Jenkins Punch Recipes

According to his great-grandson, Cedric, Charles Dickens ''loved the ritual of mixing the evening glass of Gin Punch, which he performed with all the energy and discrimination of Mr. Micawber.'' You may recall that, in ''David Copperfield,'' Wilkins Micawber is uplifted by a humble gin punch: ''I never saw a man so thoroughly enjoy himself amid the fragrance of lemon-peel and sugar, the odour of burning spirit, and the steam of boiling water, as Mr. Micawber did that afternoon." Although this is called a punch, note that it's a serving for one - but don't let that stop you from making it for company. Its combination of spirit, warmth and spice will bring to mind a hot toddy, and it's fragrant and flavorful enough to supplant the more familiar whiskey-based version - at least for a season.

Provided by Rosie Schaap

Categories     cocktails

Number Of Ingredients 10

• Ingredients

My granny always made this punch. She practically raised me; we lived with her until my daddy bought us a house and moved us out when I was still a little boy. My grandmother was a hardworking Southern woman, always cooking and cleaning her house. This is her recipe for as refreshing and fragrant a summer drink as you can imagine-a really intensely flavored version of sweet tea, if you will. It's a family favorite to this day. (It doesn't call for Crown Royal, and I don't even mind.) One thing, though: My granny's last name wasn't Jenkins, and she never did tell me who this recipe is originally named after; that's a mystery for the ages, I guess.

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

• Ingredients