Champagne Reception Punch

Ingredients

5 pints (10 cups) fresh strawberries

1 1/2 cups pineapple juice (chilled)

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

3/4 cup superfine sugar

1 bottle (4/5 quart) champagne, or

1 bottle sparkling wine (with or without alcohol) chilled

Preparation

To make the strawberry ice cubes: At least 6 hours before party time, wash the berries. Place 1 small, pretty berry (with leafy hulls attached) in each compartment of 2 standard-size ice cube trays, then fill with water and freeze. To prepare the punch: Remove the hulls from the remaining berries and place them in a food processor. Process for 2 minutes or until pureed, then transfer to a punch bowl. Stir in the pineapple juice, lemon juice, and sugar; cover and refrigerate. Just before serving, pour in the champagne and float the strawberry ice cubes on top.