Brightest Young Things

Holy shit it's still cold! Really cold! I can't wait to get home tonight and take another crack at this one. The taste isn't phenomenal but the combination of a hot drink and lots of alcohol makes it a moot point. It's cold. I wish the Punch Club were open tonight instead of Thursday (FYI, Punch Club closes 3/12, go now!)

Martin's Rum-Orange Punch

• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 3/4 oz Rose's lime juice
• 1 barspoon powdered sugar
• dashes sugar syrup
• 1 1/2 oz orange juice
• 1/4 oz Southern Comfort
• 1 1/4 oz Dark Rum (I caved and got Captain Morgan's because it's a heated drink and not meant for sipping)
• 1/4 high octane Rum (I use Bacardi 151 but if you're all that is man try this)
• assorted lemon and orange peels

Heat well on the stove but do NOT boil! Keep stirring on low until everything is well mixed. You could cheat and turn it up to medium and take it off right when it starts boiling but it actually does make a difference in the taste, believe it or not. Drink in copious amounts because holy crap it's cold outside.

If you want something with more fruit (think rum punch with fruit salad inside) and less knock-you-on-your-ass rum try this gem from Food Network Canada (oh, Canada!). The pomegranate and kumquats are a nice touch as is the nutmeg and allspice to remind us that it's not quite Spring yet, DC.