A Sociable Summer - the Perfect Punch for a Party at your Place

Posted: 14/12/2009 11:47:44 a.m.

Yesterday was the first day of Summer! The weather may not particularly feel like it, at least in Auckland, but it’s here, and for many of us this is the moment when we put down the Pinot Noir that has fortified us through the cooler months, and turn our minds to proper drinking.

For most New Zealanders, we don’t tend to make Cocktails at home. It’s seen as a bit too difficult, a fuss too far, especially when quality wines and beers are easily on offer.

Long before the rise of the individual, single-serve Cocktail, the sociable Punch was the King of Drinks. Traditionally taverns would keep a ‘flowing bowl’ behind the bar, and guests would take a cup from the communal punch. It was a fairly egalitarian ritual that is perfectly suited to the simple, laid back entertaining we love over the lazy months ahead.

The great thing about a Punch, however, is that it can largely be prepared in advance. It is the spiritous version of soup or stew, and has all the convenience of the first and the soothing simplicity of the second. But unlike soup or stew, it is just as good in summer as winter, and is the perfect way to welcome guests, and unlike say, offering them a chilled bottle of Mexican ‘beer’ it shows that you’ve put a little thought into

The traditional recipe for a Punch follows a simple formula, which slaves on Caribbean plantations put into a memorable ditty.

“One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak, pinch of spice”

I always include the simple formula in any bar or restaurant trainings I do, as these elements provide a winning base for crafting excellent drinks from scratch. In the past I’ve thrown this out as a challenge to show young bartenders how easy it is to do. I’ve made drinks where the ‘weak’ has been milk and the ‘strong’ something mad like absinthe, yet it still pulls together in a coherent fashion. Of course, I suggest making most Punches using ingredients more delicious than milk and more affordable than absinthe!

Following this simple pattern, using a few of my favourite ingredients, gives us this tasty, summery punch, known as ‘The Garden Party’.

In this case, the fresh lemon juice will be our ‘sour’ and the elderflower cordial our ‘sweet’. However, a little sweetness will be added by the ginger beer and apple juices too, so if you like your drinks to have a little tartness, then you might like to add a little more lemon juice, or use a light touch with the elderflower. The three of ‘strong’? Well, that is provided by 42BELOW Feijoa, with it’s tart, refreshing bite, that takes me back to New Zealand wherever in the world I happen to be drinking it. The ‘weak’ parts are cloudy apple juice and tangy ginger beer, which also provides the ‘spice’.

1 part fresh lemon juice
2 parts elderflower cordial
3 parts 42BELOW Feijoa
2 parts ginger beer
2 parts cloudy apple juice
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1 small bunch of mint

Combine all in a large punch bowl or bucket. Cool your punch by making a large block of ice overnight in an ice-cream container or similar. This will keep it cool quickly, but won’t add any water to the Punch itself.

If you have the time and the inclination, you can add some cucumber or lime slices to the block as you freeze it. Then just take the iceblock out of the container, and make this the centre piece of your punch bowl. The block will keep the punch nicely chilled indeed, and being so large, it will not melt into your drink.

If it’s a very hot day, serve over ice in rocks glasses, or even plastic cups if you’re taking this to the beach or the park.

If you want to prepare this in advance, leave the cucumber, mint and ginger beer until your guests are about to arrive. Keep the punch bowl or bucket covered with a damp tea-towel or refrigerated if you have the room.

You can make this up in any quanitity you like, but do remember that every a large ice-filled glass of the Garden Party is going to be close to two standard drinks, so its best to tell your guests to leave their keys at home if they’re coming round to your garden party.

Cheers!