Groom's Fish House Punch

This southern-inflected riff off Philadelphia Fish House Punch shows off the peach notes of Southern Comfort and incorporates another southern favorite: bourbon.

1/2 lb granulated sugar
zest and juice of 6 lemons
1/2 pint bourbon
1/4 pint Southern Comfort
1/4 pint 5-year Malmsey Madeira
1 pint water

In a bowl, dissolve the sugar in the water and add the zest and juice of the lemons (finely microplaned) and the spirits. Stir and serve over a block of ice for slow dilution.

Joe Raya, The Gin Joint, Charleston, South Carolina