Make Ahead

Boozy Panaka Punch

by:
November  3, 2011
0
0 Ratings
  • Makes one 6 oz serving, Can be multiplied for more!
Author Notes

I created a fun fizzy virgin version of Panakam , a 3000 (yep, 30 centuries) yr old drink that is still made in Homes & Temples in South India, primarily as a reaction to the head notes included in Madhur Jaffrey's book World vegetarian (listed as 'extinct, -- if you don't believe me, check out P.644 of the book). The next natural progression to raise the indignant streak with traditional, 'upright' propah South Indians world wide, would of course be to boozify it.. (I've 'Panfusined' my way thru a lot of their dishes, time now to tackle their beverages!). And 'boozify' it I did. Went down many iterations, some of which went happily down my hatch, others that did not. This final version, I sent off to to a spicy cocktail competition judged by Kara Newman, and she loved it well enough to pick it as the winner. —Panfusine

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Ingredients
  • 1 ounce Chilled Lemon flavored Vodka
  • 2 ounces Chilled Domain de Canton Ginger liqueur
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry ginger powder
  • 2-3 pods Cardamom (seeds lightly crushed)
  • Juice of 1/2 a lime
  • 3 ounces chilled sparkling water or lime flavored seltzer
Directions
  1. Muddle the brown sugar, cardamom seeds, ginger powder and lime juice till the sugar dissolves.
  2. Add the vodka and ginger liqueur along with the seltzer/sparkling water. Strain into glasses (rimmed with sugar if desired) & serve chilled. Feel free to adjust the vodka as per your personal preference.
  3. Alternatively, if your spirits are at room temperature, you may add the vodka & ginger liqueur into a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice along with the muddled sugar n' spice. Shake well & then add the sparkling water & seltzer. Strain into glasses & serve.

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A biomedical engineer/ neuroscientist by training, currently a mommy blogger on a quest for all things food - Indian Palate, Global perspective!

13 Reviews

lapadia November 10, 2011
Congratulations on your win!
Panfusine November 12, 2011
Thanks lapadia!
hardlikearmour November 3, 2011
Yum! This sounds delicious and I bet it really "packs a punch!" (Okay... I know it was a bad pun, but I just couldn't help myself!)
Panfusine November 3, 2011
Thanks HLA! yep, definitely 'punchy', Cdn't resist quaffing down the drink I made up for taking the picture!
Panfusine November 3, 2011
Thanks HLA! yep, definitely 'punchy', I Cdn't resist quaffing down the drink I made up for taking the picture!
mrslarkin November 3, 2011
oh my gosh, sounds unbelievably delicious!
Panfusine November 3, 2011
thanks mrslarkin!
lorigoldsby November 3, 2011
Yum! Can easily see why this was a winner!
Panfusine November 3, 2011
Thanks Lori.. Of course Kara Newman made it look AWESOME with her gorgeous pictures. http://karanewman.wordpress.com/2011/10/09/spicy-cocktail-contest-finalists/
wssmom November 3, 2011
This sounds delightful!!!
Panfusine November 3, 2011
Thanks wssmom!
Panfusine November 3, 2011
Thanks Meganvt01.. Yep.. the ginger tends to really 'warm' up the drink with its spiciness!
meganvt01 November 3, 2011
Yum, this looks great. I bet the spices here warm you up even if it is served chilled!