Preparation

• Strawberries, sliced thin, for garnish if desired
• Thin lime slices, halved, for garnish if desired
• In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with 1/2 cup water and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved. Let the sugar syrup cool completely.
• In a food processor, puree the strawberries with their syrup and the lime juice, transfer the mixture to a large punch bowl, forcing it through a fine sieve if desired, and stir in the sugar syrup, the orange juice, and the club soda.
• Chill the mixture, covered, until it is cold.
• Add the sparkling grape juice slowly just before serving and serve the punch in punch glasses, each garnished with a strawberry slice and a lime slice.
• Makes 8 to 10 servings