5 crowd-pleasing punch recipes to bulk up your buzz

5 crowd-pleasing punch recipes to bulk up your buzz

IMAGE: MASHABLE, VICKY LETA

BY LAURA VITTOJUN 08, 2015

No party host wants to spend all night in the kitchen creating custom craft cocktails for each guest. In times like these, it's best to employ a punch, the tastiest — and arguably cheapest — option.

Mixologist Patrick Williams from Denver-based restaurant and entertainment company Punch Bowl Social is a huge proponent of properly brewed punch. This means developing recipes that feature the traditional five elements in a drink: sour, sweet, strong, weak and spice.

SEE ALSO: Cocktails 101: A simple guide to making mixed drinks

With these elements in mind, Williams develops recipes that create harmony between ingredients, creating a drink for your guests that isn't too strong or too sweet. Check out five of Williams' favorite punch creations, and consider one for your next boozy bash.

• 

  From Williams: "The malt notes from the scotch get cut nicely by the acidity of the apple liqueur and the slight bitterness of the blood orange juice."

  IMAGE: PATRICK WILLIAMS/MASHABLE, VICKY LETA

• 

  From Williams: "This is a feature at Punch Bowl Social’s Detroit location. This punch takes the botanical notes of the London Dry gin to the next level with lavender and cherry."

  IMAGE: PATRICK WILLIAMS/MASHABLE, VICKY LETA

• 

  From Williams: "A delicious bourbon punch, floral notes from the liqueur and fruit notes from the tea play well with the bourbon base."

  IMAGE: PATRICK WILLIAMS/MASHABLE, VICKY LETA

• 

  From Williams: "This is Punch Bowl Social’s most popular spring and summer time punch. Shrubs are basically vinegar infusions that help balance drinks with their acidity. The watermelon shrub and cardamom syrup come together to provide a really unique flavor combination."

  IMAGE: PATRICK WILLIAMS/MASHABLE, VICKY LETA

• 

  From Williams: "The richness of the 8-year-old rum plays well with the floral notes of the elderflower liqueur and lime juice pairs naturally."

  IMAGE: PATRICK WILLIAMS/MASHABLE, VICKY LETA

Show As Gallery