If you’re hosting friends for the Kentucky Derby tomorrow, then odds are you’ve already got your mint juleps planned out and ready to go. But if you haven’t, no problem! We’ve got a punch recipe which you can quickly whip up before your guests arrive, then easily serve to please a crowd.
Whilst the iconic spirit for the day is bourbon, this recipe takes a different approach, swapping in Irish whiskey instead. If you haven’t tried Irish whiskies before, these tend to be lighter and fruitier than their Scotch counterparts, making them ideal subs for bourbon. Throw in some vanilla liqueur with cherry and tangerine juice, plus a spicy and sparkling hit of ginger beer, and you’ve got a punch that’s fit for the occasion — now all you need to do is find an appropriately fancy outfit to wear.
Irish Punch
Recipe by Jes Gutierrez-Switaj
Ingredients for the batched version:
- 4 cups (32 oz) Natterjack Irish Whiskey
- 1/2 cup (4 oz) Giffard Vanille de Madagascar
- 4 cups (32 oz) Tart Cherry Juice
- 2 cups (16 oz) Ginger Beer
- 2 cups (8 oz) Natalie’s Tangerine Juice
- 2 oz Lemon Juice
- 12 Dashes Orange Bitters (optional)
For a single serving:
- 2 oz Natterjack Irish Whiskey
- .25 oz Giffard Vanille de Madagascar
- 2 oz Tart Cherry Juice
- 1 oz Ginger Beer
- .5 oz Tangerine Juice
- Squeeze of Lemon
- 1 Dash Orange Bitters (optional)
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or punch bowl with some ice and orange slices. Serve over ice garnished with fresh mint and orange slices.
