Episode 43 - How'd You Like a Nice Swedish Punsch?

Back when they made books to last! Hinges even!

Hey! How’d you like a nice non-Hawaiian Punsch?  You would?  You want a Swedish Punsch?  Fantastic.  You’ve come to the right place, because Swedish Punsch is featured in both of the drinks in this latest episode.

What is Swedish Punsch exactly?  Well, as it says on the Kronan Swedish Punsch website,

RICH HISTORY. BOLD FLAVOR.

Created from sugar cane spirits from the East and West Indies, KRONAN Swedish Punsch offers a rich, full-bodied rum palate with complex notes of toffee, smoke, molasses and leather.
The history of Swedish punsch dates back to 1733 when the Swedish East India Company started importing the main ingredient – the sugar cane spirit Batavia Arrack. Since that time, punsch has held a unique place in Swedish culture. Originally it was mixed using heat to melt the sugar into the alcohol and served while warm. With bottled commercial versions appearing around 1840, it became more common to serve it chilled.
By the turn of the 20th century, Swedish punsch found its way to America, where it became an essential ingredient in numerous classic cocktails. In the turmoil of prohibition and global war it disappeared from the market until the launch of KRONAN Swedish Punsch in 2012.

Doesn’t it seem like a mistake not to make a drink with this stuff?

Both of our drinks come from the first cocktail book that Gentleman Jason ever bought on eBay!  The wooden covered book is called “Just Cocktails” and was edited and compiled by W.C. Whitfield.  This book dates back to 1939 so you know the tastes you’ll be tasting are truly vintage.  Let’s give them a whirl.

First up is drink called “The Lasky”.  We don’t know who it is named after for sure, but we decided that it was probably named after a professional boxer named Art Lasky.  Even if it wasn’t, this drink is a real knockout!  

(pause for extended laughter)

The Lasky
-from Just Cocktails, 1939, compiled by W.C. Whitfield

1 ounce gin
1 ounce Swedish Punsch
1 ounce grape juice

Shake ingredients in an iced cocktail shaker, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Don't let the cut glass fool you, this drink packs a devastaing "punsch"!

Gin and grape juice?  Yes!  It works!  In fact it all works.  The Swedish Punsch has this warm rummy flavour that sort of gloms on to the tartness of the grape juice, making the Punsch itself a little fruitier.  Then along comes old man gin just to remind you that this truly is a cocktail after all.  Really neat and a taste you haven’t had since the second world war.

After that, why not try a “Volstead”?  This drink is cheekily named after Andrew Volstead, the U.S. Congressman who sponsored and championed the bill that brought about Prohibition in the United States.  Take that Mr.Volstead!  Oh, excuse me . . . Congressman Volstead.

The Volstead
-from Just Cocktails, 1939, compiled by W.C. Whitfield

1 ounce Swedish Punsch
1 ounce rye
1/2 ounce orange juice
1/2 ounce raspberry syrup
dash of anisette

Shake ingredients in an iced cocktail shaker, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Prohibition? Oh, right, that thing that Volstead foisted on us!

We’ll tell  you up front, this is a sweet drink.  Everything in it is already kind of sweet, and it all adds up quickly.  It works though.  The raspberry syrup and the orange juice can both be tasted and don’t try to out flavour each other.  Any edges the rye might have are smoothed off by the rummy, toffee goodness of the Swedish Punsch.  Could it benefit from a little splash of club soda?  Maybe.  Give it a try and let us know.  Maybe a twist of lemon too.  Maybe lime.  Something a little tart to slap the sweet in the face with!

Speaking of sweethearts (see what we did there? Tart?  Sweet?  Sweethearts?), join us next time for a couple of pink drinks that are sure to be the highlight of your Valentine's Day!   Until then, TIP BIG!!