Delicious Punch From 1849--American Whiskey Punch
Channel: Zach Zoschke
Date: 2020-11-13

Today I embark on a lengthy task—working my way through every recipe in David Wondrich’s Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl. If you enjoy learning about drinks history this book is a must read.

This punch was published in Field Sports in the United States,
and in the British Provinces of America, under Appendix C, A Few Memoranda and Brief Receipts for Sportsmen, by Henry William Herbert writing as Frank Forester. Mr. Herbert/Forester doesn’t explicitly claim to be this punch’s creator, and if other drinks history is any indication, it may have been created by someone else.

While this recipe was published in 1849, it was likely around earlier and existed in many variants. This is a terrific recipe however (albeit with a few adjustments), and worth making at home for guests. If you get around to making this at home leave a comment and let me know how it goes.

Cask strength whiskey is optimal for this punch, but if you can’t get that or a decent overproof substitute, add four to six ounces of whatever whiskey you are using and dock the water by the same amount. Adjust slowly and thoughtfully, under-adjusting is easily corrected, over-adjusting not so much.

American Whiskey Punch (1849)
12oz/355ml cask strength bourbon or rye
8oz/235ml granulated sugar
8oz/235ml strained lemon juice
3cups/710ml cold water

Music
Nelly Was a Lady (1849)
Stephen Foster

There Is No Greater Love (1936)
Isham Jones

Both performed by Dan Myers
eeboymusic@gmail.com

#davidwondrich #punch