Drink of the Month: Kentucky Christmas Punch

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Tis the season for punch and cookies! Somewhere along the way, Christmas punch lost its way and fell out of popularity, but this year, punch is back and hotter than ever. Small-batch punch bars are popping up all over America, where punch can be ordered as a single serving or an entire bowl to share with friends.

Kentucky Christmas Punch keeps it close to home, with bourbon as the holiday spirit of choice. Cinnamon simple syrup complements the bourbon, with the tartness of cranberry juice balancing out the combination.

For holiday entertaining success, modernize the setup: Serve the make-ahead punch in a decorative bottle or pitcher with ice on the side. Guests will serve themselves fresh punch while the host sits back and enjoys the party.

Ingredients:

Single serving

• 2 ounces bourbon

• 1 ounce cinnamon simple syrup

• 3 ounces cranberry

• Splash of club soda

• Wedge of lime

Punch Bowl

(12 servings)

• 1 750-milliliter bottle of bourbon

• 64 ounces cranberry juice

• 1 batch cinnamon simple syrup (recipe follows)

• 8 ounces club soda

• Lime wedges for garnish

• Cinnamon sticks for garnish

To build a single-serving drink, add bourbon, syrup and cranberry juice to glass. Stir. Add ice, then a splash of club soda. Garnish with lime wedge and cinnamon stick.

For the small-batch punch, combine bourbon, syrup and cranberry juice in a large pitcher; stir. Add club soda and stir gently. With a funnel, pour into decorative bottle then serve. Punch can be used immediately or refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Cinnamon Simple Syrup

• 5 short cinnamon sticks

• 5 whole cloves

• 2 star anise pods

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

In a medium saucepan, toast cinnamon, cloves and star anise over medium-high heat, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes. Cinnamon will become dark. Add sugar and water to pan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. When sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat. Cover and cool for two hours, then strain mixture. Pour mixture into a decorative bottle and refrigerate for up to two weeks. cc

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