Champagne Holiday Punch

Name: Champagne Holiday Punch
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 8 drinks
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups genever, chilled; 1/2 cup orange curaçao, chilled; 1/2 cup Rich Simple Syrup (recipe link in intro); 10 dashes aromatic bitters, such as angostura; 1 cup sparkling water; 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1/2 cup sparkling wine or Champagne; Freshly grated nutmeg; Pineapple slices and star anise, for garnishing

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8 drinks Easy

Total: Under 5 mins Active: Under 5 mins

3 Ratings

Ingredients (9)

1 1/2 cups genever, chilled
1/2 cup orange curaçao, chilled
1/2 cup Rich Simple Syrup (recipe link in intro)
10 dashes aromatic bitters, such as angostura
1 cup sparkling water
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup sparkling wine or Champagne
Freshly grated nutmeg
Pineapple slices and star anise, for garnishing

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San Francisco mixologist Erick Castro taught us how to make this easy holiday punch. It’s a flexible recipe that works with almost any base spirit. Here we use genever, blended with orange curaçao, simple syrup, bitters, sparkling water, lemon juice, sparkling wine, and a touch of grated nutmeg. Garnish with pineapple slices and whole star anise before serving. You’ll need to make a batch of Rich Simple Syrup and freeze a large block of punch ice before you begin. See how to open a Champagne bottle too, in a way that’s safe and that preserves its sparkle.

What to buy: Infused with botanicals like juniper just like London-style gin, genever (a.k.a. Holland or Dutch gin) is a maltier, funkier relative that mixes very well in cocktails. Anchor Distilling and Bols make good versions.

Adapted from Erick Castro

Tips for Christmas

Tip

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

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Next: What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

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What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.

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Next: How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

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How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.

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Next: Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

Instructions

1Pour the genever, orange curaçao, simple syrup, and bitters into a punch bowl and stir to combine.
2Add the sparkling water, lemon juice, and sparkling wine or Champagne just before serving.
3Place a large block of ice in the punch and stir gently just to combine. Grate nutmeg over top of the punch, and garnish with pineapple slices and star anise.

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