Coming from the blog “Hobson’s Choice”, which has a really cool story for its name, we’ve got a theme this month for Mixology Monday of “punch”.? Over there, Mike quoted David Wondrich as he opined on what made a punch, starting from a definition in the 1700s or so.

I’m not going back that far.

When I think of punch, I think of a big vat of alcoholic drink – so yes, that’s pretty close to it – that is also pretty light, where you drink large cups of it.? The punches I’ve had at local watering holes, such as the nightly bowl at PS7 or at the late Punch Club, have been delicious but often come in small cups.? I’m not about to go to the college route, dumping a bunch of juice and two liters of soda into a tub with a few handles of vodka and rum, but I’d like something a bit bigger, a bit sparklier.

Yeah, that’s a word, WHAT OF IT.

At least I think it is.

Ahem.

Before I get into my post, I thought I’d cover another one – though I’m not making it.? Why not?? Well, it’s a matter of proportions – I’ve always wanted to make Gary Regan’s recipe for Artillery Punch, but look at how big it is:

Artillery Punch
1 bottle (750 mL) rye
1 bottle (750 mL) red wine
25 ounces chilled strong tea
12 ounces dark rum
6 ounces gin
6 ounces brandy
1 ounce Benedictine
12 ounces fresh orange juice
6 ounces fresh lemon juice
6 ounces simple syrup
1 large block of ice
lemon wheels, for garnish
Pour all of the liquid ingredients into a large nonreactive pan or bowl.? Stir well, cover, and refrigerate for four hours or longer.? Place the block of ice in the center of a large punch bowl, then add the punch and the garnish. – The Joy of Mixology, page 208

That is a lot of stuff to put in there!? I wanted something I could make by the individual drink, as I’m usually not in the mood for 24 six ounce servings (unless it’s a day that ends in “y”).

Thinking about it, I ended up with this drink – and I’ve got to say, I like it.

Celebration Punch
2 ounces Square One Botanical
1/2 ounce triple sec (Combier)
1/2 ounce orange juice
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce Trader Tiki’s Don’s Mix
1/2 ounce Campari
1 dash Angostura
Pour all ingredients into a shaking tin.? Add ice and shake.? Strain into a collins glass, top with club soda, ice, and a sprig of mint.

This is a fun drink!? It’s all bubbly and fruity and it makes me think of fun days of punch in the past.

The cool thing is you don’t have to use club soda.? Do you want to top it with more spice?? Try ginger beer!? Want to go different route?? Use 7-Up, Ting, or champagne.? I think it’ll hold up well to most forms of bubbly you might want to add – I almost did bitter lemon myself – but I’m really happy with how my punch came out.

And want to do it bigger?? Just remember your rules of batching cocktails!? Try using one fifth (750 mL) of Square One Botanical, and half a pint (or 375, really) of each of the other ingredients, plus make it around a dozen dashes of Angostura.? Mix up into a punch bowl, chill, then put a big ole ice block in it!

Hmmmm – I might just have to do that for my next party…

Anyways, once again, thanks to Mike at Hobson’s Choice for hosting this month, and thanks to Paul Clarke (as usual) for doing this whole shindig type thingamabob.? Cheers y’all!