Skip to main content

Fish House Punch

4.9

(14)

Image may contain Drink Lemonade Beverage Plant Fruit and Food
Photo by Christopher Testani

This punch — containing rum, Cognac, and peach brandy — is potent. If it packs a bit too much of a wallop for your taste, you can dilute it with cold black tea, a common mixer for this particular punch, or with seltzer water, for a bit of fizz. Some punch bowls may not be big enough to accommodate the size ice block we call for — feel free to use other freezing containers that are more suitably shaped. And though the block is a classic part of this recipe, you can, of course, simply serve the punch in a pitcher over ice cubes.

Cooks' notes:

• For a clearer ice block, boil water first, then cool to room temperature.
•Punch can be chilled up to 6 hours before adding ice.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 10 cups

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
3 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (6 to 8 lemons), strained
1 (750-ml) bottle Jamaican amber rum
12 oz Cognac (1 1/2 cups)
2 oz peach brandy (1/4 cup)
Garnish: lemon slices

Special Equipment

a 1/2-gallon cardboard juice or milk carton, top (spout) end cut off

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    To make ice block, fill carton with water and freeze until solid, about 8 hours (see cooks' note, below).

    Step 2

    Stir together sugar and 31/2 cups water in a large bowl or pot until sugar is dissolved. Add lemon juice, rum, Cognac, and brandy and chill, covered, at least 3 hours.

    Step 3

    Put ice block in a punch bowl and pour punch over it.

Read More
Like lemony baked salmon and strawberry shortcake roll.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Crispy, Parmesan-crusted cutlets make this spring dish sing.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.