Have Plate Will Travel : November 2016

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Monday, November 14, 2016

Friendsgiving Thanksgiving Punches Serve Up a Jovial Holiday




Thanksgiving has become Friendsgiving for many people. For many, friends are like the family that they always wanted. Instead of fighting with Aunt Mary over lumpy gravy, friends will tell you forget the gravy and wash away your sorrows with a cocktail. After all, the holidays are about being together and making memories. We all would like some happy, long-standing memories filled with love and laughter (not your sister in law setting you on fire – yes, that really happened to me)

If you’re celebrating a Friendsgiving, a holiday punch is a perfect companion to your meal. The punch gets the bartender out from behind the bar. One big bowl of libations keeps the mood jovial from the first drink to the last drop. 

Here are a few holiday inspired punches that are perfect for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving or any time during the holiday season. 

 The Hendrick’s Gin Hippocras Punch
Created by the Hendrick’s Gin Brand Ambassador Team
Ingredients:
4 parts white wine (rather dry and fruity)
2 parts Hendrick’s Gin
1 part Chamomile tea
½ pineapple chopped
1 ¼ cups sugar
3 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
4 orange peels
1 teaspoon grounded white pepper
Method: Combine all of the ingredients in a small pot and simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Pour into a teapot and serve hot in teacups.  Garnish with pineapple, cinnamon stick and orange peel.

Flor de Fuego Punch
Created by Flor de Caña Brand Ambassador, Ashela Richardson
Ingredients:
2 parts strongly steeped earl grey tea (hot)
1 part Flor de Caña 7 gran reserva
1/2 part blanc vermouth
1/2 part Averna amaro
Mix ingredients in a pitcher (or French press) add to each glass, a small spoon of honey. Pour in the warm punch, mix in the honey.
For the garnish, drop in one flamed orange peel and rest on the edge of the glass, a small stem of charred dried rosemary.

 Carpe Dia Punch
Created by National Ambassador Jaime Salas

Milagro Añejo  2 parts
Lime Juice 1 Part
Blackberry Syrup 0.75 Part
Sage Leaf 1 EA
Hibiscus Tea 1 Part
Ginger Beer 1 part
Garnish: Blackberries & Sage                                                                                                               
Glass: Punch bowl                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                      
Method: Build all ingredients except ginger beer in a punch bowl over a block of ice. Top with ginger beer right before stirring interminately.