Spiced Gin Punch
A warming gin punch for a crowd, with cloudy apple juice, lemon and sugar steeped with cinnamon, clove and star anise, then gently warmed in a bowl.
Ingredients
- 300 ml gin
- 750 ml cloudy apple juice
- 60 ml fresh lemon juice
- 40 g caster sugar — to taste
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
Method
- Pour the cloudy apple juice into a large saucepan with the cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise.
- Add the sugar and lemon juice, then warm gently over a low heat without boiling.
- Let it steep at a bare simmer for 10 to 15 minutes so the spices infuse.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir through the gin.
- Ladle from a warmed punch bowl into heatproof mugs and serve.
How to serve
- Glassware
- Heatproof mug
- Serve temperature
- Warm, around 65°C
- Garnish
- Cinnamon stick and orange slice
When you are entertaining in the depths of winter, a warm punch beats mixing drinks one by one. This spiced gin punch leans on cloudy apple juice as its base, steeped with cinnamon, clove and star anise until the kitchen smells thoroughly festive, then lifted with lemon and finished with a generous measure of gin. Ladled from a warmed bowl, it keeps a gathering happy with very little effort.
As with all warm spirit drinks, the gin goes in off the heat so its botanicals stay bright and the punch keeps its strength.
Tips
Use cloudy apple juice for a fuller, more orchard-like body than clear juice gives. Taste before adding all the sugar, as apple juice varies in sweetness. Keep the punch on the lowest possible heat once assembled so it stays warm without cooking off the gin.
If apple and spice are the heart of this punch, a measure of Hot Apple Gin folded in alongside the regular gin deepens those notes still further, adding extra warmth to the bowl. It is a natural fit for a crowd, and the full recipe is in our Hot Apple Gin guide.
Variations
Stud an orange with cloves and float it in the bowl for both aroma and a handsome centrepiece. A handful of fresh cranberries adds colour and tartness, while a few coins of fresh ginger bring extra warmth for a livelier, spicier punch.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this punch ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the spiced apple base in advance and keep it warm on the lowest heat, then stir in the gin just before serving so its flavour stays fresh.
Why add the gin off the heat?
Boiling the gin drives off the alcohol and dulls its botanicals. Adding it once the pan is off the heat keeps the punch lively and aromatic.
How do I keep a punch bowl warm?
Warm the bowl with hot water first, then sit it over a gentle heat source or refresh it from the pan. Avoid letting the punch sit at a rolling heat.
Related recipes
Hot Gin Punch
A Dickens-era warmer of gin and Madeira lifted with lemon, pineapple and spice, gently heated into a fragrant punch made for sharing on cold nights.
Spiced Negroni
A winter twist on the classic Negroni, with gin, sweet vermouth and Campari rounded out by a touch of cinnamon-orange spiced syrup and a fragrant orange peel.
Hot Apple Gin
How to serve Hot Apple Gin — the warm gin-based apple & spice drink. Stemmed glass, gentle warmth, apple, cinnamon. Plus the moments and occasions where it lands best.
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