Holiday Punch: You Can’t Go Wrong

Hosting for the Holidays isn’t easy and we found this our the hard way this past Thanksgiving. Once you’ve made space and planned out the logistics then comes the food prep planning. Once you’ve got it all figured out then you realize you need drinks and then it gets tricky. What does everyone drink? Do you have enough spirits and mixers? It’s a bit much Here’s my tip: Making a bunch of cocktails is fun, but when you’re expecting a big or eclectic crowd go safe with a Holiday punch. It’s never steered me wrong.

If you like that idea but don’t have a clue what punch to serve I’ve got two awesome suggestions below courtesy of the famed Bemelmans Bar in New York. One of the most famous cocktails at the bar there is the Carlyle Punch, named after the hotel you can find the bar located in. It’s the only cocktail they serve batched at the bar and now you can try it without booking a flight. If it’s not your cup of tea, our second punch is one of my favorites to make year round and it’s a crowd pleaser. It’s sweet, fruity, and can be made with almost any spirit depending on your preference. Try one or both and let us know what you think.

The Carlyle Punch

• 1 ounce Southern Comfort
• 1 1/2 ounces Raspberry Vodka
• 1 1/2 ounces Cranberry Juice
• 1 ounce Orange Juice
• 1 ounce ST-GERMAIN
• 1 ounce Simple Syrup
• 1 to 3 dashes of Bitters
• Splash of Champagne

In a shaker, combine ice with the Southern Comfort, Stolichnaya Raspberry, St. Germain liqueur, simple syrup, orange juice, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice.

Pour in a cognac glass over ice and finish with three dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of champagne. Garnish with blueberries and raspberries.

Winter Flowers Punch (Pictured Above)
Makes 18-20 servings

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup superfine sugar
• ½ ounce St-Germain liqueur
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup cognac, tequila, bourbon, or gin
• 2 cups chilled brewed chamomile tea
• 2 (750 ml) bottles chilled dry Champagne or sparkling wine
• Orange and/or lemon slices, for garnish
• Fresh strawberries, for garnish

Combine lemon juice, sugar, St-Germain liqueur, honey, spirit of choice and tea in a nonreactive bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the Champagne/sparkling wine, and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. Pour into a decorative bowl or pitcher. Garnish with orange and lemon slices and fresh strawberries, if desired. Serve in Champagne flutes, wine glasses or from a punch bowl.

If you’re not a Punch fan or just don’t plan on having that big of a gathering be sure to check out some of our other Holiday suggestions like These 5 Jack Daniels Honey holiday cocktails, or maybe pick up a bottle of Southern Comfort Gingerbread and experiment on your own.