Old-Time Whiskey Punch

This is an easy way to get a large party started; the only prep work is the homemade ginger syrup which can be made days in advance. It’s also simple to cut this recipe in half for a more intimate group of happy holiday drinkers. A few floating pineapple slices and a ton of mint would make a nice presentation.

To a large punch bowl, add:

6 cups (or a large block) of ice
2 750 ml bottles of Seagram’s Seven American whiskey
2 cups homemade ginger syrup
64 ounces orange-pineapple juice
2 liters of club soda or plain seltzer

Stir thoroughly and anticipate frolicking!

Always drink responsibly; always drink well.

Homemade Ginger Syrup

Take a generous “hand” of unpeeled fresh ginger and chop it thoroughly — alternately, hack it up and throw it in a food processor. Measure the result and add it to a saucepan along with 1.5 times the same amount of water (for example: if you wind up with 1 cup of ginger, use 1.5 cups of water). Bring to a boil then simmer for 30 minutes.

Let cool for a minute or two, then strain and measure the remaining water (I strain mine into a large heat-worthy measuring bowl). Add an equal amount of sugar (1 cup water gets 1 cup sugar) to the warm ginger-water and keep stirring until all the sugar is dissolved. If you’re not going to use it right away, add a jot of white rum or vodka as a preservative and refrigerate. Keeps for about a week.

(Quickie-Cheat: substitute ginger ale
for the club soda in the cocktail above and leave out the ginger syrup.)