Cinco de Mayo Punches Without Tequila

I can hardly believe it, since it's one of my favorites, but there are people out there who actually don't like tequila! If you fall into this category and are looking for something to serve for Cinco de Mayo, here are a few punch recipes from 1964's The Food and Drink of Mexico, by George C. Booth,  a "professor of English at Long Beach State College in California (who) is a renowned 'Chef of the West' and an afficionado (sic) of Latin America." These recipes claim to have been found "in the simple as well as the great homes as he travelled the many states of Mexico in his search for authentic and exceptional dishes" (and, presumably, drinks). I've only been in one actual private home in Mexico and the punches were pretty darn good, so I'm inclined to believe he encountered these!

Salud!

Recipes for Record Store Day

Tomorrow is Record Store Day, celebrating independent record stores, along with those who work in them and those who love them. As a bonafide record lover, I think this calls for a celebration! The leaflet, Three Wiki Wiki Parties for Teens by Dole (I'm going to guess early 1960s) even has a special recipe that's perfect for the occasion, a pineapple pizza for your platter party!

You could take their suggestion and accompany it with tall, cool glasses of milk (and, if you're actually entertaining teens I highly recommend it). However, you may just want a libation that's a bit lovelier. In that case, how about a big bowl of Champagne Delight Punch?

We have the Anchor Hocking Party Starter Punch Recipe Book (I'm going with early 1970s for this one) to thank for this punch. That's a lot of hooch! Whatever you imbibe, put some records on the turntable (find your nearest record store and purchase some if you don't have any) and lift a glass to Record Store Day! 

Election Night Punches, 1970s Style

We'll be shooting three "Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en" episodes here tonight, so our lovely libations will take care of themselves. However, if you're looking for something to take the edge off of election night, here are a few punches from Anchor Hocking's 1970s (no date, but I'm going to confidently say "bicentennial era") pamphlet, Americana Punch Recipes. I'm even including one with no alcohol, just in case you feel like showing up for work tomorrow!

I'd go with the Liberty Bell Bracer or Log Cabin Cooler. They're the booziest!