Lemon

Gingered Lemon Punch

November  7, 2011
4
1 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Makes about 8 servings
Author Notes

When this contest was announced all I could think of was the punch my mom always made for her bridge club back in the 50s and 60s...a quart of whiskey, a bottle of wine, some dry gingerale, sugar and lots of lemon juice. I liked the idea of ginger and lemon but wanted to make a lighter one - and one with vodka since I'm really not much of a brown likker drinker. I started with my ginger syrup recipe from A Tribute to Woody and went from there.. —inpatskitchen

Test Kitchen Notes

Like cream soda for grownups, this gingery vanilla lemon punch will fill your guests (and perhaps more importantly, you) with cheer. You can even share some with the kids -- just use the leftover syrup for an aromatic ginger ale by mixing with seltzer. The lemony ice cubes are delightful and will solidify your reputation as the best host around. One warning -- the vodka does a great job of slipping into the punch unnoticed, so watch yourselves. - A&M —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Make the ice cubes the day before
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • For the ginger lemon syrup and putting it together
  • 1 cup peeled thinly sliced fresh ginger
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 12 ounces of your favorite vodka or lemon infused vodka, chilled
  • 1 liter chilled sparkling seltzer
  • The ice cubes
  • Thinly sliced lemons for garnish
Directions
  1. Make the ice cubes the day before
  2. Combine the lemon juice and water and freeze overnight in an ice cube tray.
  1. For the ginger lemon syrup and putting it together
  2. Combine the ginger, granulated sugar, brown sugar and water in a medium sauce pan, bring to a boil and then simmer until reduced to 2 cups. This should take 20 to 25 minutes or so. Strain , add the vanilla and cool. Once cooled, stir in the lemon juice and chill.
  3. In a punch bowl (or similar vessel), combine the syrup, seltzer and vodka. Add the ice cubes and garnish with a few lemon slices.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • krikri
    krikri
  • Susan Warren McCarley
    Susan Warren McCarley
  • Ms. T
    Ms. T
  • Waverly
    Waverly
  • Bevi
    Bevi
inpatskitchen

Recipe by: inpatskitchen

I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining. My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!

42 Reviews

krikri June 22, 2016
I am temporarily on an alcohol-free kick. Made this to mix with sparkling water. It's nice because I can adjust the sweetness, and the lemon ice cubes are a nice touch.
 
inpatskitchen June 22, 2016
Thanks so much krikri!!
 
Susan W. October 21, 2015
This sounds fabulous and I plan to serve it Thanksgiving Day, too! It serves 8, but, it is 8 large glasses, 8 punch bowl glasses or what? Thank you!
 
inpatskitchen October 21, 2015
Hi Susan! The recipe makes 8 glasses that are just about 8 ounces each. Hope you enjoy!
 
Nuala January 16, 2015
Can anyone comment on how sweet this punch tastes? I'm looking for something that goes down easy but isn't so sweet that it prevents you from going in for a second (or fourth) glass!
 
inpatskitchen January 16, 2015
Hi Nuala! I don't think this is overly sweet at all but maybe others who've made this will chime in.
 
Nuala January 21, 2015
Thank you! I'm excited to give it a try!
 
ksschapp February 28, 2014
Made this for a party and even with a wider variety of cocktails to choose from, this was the first to disappear. I did augment the recipe slightly by upping the fresh lemon to 1/2 cup. I really wanted that lemon kick!
 
inpatskitchen February 28, 2014
Thanks so much! So happy you and your guests enjoyed....and I LOVE the extra lemon kick!
 
lynn February 2, 2014
Just made this for superbowl game I had to write it up and hand it out to my guess every one loved it.l only made half(it was just for the ladies, and a before game cocktail) so I half the recipe but did 8oz of vodka instead of 6 and I put the whole liter of seltzer and it went fast even some of the men had a glass should of done the full recipe,next time!Thanks for the recipe it's a keeper
 
inpatskitchen February 3, 2014
So happy you all enjoyed! THANK YOU!!!
 
Robert B. October 31, 2012
I love ginger, lemon and vodka in anything! Thanks..
 
inpatskitchen October 31, 2012
So hope you enjoy this. Thanks!!
 
Ms. T. November 19, 2011
Mmmmm! Love the home grown twist on gingerale punch. Nicely done :)
 
inpatskitchen November 19, 2011
Thank you so much Ms T!!
 
Waverly November 18, 2011
Congratulations on being a finalist. I think your ginger syrup in a cocktail would be delicious!
 
inpatskitchen November 19, 2011
Waverly...it really is! Thanks so much!
 
Bevi November 18, 2011
Congrats on being a finalist! This sound really lovely.
 
inpatskitchen November 18, 2011
Thank you Bevi...so honored to have been chosen a finalist!
 
ashleychasesdinner November 18, 2011
Congratulations inpatskitchen! Can't wait to give this a try!!
 
inpatskitchen November 18, 2011
Thanks.. I hope you enjoy!
 
hardlikearmour November 18, 2011
Congratulatons, ipk! This sound really refreshing! You are truly the beverage queen :)
 
inpatskitchen November 18, 2011
Thanks HLA! Who would know I'm a diet Squirt and white wine (mostly out of the box) drinker! (LOL)
 
Midge November 18, 2011
Love lemon and ginger together. Congrats!!
 
inpatskitchen November 18, 2011
Thank you Midge...the combination is wonderful!!
 
fiveandspice November 17, 2011
Congrats inpatskitchen! This sounds delicious. I love the lemon and ginger combo!
 
inpatskitchen November 18, 2011
Thanks so much!
 
gingerroot November 17, 2011
Congratulations!! What a lovely, refreshing punch. I look forward to trying and more importantly, enjoying. : )
 
inpatskitchen November 17, 2011
Thank you gingerroot...watch out though..it can sneak up on you!
 
lorigoldsby November 17, 2011
i was a fan of your "tribute to woody" ginger drink this summer! Can't wait to try this--i agree with your substitution of vodka for the brown "likker"--congrats on being a finalist!
 
inpatskitchen November 17, 2011
Thanks so much! Yes, vodka is so much more "civilized" than let's say, bourbon which Tom loves and says is belligerent!((LOL)
 
boulangere November 17, 2011
Your lovely flavor combination caught my eye when you posted this recipe. Much deserved congratulations on being a finalist!
 
inpatskitchen November 17, 2011
Thanks so much boulangere! Your comments are always so appreciated...
 
AntoniaJames November 17, 2011
We'll be serving this on Thanksgiving Day, with the light lunch we'll eat when we return from our (strenuous) hike on Mt. Tam. (We eat T-Day dinner in the evening on The Big Day.) This punch will be positively delightful!! ;o)
 
inpatskitchen November 17, 2011
Oh I hope you enjoy...daughter Jessa just e-mailed me requesting it for Thanksgiving also!
 
AntoniaJames November 17, 2011
Fabulous! Just love it. Congratulations!! ;o)
 
inpatskitchen November 17, 2011
Thanks you so much AJ!
 
Panfusine November 17, 2011
congratulations on the finalist pick Pat.. this sounds delicious!
 
inpatskitchen November 17, 2011
Thanks Panfusine! It's nice and light and refreshing!
 
wssmom November 9, 2011
Ahh, lovely, this will be on the table for the holiday open house!!!
 
inpatskitchen November 9, 2011
Thanks!!! If you make it send me feed back please