Golden Ginger-Lemon Vodka Punch

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A great punch accomplishes several things: it’s delicious, it finds the balance between strong and weak, and of course, it’s pretty.

One-Bottle Punches
Photo: Victor Protasio
Hands On Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 45 mins
Yield:
16 cups

This gorgeously yellow number (on the left above) fits the bill, thanks to a clever ginger-turmeric syrup that lends its spicy and earthy flavors to vodka, and of course, it looks festive enough to be the centerpiece of the bar. Another subtle win of this recipe is that it calls for the entire bottle of vodka. So often punch recipes call for just a cup or two, leaving you with a bottle to sit and gather dust above the fridge. Cheers!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 (2-in.) piece fresh ginger, unpeeled and thinly sliced (⅓ cup)

  • 1 tablespoon ground turmeric

  • 1 (liter) bottle vodka

  • 3 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 16 lemons)

  • ½ cup honey

  • 1 (liter) bottle club soda, chilled

Directions

  1. Stir together sugar, water, and ginger in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high; boil, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in turmeric. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a bowl; discard solids.

  2. Stir together ginger-turmeric syrup, vodka, lemon juice, and honey in a large pitcher or punch bowl until combined. Chill at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

  3. To serve, gently stir in chilled club soda; pour into glasses filled with ice.

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