Ale Punch - Imbibe Magazine Subscribe + Save

Ale Punch

ale punch

One of the few recipes with beer that appears in Jerry Thomas’ 1862 Bar-Tender’s Guide.

This ale punch is one of the few recipes with beer that appears in Jerry Thomas’ 1862 Bar-Tender’s Guide. Portland bartender Jacob Grier updated the recipe for a modern audience because it’s “easy to make, refreshing, and perfect for a party when you don’t want to be stuck mixing individual cocktails,” he says.

Instead of going the traditional route and trying to source the rare maidenhair fern to make the capillaire, he tweaked a recipe from David Wondrich to make the process easier while still maintaining the ingredient’s classic orange aroma. Think of it as a refreshing beer-fueled sangria, without the burden of fresh fruit.

Ingredients

Yield:6-8
  • 1 quart English-style ale (Grier says Old Speckled Hen works well)
  • 2 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 oz. capillaire
  • 2 oz. dry white wine
  • 2 oz. brandy
  • Tools:punch bowl, ladle
  • Glass:punch glasses
  • Garnish:peel of 1 lemon, cut into wide swaths and freshly grated nutmeg

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl and slip in a large block of ice. Grate nutmeg over the surface of the punch and ladle into punch glasses. Serves 6-8.
CapillaireCombine 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water in a pot over medium heat and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 tsp. of orange flower water and bottle. Store refrigerated. Makes about 2 cups (480mL).

Enjoy This Article?

Sign up for our newsletter and get biweekly recipes and articles delivered to your inbox.

Send this to a friend