Memorial Day

Whiskey Punch

June 11, 2015
4.5
2 Ratings
Photo by Bobbi Lin
  • Makes 12 drinks
Author Notes

Maybe this should be called a Whiskey Left Hook. Because it's better than a punch—get it? Is a hook better than a punch? How does boxing even work? I don't have gloves, do you? These questions and more will be answered for you as soon as you make this delightfully picnic-able summertime beverage. —Kendra Vaculin

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Ingredients
  • For the honey simple syrup:
  • 1 1/2 cups honey (an entire 12-ounce plastic bear)
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • For the punch:
  • 1/4 cup honey simple syrup
  • 4 cups lemonade
  • 3 cups whiskey
  • 4 cups club soda
  • Lemon slices and ice, for serving
Directions
  1. For the honey simple syrup:
  2. Bring honey and water to boil over medium heat. Reduce to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened and has almost halved in volume.
  3. This means you’ll be left with about 12 ounces of simple syrup, which is way more than you’ll need for this drink: Store it in a jar in your fridge (it’ll keep for a few weeks) to spoon into your tea in the morning.
  1. For the punch:
  2. Stir all liquids together in a big bowl.
  3. This yields a little less than 3/4 gallon, so pour it into a gallon-sized plastic travel jug and take it for a picnic.
  4. Pour it into plastic, park-approved cups over ice. Garnish with a lemon slice, and feel no pain.

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4 Reviews

Stephanie August 8, 2015
Anyone out there have a recommendation for the lemonade? We are taking this camping and I considered a frozen or premade lemonade, but I am afraid to be adding it's sugars into the mix as well...
Nancy July 28, 2015
I'm guessing (but would be happy to have recipe author Kendra jump in here) that the honey is diluted to a simple syrup so it mixes more readily and easily into the punch. Viscous whole honey might not mix or stay mixed. OTOH, for one batch of punch you only need 1/4 cup syrup, so why not mix just that small amount, and leave the rest of the honey bear (or other good artisanal honey) to drowse in the cupboard for another future use?
drunkenboxer June 17, 2015
Wait. If you take 12 oz of honey, mix with 12 oz of water, and simmer down to 12 oz, why not just use 12 oz of honey? What is the heat doing, other than possibly destroying the complex and subtle flavors in the honey? (Although, the flavor of the honey in the plastic bear isn't particularly complex...)
Joe June 19, 2015
I was thinking the same thing. Honey has an indefinite shelf life...now it suddenly only lasts a few weeks?