Last summer, I invited Rhode Island artist and glass blower Eva Goodman to work with me to create a perfect personal punch bowl with its own sipping straw—a festive oversized drinking vessel to sit in the palm of your hand, designed for a summer fruit punch that embraces what’s local and seasonal. Eva went to work in her studio and I went to work on the recipe—and the Peach Rhubarb Personal Punch was born!
Here, peach and rhubarb are combined for a zesty punch with a balance of peach’s fragrant fruitiness and rhubarb’s tart acidity. This fresh lime zest cordial is based on the original Rose’s lime juice recipe and is used in lieu of oleo saccharum (citrus zest and sugar) found in traditional punch recipes. The recipe is designed for flexibility: Simply multiply each ingredient by the number of guests, batch in Mason jars and store in the fridge until it’s time for cocktails on the lawn or porch. Swap in plums, nectarines or apricots for peaches as the harvest season unfolds. It’s the perfect personal fruit punch for your summertime cohort.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces your favorite spirit (I recommend blanco tequila)
- 1½ ounces Peach-Rhubarb Syrup*
- ½ ounce fresh-pressed lime juice
- ½ ounce Lime Zest Cordial**
- Edible blossoms + lime wheel (for garnish)
Instructions
Personal punch is a summertime game changer designed to be sipped over the course of cocktail hour. Hand someone their own designated punch bowl and watch their smile turn into a grin.
Pour liquid ingredients into an individual punch bowl or Mason jar filled ¾ full with ice and stir for 10 seconds. Garnish with a lime wheel and edible blossoms.
*Peach-Rhubarb Syrup
1 cup peeled and diced ripe peach
1 cup diced rhubarb
1 cup organic cane sugar
2 cups water
In a medium saucepan, sweat the peach and rhubarb over medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes while stirring to release the juices. Add sugar and water and bring to a low simmer for 20 minutes or until the solution resembles the consistency of liquidy jam. Cool to room temperature, pour in a blender and pulse for 20 seconds, until smooth. Strain the solution though a fine-mesh strainer and funnel into a clean bottle or Mason jar. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
**Lime Zest Cordial
12 limes
1 cup sugar
8 ounces fresh turmeric (optional)
Wash limes in warm water, scrub each with a vegetable brush and wipe dry with a clean dish towel. Peel limes with vegetable peeler, removing as little white pith as possible and set zest aside. Juice the limes. Muddle zests in a nonreactive bowl, add sugar and lime juice and stir until fully dissolved. If making the turmeric version, wash and grate the turmeric and stir into the batch. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Strain the cordial through a fine-mesh strainer or chinois, compost or discard the solids. Funnel cordial into a clean bottle or Mason jar and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
