Chinese New Year is just around the corner and as you draw up plans to host friends and family at your home, ditch the uninspiring packet drinks for something far sexier: a boozy punch bowl.
It’s unconventional for sure but the occasion is perfect for it – not only is the quantity ideal for large gatherings, a punchbowl also takes little effort to prepare. Simply measure out your ingredients, and give it a good stir. Serve in the right vessel with eye-catching garnish and you have an easy conversation starter.
To get the flavour profiles just right, we approached cocktail bar The Library. There's no better time to challenge the barmen there to come up with a Chinese New Year appropriate recipe than now as they've recently tied up with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) giant Eu Yan Sang.
“It’s a chance to showcase how TCM can be made modern and relevant even to a younger generation,” says general manager Adam Bursik. “We’ve incorporated some of Eu Yan Sang’s herbs and ingredients into our drinks, things that aren’t commonly found in your usual cocktails, as a way of getting people to think differently about these herbs and ingredients.”
SEE ALSO: Native: The New Singapore Cocktail Bar That Serves Up Locally Foraged Ingredients
It’s unconventional for sure but the occasion is perfect for it – not only is the quantity ideal for large gatherings, a punchbowl also takes little effort to prepare. Simply measure out your ingredients, and give it a good stir. Serve in the right vessel with eye-catching garnish and you have an easy conversation starter.
To get the flavour profiles just right, we approached cocktail bar The Library. There's no better time to challenge the barmen there to come up with a Chinese New Year appropriate recipe than now as they've recently tied up with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) giant Eu Yan Sang.
“It’s a chance to showcase how TCM can be made modern and relevant even to a younger generation,” says general manager Adam Bursik. “We’ve incorporated some of Eu Yan Sang’s herbs and ingredients into our drinks, things that aren’t commonly found in your usual cocktails, as a way of getting people to think differently about these herbs and ingredients.”
SEE ALSO: Native: The New Singapore Cocktail Bar That Serves Up Locally Foraged Ingredients
Left: Adam Bursik, right: Lukas Kaufmann. Photo Credit: Wong Weiliang
The result? A punchbowl recipe with Chinese New Year accents simple enough for anyone to make at home.
“We used our collaboration with Eu Yan Sang as a base for this cocktail which is represented by chrysanthemum tea, and we combined it with fresh juice from mandarin oranges, which are very typical for Chinese New Year," says bar manager Lukas Kaufmann.
They have also added sparkling wine for that refreshing sensation as well as dry gin for, “a bit more character from the herbs and spices used in its production.”
Has that made you thirsty yet? Here’s the recipe.
“We used our collaboration with Eu Yan Sang as a base for this cocktail which is represented by chrysanthemum tea, and we combined it with fresh juice from mandarin oranges, which are very typical for Chinese New Year," says bar manager Lukas Kaufmann.
They have also added sparkling wine for that refreshing sensation as well as dry gin for, “a bit more character from the herbs and spices used in its production.”
Has that made you thirsty yet? Here’s the recipe.
The ingredients for the Rooster Punch. Photo credit: Wong Weiliang
Rooster Punch
150ml Dry Gin200ml Sparkling Wine
200ml Mandarin Orange Juice
150ml Chrysanthemum Tea
75ml Lemongrass Syrup
Lemongrass Syrup
50g Lemongrass
200ml Water
Caster sugar
75ml Lemon Juice
Step 1: Make The Lemongrass Syrup
Cook the lemongrass in the water until it is soft.
Add 2 parts caster sugar per 1 part of the remaining water.
Step 2: Assemble The Punch
Mix all ingredients together, serve in a punch bowl with ice, and top up with sparkling wine. Garnish with jujubes or sweet dates.
Recommended Reading: Thirsty for more cocktail stories? Click here for more.
Cook the lemongrass in the water until it is soft.
Add 2 parts caster sugar per 1 part of the remaining water.
Step 2: Assemble The Punch
Mix all ingredients together, serve in a punch bowl with ice, and top up with sparkling wine. Garnish with jujubes or sweet dates.
Recommended Reading: Thirsty for more cocktail stories? Click here for more.
