Artillery Punch
A historic and formidable libation, the Artillery Punch is a heavy-hitting party drink loaded with a complex arsenal of spirits including rye, rum, brandy, and red wine. Balanced with black tea and citrus, it is a potent classic perfect for large gatherings.
What it tastes like
The aroma is defined by spiced rye and earthy black tea. On the palate, funky Jamaican rum and herbal Bénédictine balance the dry tannins of the red wine. The mouthfeel is robust and drying, finishing with a sharp citrus zest and lingering wood spice.
Flavour profile
Ingredients
- Black Tea (brewed and cooled)1 ml
- Rye Whiskey1 ml
- Red Wine (Full-bodied)750 ml
- Jamaican Rum1 ml
- Brandy0.5 ml
- Bénédictine1.5 oz
- Orange Juice1 ml
- Lemon Juice0.5 ml
- Lemon Peel10 slices
Preparation
- 1
Brew the black tea and allow it to cool completely.
- 2
In a large punch bowl, combine the tea, rye whiskey, red wine, Jamaican rum, brandy, Bénédictine, orange juice, and lemon juice.
- 3
Stir the mixture gently to integrate the ingredients.
- 4
Add a large block of ice to the bowl to chill the punch continuously without rapid dilution.
- 5
Taste the mixture; if it is too dry, gradually stir in sugar syrup to taste.
- 6
Garnish by twisting lemon peels over the bowl to release oils and dropping them in.
Substitutions
- Rye WhiskeyBourbon — Bourbon adds a rounder profile with notes of vanilla and caramel instead of the sharp spice of rye.
- Jamaican RumDemerara Rum — Demerara rum provides a darker, molasses-heavy richness with less tropical funk.
- BénédictineYellow Chartreuse — This swap introduces a brighter, honey-forward herbal character while maintaining a similar sweetness.
- Black TeaEarl Grey Tea — Earl Grey introduces a distinct bergamot citrus aroma that emphasizes the lemon peel oils.
Variations
Sparkling Artillery
Top individual servings with dry sparkling wine to add carbonation and lighten the heavy spirit base.
Port Artillery
Replace the full-bodied red wine with Ruby Port for a richer punch with deeper fruit notes and higher sugar content.