This punch, from Zac Overman of Sitka & Spruce in Seattle, is mouthwateringly tart and slightly fizzy, juicy and a little herbal, thanks to fresh strawberries, thyme, and Bonal, a flavorful French aperitif that's bittered with cinchona and gentian. It's easy to batch up the punch mix in advance, then combine it with Cava, Crémant, or another dry sparkling wine in each serving glass.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
Small lidded pitcher or quart-size Mason jar, fine-mesh strainer, Collins glasses for serving
INGREDIENTS
For the Strawberry-Thyme Syrup:
1 cup (240ml) water
1 cup (195g) sugar
1/2 cup quartered strawberries (about 5 to 6 small berries; 65g)
7 sprigs fresh thyme
For the Punch Mix:
4 ounces (120ml) Strawberry-Thyme Syrup
6 ounces (180ml) pisco (such as Barsol)
6 ounces (180ml) Bonal
6 ounces (180ml) fresh juice from 4 lemons
To Serve:
1 (750ml) bottle dry sparkling wine, chilled
DIRECTIONS
1.
For the Strawberry-Thyme Syrup: Add water, sugar, strawberries, and thyme to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer to remove solids. Let cool before using. Syrup can be refrigerated up to 1 week.
2.
For the Punch Mix: Combine Strawberry-Thyme Syrup, pisco, Bonal, and lemon in a small lidded pitcher or quart-size Mason jar. (You will have 22 ounces of the punch mix.) Stir to combine. At this point, mix can be used immediately or covered and refrigerated up to 10 hours. Extra Strawberry-Thyme Syrup can be served with seltzer for a nonalcoholic drink.
3.
To Serve: Fill each Collins glass with ice. Add 3 ounces sparkling wine and 2 3/4 ounces punch mix to each glass and stir gently. Serve immediately.
