Shops playing the same 20 songs on repeat. Trying to sleep in an uncomfortable airport chair after a delayed flight. The new Hunger Games movie. A shopping mall that resembles The Hunger Games. Starbucks holiday drink drama.
?These images, sounds, and pumpkin spice smells let us know that, finally, the most wonderful time of the year is upon us. The stress, spending, and rigmarole every holiday season brings with it nostalgia and remembrance of hectic holidays long ago.
Then there are the ugly sweater parties, the office parties, the kids parties, that all lead up to the official family shabang. For those hosting and (inevitably) overwhelmed by trying to be the host or hostess with the mostest, take a shot at one of these punchbowls. The beauty of them is, you only have to mix them once, then guests can do the rest of the work themselves.
Templeton Rye Apple Punch
Courtesy of Templeton Rye
Ingredients:
6 cups Apple Cider
3 cups Templeton Rye
1 ½ to 3 cups Hard Cider
20 dashes Angostura Bitters
Preparation:
Mix together the apple cider, Templeton Rye and bitters in a large punch bowl. Before serving, stir in hard cider to taste and add ice. Season the punch to taste with extra bitters Serve with extra ice as needed.
Creme d’Irie
Courtesy of Diane Corcoran, Three Dots and a Dash, Chicago
Ingredients:
2 qt. Appleton Estate Special Reserve rum
2 qt. Duquesne Aged Rhum Agricole
1 Gallon Half-and-Half
1 1/2 qt. Coconut Purée (such as Ponthier or Boiron brands)
1 1/2 qt. Simple Syrup
1/2 qt. Lusteau East India Sherry
1 qt. Water
Freshly grated cinnamon and nutmeg
Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Crushed ice
Preparation:
Whisk together all cocktail ingredients in a large punch bowl until combined. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and freshly grated nutmeg. Serve drinks individually over crushed ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick and more nutmeg.
Hillside Punch
Courtesy of Lillet
Ingredients:
2 parts Lillet Rosé
½ part Pamplemousse Liqueur
½ part Cynar
1 ½ part Brut Champagne
Preparation:
Mix all ingredients together in a punchbowl, serve merrily
Hendrick’s Hot Gin Punch
Courtesy of Hendrick’s Gin
Ingredients:
8 parts Hendrick’s Gin
8 parts Madeira Wine
6 Lemon Twists
1 Orange Slice
3 large chunks Pineapple
1 part Honey
1 part Fresh Lemon Juice
3 Cloves
1 pinch Ground Nutmeg
1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp. Brown Sugar
Preparation:
Add all the ingredients to a large saucepan and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. To serve, pour the hot mixture into a punch bowl or teapot and garnish with orange slices studded with cloves. Pair with gingerbread. Garnish with orange slices studded with cloves.
Carpe Dia Punch
Courtesy of Milagro
Ingredients:
2 oz. Milagro Añejo Tequila
1 oz. Lime Juice
3/3 oz. Blackberry Syrup
1 EA Sage Leaf
1 oz. Hibiscus Tea
1 oz. Ginger Beer
Garnish: Blackberries & Sage
Preparation:
Build all ingredients except ginger beer in a punch bowl over a block of ice. Top with ginger beer right before stirring.
The Instigator
Courtesy of Phil Clark, Compass Box Whisky Brand Ambassador
For 12-15 servings
Ingredients:
1 bottle Compass Box Spice Tree
6 oz. Pineapple Juice
6 oz. Grapefruit Juice
6 oz. Honey Syrup
12 oz. Mineral water
24 dashes Angostura Bitters
1/4 tsp. Sea Salt
Preparation:
Stir all ingredients and keep chilled. Ladle into ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with grapefruit zest.
Madina Papadopoulos is a New York-based freelance writer, author and regular contributor to Paste. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.