Our Guide to Making the Freshest Spring Punch
As experts in mixology, connoisseurs in the art of cocktail making and perfectionists when it comes to a perfect punch, we have put together our top tips for making a spring punch, and of course, we have a recipe to top it off!
Grab those ladles and cups and get ready to pour a party into a bowl, because things are about to get punchy!
A little bit of background to punch
The term ‘punch’ is thought to come from the Hindi word for ‘five’. This is because the drink was originally made from 5 different ingredients: something sour (lime or lemon), sugar, spirit (rum or brandy), water, and spice (nutmeg).
The drink was first brought to England from India by sailors from the British East India Company in the early 17th century – so sailors started it all! The first recorded punch dates back to 1638.
Experts in the history of punch believe it began because sailors ran out of beer and wine on ships. To prevent scurvy, ships were already equipped with citrus fruits, and other ingredients could also be found on board. And voila – the first punch was created!
These tasty drinks quickly caught on and now we enjoy them for parties and all sorts of occasions.
What makes a great punch?
Punch is considered the earliest cocktail – the drink that all other drinks come from. A great punch has a fine balance between citrus, spirit, spice, sweetness, and dilution.
1. Keep it light and fresh
Although punches may have begun with sailors who are renowned for a heavy hand – yohoho and a bottle of rum – you don’t always have to add the whole bottle. Punches are meant to be light and refreshing, so skip the heavy pour and round it off with some sparkling wine (Prosecco is a great option) or sparkling water.
2. An old secret of ‘sweet oil’
The term ‘oleo saccharum’ is Latin for sweet oil and refers to a combination of lemon peels and sugar. Combine these two ingredients and leave them overnight. You can also muddle them together to make a paste. This ‘sweet oil’ is the perfect sweet and sour finish to punches.
3. All things gin – the spirit of spring!
Gin is a wonderful ingredient for punches and pairs beautifully with fresh botanicals and herbs. Try adding rosemary or mint from your garden. It’s fresh, light, and has a unique taste.
4. Go big or go home when it comes to ice
The best way to keep punch cool in the spring sun is with ice. Using many small ice cubes can dilute your punch quickly. Using one large ice block melts slower and adds a fabulous presentation.
Pro tip: Two nights before your party, get a big metal bowl slightly smaller than your punch bowl. Fill it with water and freeze it into a solid block. When ready to serve, dip the bottom of the bowl in warm water to loosen the ice, then pop it into your punch bowl.
5. Use fresh ingredients
It’s spring, which means berries, flowers, and colourful fresh fruits are in season. Slices of strawberries, oranges, lemons, peaches, or whole mint leaves add flavour and visual appeal to your punch.
The recipe to our ultimate spring punch
As promised, here is our recipe for a spring punch that will have your guests laughing and enjoying the sunshine of spring.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 bottles Tanqueray® London Dry Gin
- 350ml Maraschino Liqueur
- 500ml Apricot Nectar
- 500ml Orange Juice
- 1 liter Pineapple Juice
- 200ml Lime Juice
- 100ml Sugar Syrup
- 1750ml Prosecco
- 3 oranges
- 2 pineapples
- 4 apricots
- 2 limes
- 2 lemons
Pro tip: Make your ‘sweet oil’ with lime, lemon, and sugar syrup (peels included) and leave it overnight. Remove the peels and add to the mixture the next day.
Method:
- Cut all whole fruits into small pieces and place in your punch bowl.
- Pour in the gin.
- Add maraschino liqueur, apricot nectar, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and sweet oil.
- Adjust sweet and sour to taste.
- Chill in the fridge for 2–3 hours before serving.
- Just before serving, top with sparkling Prosecco.
- Serve in cups with a ladle.
Want expert help instead?
If you’d rather leave ingredient shopping, punch mixing, and serving to the experts, contact our Thirsty Barmen to bring a mobile bar service to your next event, big or small. We’ve got you covered!