Exotic Fresh Fruits of the Islands

The Tahitian Terrace was an Adventureland staple from 1962 into the early 1990s, when it was replaced by Aladdin’s Oasis. During its time, the Tahitian Terrace featured a luau show, seating beneath an ever green and blossoming tree, and a tropical waterfall. It wouldn’t have been a tropical getaway without some punch right? Disneyland being what it was, however, the punch was family friendly of course!

Planters Punch Tahitian was the original punch that combined a bevy of flavors that quickly whisked partakers away to a tropical island. However, the original recipe from the 1960’s was a big on industrial sizing and not exactly practical to make at home. What do I mean by that? Well, take a look:

PLANTERS PUNCH TAHITIAN

Ingredients

1 Case Welch’s Grape Juice

1 Case Orange Juice

1 Case Pineapple Juice

½ case Lemon Juice (18oz cans)

1 Quart Grenadine

16 Pounds Granulated Sugar

18 Gallons Cold Water

Directions

Stir together all the above ingredients until sugar is dissolved and juices are well mixed.

Unless you’re a caterer with a mighty thirsty crowd, this probably won’t help you very much. However, Disneyland in their infinite wisdom did create a recipe that invoked the spirit of the punch, if not the exact ingredient and quantities. We whipped up a batch this week to share with you.

TAHITIAN TERRACE PUNCH

Ingredients

11.5 Ounces Welch’s Grape Juice Concentrate

6 Ounces Pineapple Juice

3 Tbsp Grenadine

3 Tbsp Lemon juice

1/2 Cup Sugar

3 Tbsp Tang Powdered Orange Drink

5 Cups Water

Directions

Mix the above ingredients until well mixed.

Serve over ice.

Yields 2.5 quarts.

This punch packs a punch… of sweetness! It might even be a little pucker inducing, but it is a fun punch with flavors that you don’t typically find in a tropical punch. The grape is right out in front, as you would expect, and the aftertaste leaves you the hint of orange from the Tang. For my palate, the Tahitian Terrace Punch could do with a bit more water to thin things out a bit, perhaps a bit less sugar, and/or a splash or two of rum. Hey, my backyard is more Trader Sam’s than Adventureland!

The lemon juice isn’t specified as the processed variety you can buy in stores or fresh squeezed. I opted to go with fresh squeezed for my first try.  And my wife was utterly flabbergasted that I actually purchased Tang for the concoction, but I tried to stay as true as possible to the recipe. Go ahead and give the Tahitian Terrace Punch a whirl! If nothing else, the recipe provides a great base from which to create your own unique spin on the tropical blend.