New Year's Day Punch

Dan-Amer #1's Note:

Southerners are known for punches and this one from Petersburg, VA is typical. The recipe came from a cookbook published many years ago by Christ and Grace Episcopal Church. The tea should be made using 6 tsp. black tea and 2 tsp. green tea.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 35 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 5 quarts

• 1 dozen lemon, peeled
• 1 lb sugar
• 1 quart tea
• 1 quart rum
• 1 quart gin
• 2 quarts sparkling water

Directions:

1. Place the lemon peels in a bowl and pour the boiling tea over them. Squeeze the lemon juice over the sugar. When the tea is cool, strain out the lemon peels and combine with the sugar-lemon juice. Add the rum. If you wish you can stop here and bottle this mixture which will keep in a cool place indefinitely. When ready to serve the punch, add the gin and the sparkling water. Serve over a large block of ice or 1 quart of crushed ice, if desired.