Holiday Punch
According to bar manager Jeff Vanhorne, there are five elements to making the perfect punch: spirit, sugar, citrus, spice, and water/tea. Not matter what liquids you are using, if you use 1 part sour (citrus), 2 parts sweet (sugar), 3 parts strong (alcohol) and 4 parts weak (tea/water) you can make a fantastic punch.
Jeff recommends using the quantities suggested above, but the real secret to a great punch is creating your own go-to recipe by playing with your favourite ingredients. While you’re experimenting, here’s a local-inspired recipe from Jeff using Benjamin Bridge and Ironworks products.
Ingredients
| 12 | lemons |
| 2 cups | sugar |
| 1 cup | pure lemon juice |
| 3 cups | pomegranate and white tea |
| 1 1/2 cup | Ironworks dry gin |
| 1 1/2 cup | Ironworks apple brandy |
| 1 bag | ice |
| 1 bottle | Benjamin Bridge Non Vintage sparkling wine |
| lightly garnish with ground nutmeg | |
| decorate with whole cranberries (try: Terra Beata) | |
Directions
- Add sugar to a punch bowl and peel the lemons (using a y-peeler) over the bowl so the lemon oils land on the sugar
- Muddle the lemon peels into the sugar and let stand for 4-6 hours or until the sugar has absorbed the lemon oils and looks like a thick syrup
- Just before guests arrive, add the remaining ingredients listed in the order above
- Taste test and enjoy!
Recipe provided by: Jeffrey Vanhorne, Bar Manager at Lot Six Bar and Restaurant.