Mad Men Canadian Clubhouse Punch

Greetings, friends!

We are on the cusp of another season of Mad Men. I believe that it has been clearly documented in this blog how much I enjoy what might be one of the greatest television series of all time.

In past years I have made cocktails, canapes, salads, and Steak Diane; for this season I am serving up a festive libation that would be suitable for any celebratory occasion–Canadian Clubhouse Punch! (and yes, this is the punch that I served at my birthday party!)

Punches are just perfect for a party–in lieu of a bar, just have on hand a selection of wine and beer, and then a punch. You don’t have to buy a ton of assorted liquors and mixers and everyone just serves themselves. Brilliant.

This recipe is from the Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook
(Which is definitely one of my favorite cookbooks–you should get yourself a copy).

Canadian Clubhouse Punch

NOTE: Freeze a block of ice in advance for the punch bowl.
  • Thin peel of 2 oranges
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups orange juice
  • 6 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tsp orange extract
  • 4 oz blackberry liqueur or brandy
  • 1 bottle Canadian club whisky (750 ml)
  • 1 block of ice for punch bowl
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced in half-moons

1. In large mixing bowl, mash orange peel and sugar. Add orange juice and lemon juice and stir until sugar dissolves. and orange extract, brandy, and whiskey and stir. cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

2. Take punch out of refrigerator and remove orange peel with a slotted spoon. Place block of ice in a punch bowl and pour punch into bowl. Float orange slices in bowl, or garnish each punch cup with a slice.

Yep, I did all that.

mixing of sugar and rind
I mixed that sugar and orange rind!

Well, actually I went a step above and beyond–I didn’t do just a block of ice, I made a decorative ice ring of layered lemon and orange slices. Tres chic!

citrus ice ring
Another use for Jell-O molds!

Let me say that I was absolutely stunned by the Canadian Clubhouse Punch. Well, not stunned–I wasn’t shocked because the recipe is nothing but whiskey, brandy, and a wee bit of mixer–but I was still stunned (with delight?). A stiff libation is A-OK with me, but I didn’t want a house full of blotto guests so I diluted it with some ginger ale. After that, it was all gravy–well, it was delicious punch–oh, you get what I mean.

I didn’t have a punch bowl so I used a huge metal mixing bowl. Not the classiest of vessels, but who cares when you’re serving up such a potent punch?

Canadian Club House Punch
I wish that I had a better picture of my ice ring.

As the night wore on and the punch dwindled, I added a bit of this and a hint of that to keep those orange slices afloat. At the end the punch was a hodgepodge of Canadian Club Whisky, Brandy, orange juice, diet ginger ale, cranberry Canada Dry, with a smattering of orange slices and Maraschino cherries (I gave everyone a cherry in the bottom of their cup with their first serving–festive!!!).

The punch was like a grab bag–you never knew exactly what you were gonna get in your cup. Which is kinda fun–the cocktail changing throughout the party. I didn’t receive any complaints!

If you are hosting some friends for Sunday’s night premiere, I highly recommend this punch. It’s totally potent, totally pleasing, and Don Draper-approved! Plus, you don’t have to play bartender all night!

I am going to close with this year’s look. The show is entering the late 60s (or so I think–have they revealed that?) so I’m a little bit more mod–the eye-makeup and the turtleneck—but in the spirit of Joan I did the hair and am sporting an actual, honest to God, pencil necklace that my parents scored from an antique store (probably somewhere out in the middle of nowhere). My parents are rad.

DSCF5172[1]

Yeah, the pose is awkward, but I really wanted to showcase my badass necklace and this was the best one.

Anyway, I’m going to close with two of my favorite moments of the past season. Fat Betty,  I will miss you. I related to you, girl.

Done it.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Look at Betty eat those Bugles. Like. A. Boss.

 

Enjoy the show! And buy the Unoffical Mad Men Cookbook by Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin HERE.

(Oh, I wanna note that I’m not getting anything from the book people–I just think that the cookbook is pretty damn cool and I’ve made a ton of recipes from it)

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0 thoughts on “Mad Men Canadian Clubhouse Punch

  1. this sounds yummy beyond belief but, I fear, it would leave me somewhat blotto. you are quickly becoming the queen of the festive ice ring!

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