Festive Whiskey Punch

Summer has its fair share of cocktails, but there are plenty of mixed drinks that are well suited for cooler times of the year. This whiskey punch is a delicious mix of warm whiskey, sweet tea, and vibrant citrus, making it ideal for tailgate and holiday parties. Whether you’re tailgating, need a new Thanksgiving cocktail, or you want a special Halloween drink, you’ll find whiskey punch spices up any autumn or winter event!

What is whiskey punch?

Traditionally, you make a drink referred to as a “punch” using a combination of five ingredients—alcohol, sugar, lemon or citrus juice, water, and spices. This whiskey punch follows the same general rules, and combines strong black tea with a sweetener, bourbon, and citrus.

Whiskey punch is a mixed drink that’s ideal for cooler weather. The citrus brings autumn and winter holidays to mind, while the whiskey adds a spicy warmth to the drink.

What is whiskey punch made of?

Like traditional punches, whiskey punch requires only five major ingredients.

• Black tea—and the water to steep it in
• Honey
• Bourbon
• Orange juice
• Juice of two lemons

You can also add some crushed ice and fresh mint sprigs prior to serving. This is a really simple drink recipe to make, and you don’t need any bartending skills to whip it up.

What kind of whiskey do I need?

This recipe is called whiskey punch, but we recommend using bourbon specifically. What’s the difference? There are a lot of whiskeys from all over—but bourbon is a type of whiskey made only in the United States. Bourbon tends to be a little smoother than other whiskeys, and is specifically made in charred-oak barrels.

You don’t need top shelf bourbon to make this recipe—a mid-range bottle works well. 

Can I use something other than honey?

Yes! As long as it’s sweet, you can substitute other ingredients for honey. Try substituting maple syrup or simple syrup in a 1:1 ratio for the honey. You could also use granulated sugar. Start with a ¼ cup of sugar and see what you think—you can always add more!

How do I make whiskey punch?

This is such an easy cocktail to make! You don’t need a cocktail shaker or any fancy skills to whip it up for your guests.

1. First, you’re going to want to brew your tea with boiling water.
2. Allow the tea to steep for roughly five minutes, then remove the tea bags and stir in the honey with a wooden spoon until it dissolves.
3. Combine the tea, citrus juices, and bourbon in a large pitcher.

That’s it! Just brew your tea, stir in the other ingredients, and you’ve got a sweet and citrusy whiskey punch your guests will love.

How should I serve this punch?

Whiskey punch is best served in a lowball glass—although you can use any glass you have on hand. Fill the glass with crushed ice, then pour punch over the top. Garnish with a sprig of mint leaves, orange slice, or a lemon slice if you’re feeling a little fancy. You can keep your whiskey punch in a pitcher, or you can set it out in a large punch bowl for your guests to serve themselves.