French 75 Punch Recipe-February 2024-www.zdask.com

　　The French 75 is a classic cocktail usually made with cognac, though gin is sometimes substituted, and that's the spirit I call for in this recipe. It typically isn't served as a punch but works quite well in this format. Serve this fresh, fragrant variation at any occasion that calls for toasting, like a brunch or a bridal or baby shower.

　　A simple chunk of ice, such as one frozen in a loaf pan or bowl will suffice, but for a special, decorative touch, consider freezing orange wheels inside the ice.

Ingredients

Serves 8; Total Volume: 7 3/4 cups (without ice)

　　16 ounces (2 cups) gin (preferably a London dry gin, such as Tanqueray)

　　8 ounces (1 cup) freshly squeezed lemon juice

　　6 ounces (3/4 cup) simple syrup

　　1/2 teaspoon orange bitters

　　32 ounces (4 cups) dry Champagne or other sparkling dry white wine, chilled

　　1 large ice block or two smaller blocks

　　8 orange wheels, for garnish

Step 1

In a punch bowl, combine the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters and stir until thoroughly blended.

Step 2

Just before serving, pour in the Champagne and stir gently. Add the ice and garnish with the orange wheels.

Step 3

To serve, ladle into punch glasses.

　　Reprinted with permission from Cocktails for a Crowd: More than 40 Recipes for Making Popular Drinks in Party-Pleasing Batches by Kara Newman. Text copyright © 2013 by Kara Newman; photographs copyright © 2013 by Teri Lyn Fisher. Published by Chronicle Books, LLC.