Mr Micawber’s Hot Gin Punch
Rich and warming, this pineapple, citrus and spice-packed gin punch is a delicious addition to any Christmas party.
Introduction
This is a perfect drink to warm the cockles after a long day or to take in a flask out for a walk in the park on a chilly Sunday afternoon. Full of rich flavours, spice and aromatic sweetness, it’s a great winter warmer and one I’ve pulled out at many Christmas parties over the years
Ingredients
| 200ml | Hendrick's Gin |
| 200ml | Madeira wine |
| 2 tsp | brown sugar |
| 6 large | lemon and orange twists |
| 1 small | slice of orange |
| 1 | fresh pineapple (peeled and cored) |
| 4 tsp | honey |
| Juice of 2 | lemons |
| 3 | cloves |
| Pinch of | nutmeg |
| 1 tsp | cinnamon powder |
| Pineapple wedge and ginger biscuit, to garnish |
Method
Difficulty level: Exceedingly easy.
Mixing method: Combined.
Style: Hot.
Glass: Teacup
Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and place on the heat. Let the concoction simmer for 20–30 minutes.
Taste, adding lemon juice or honey depending on whether you prefer it sweet or soup.
When it’s ready, pour into a teapot and serve in teacups. Alternatively, serve in a traditional punch bowl.
Garnish with a pineapple wedge and ginger biscuit.
Top tip: this can be reheated, so you can make it ahead of time and warm it back up when you’re ready to serve.
Curious fact: Charles Dickens was a lover of punch and it crops up in many of his works. Even Bob Cratchit and Scrooge get in on the act. This punch, though, is inspired by Mr Wilkins Micawber, who is a character in David Copperfield. He was described as drinking ‘a glass of punch with an air of great enjoyment’.
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