange slices (optional)
In a punch bowl or large container combine water, sugar, lemon extract, and citric acid. Stir until sugar is all dissolved. Then add citrus slices to float in the punch and make it look pretty.
Flavored water went popular some time ago, right? It is refreshing to have a glass of water but a glass of flavored water is even better. Now add a little fizz into it and its perfect.
Citric acid is sold as “sour salt” by baking product stores or catalogs like King Arthur’s.
We have been making this for years too! You can also get citric acid at orson gigi’s!
You can also buy 16 oz from the sage.com for $5.
And it looks like I’ve just found the drink to serve at our Memorial Day get together! Last year I made cherry limeades that were a huge hit, so we’ll see how this stacks up.
Thanks so much for sharing!
I make something similar to this all the time. I never call it ‘water punch’, but I will from now on (smile)…
I have been making this for years and I always get compliments on it. The onw thing I have found is it is a little better if I use a “heaping” tablespoon of the citric acid. And definitely use the fruit slices. Otherwise, people think it is cloudy water!
Any recommendations on preparing this with something other than sugar?
Spa day at home…I know my kiddo will enjoy this as will I. Plus extra Vitamin C is never a bad thing.
Most health food stores have the citric acid. I have been making this for years and people always ask me for the recipe.
Kitchen Kneads has this recipe at their store, I’m not sure whose it was originally BUT IT’S FABULOUS. It’s actually my most requested recipe from family members because we had it at our wedding five years ago and people still remember it!
Wow a tablespoon of citric acid. I’m going to try it!
Sounds great! I wonder if TrueLemon or TrueLime might work for the citric acid? It’s crystallized lemon (or lime) in packets like splenda. I love adding it to my plain water while I’m at work. I’ll have to try this out!
Oh yeah, I saw this on My Kitchen Cafe and thought it looked so refreshing! Will have to try it some time.
My variation is just a bit different, we use 2 T of citric acid and pour it all over 1 bag of deli ice (that really yummy crunchy ice). If you’re in Utah, you can get deli ice at an Iceberg or Sonic restaurant. The citric acid can be purchased in bulk at Kitchen Kneads in Salt Lake/West Jordan. Love the site, Laura!
Just make sure you use a glass container and no plastic ladle otherwise it will turn it cloudy from the citric acid. Ruined two of mine….
I have never heard of this. The next family gathering I’m going to try it. Has anyone tried using Splenda instead?
We had this at our wedding and it has become a huge hit. People are always asking for this recipe. Thanks for sharing it with everyone.
I had a friend who used to make this all the time…it is great for big parties!
I have been seriously looking for a creamy type of pork chop green chili ( or otherwise called green chili).. Would you happen to have anything of the sort?
My SIL makes this and you are right it is so yummy!! Thanks for posting the recipe!