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Fourth of July: American Punch

Source of Recipe


From "Good Spirits" by A.J. Rathbun



List of Ingredients



• Block of ice (or cracked ice if the block-ice seller is on vacation)
  
• One 750-ml bottle bourbon
  
• 10 ounces Orange Curaçao
  
• 8 ounces Simple Syrup (recipe follows)
  
• 5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
  
• One 750-ml bottle Champagne
  
• One 2-liter bottle ginger ale
  






Instructions



1. Add the ice to the punch bowl (if using cracked ice, fill to above the half way point). Bring on the bourbon, Curaçao, simple syrup and lemon juice. Using a long spoon, stir 50 times (one for each state).
   
   
2. Add the Champagne, then the ginger ale. Stir briefly. Serve in punch glasses or wine glasses, as long as they sparkle.
   
   Serves 10 to 15, depending on mood (theirs, not yours)
   
   .............
   
   SIMPLE SYRUP
   
   • 2½ cups water
   • 3 cups sugar
   
   Add the water and sugar to a medium-size saucepan. Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat a bit, keeping the mixture at a low boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   
   Turn off the heat, and let the syrup cool completely in the pan. Store in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator.
   
   Makes 4½ cups.