The Ladino Punch

The Ladino Punch

By Andrew “the Alchemist”

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

--------------------

--------------------

The Ladino Punch

Devised by Andrew “the Alchemist”

I got a request on Facebook for a drink using the citron, since it should be available now in Jewish markets as the etrog.

I thought that the juice of the citron might go well with a Spanish brandy.  The most commonly-available Spanish brandy is Fundador.

I called it the Ladino Punch, since Ladino is the particularly Jewish dialect of Spanish.

Feel free to adjust the number of sugar cubes, according to taste.

This drink is highly-seasonal.  Enjoy it while you can still get the citrons!

Service-ware: 10½ fl-oz. glass punch tumbler

→ 4 fl-oz. service ice (4 full-ounce cubes)

Combine in a mixing tin:

→ 4 or 5 sugar cubes (standard 1 tsp. equivalent)

First rub the sugar cubes against the citron/etrog over the tin to extract the essential oils from the peel

Drop each sugar cube in the tin as you go

Add:

→ 1 fl-oz. freshly-pressed citron/etrog juice

Muddle until the cubes have dissolved into the juice

Add:

→ 2 fl-oz. Spanish brandy

→ 1½ fl-oz. brewed tea (cooled)

→ plenty of method ice

Cover with half-tin and shake vigorously to mix, chill, dilute and aerate

Finely-strain into the service-ware

Insert straw

Garnish by twisting a strip of citron/etrog zest over the drink and then dropping it in

Enjoy!