Curaçao Punch

August 16, 2013 (Day 99) – Curaçao Punch

Today, in celebration of National Rum Day, we’re delving into some super-less-known cocktail territory here.

The punch was one of the original mixed drinks that our imbibing forefathers ever had the good taste to try. However, as the smaller, individual cocktails began to take hold the punch started to go out of style.

The Curaçao Punch appeared in Harry Johnson’s New and Improved Bartender’s Manual from 1882. However, it’s popularity has risen in large part due to cocktail archeologists Dale DeGroff (aka King Cocktail) and Ted Haigh’s Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails.

• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 2 or 3 dashes lemon juice
• 1 oz soda water
• 1 oz brandy
• 2 oz orange curaçao
• 1 oz Jamaican rum (we’re breaking with tradition and using the outstanding Phraya rum, as that has some great oomph to it)

In a bar glass or goblet combine the sugar, lemon juice and soda water. Dissolve the sugar and then fill the glass with crushed ice. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir well and ornament with all sorts of fruits and whatnot (we used an orange wedge, a lemon wedge, and a nectarine sliver).

Curaçao Punch

As you can tell from the picture, this is a behemoth of a drink, and you really don’t want to be drinking several of these in a row. It will murder you. Figuratively and literally. It’s very good though, and very good for an afternoon spent with friends and family.