Fish House Punch
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 17.3% ABV ∙
The Fish House Punch is a punch-style batch cocktail of brandy and rum with peach liqueur, tea, and lemon, shaken and served long over ice. Fruity peach and citrus ride over a warm brandy-rum base, with the cold tea adding a light tannic backbone before a clean, not-too-sweet finish.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Brandy 30 mlLight gold rum 30 mlPeach liqueur 20 mlCold black tea 30 mlLemon juice 15 mlSugar syrup 10 ml
- Strain into the ice-filled glass
- Garnish with a lemon slice
- Note: Can be scaled up and served from a punch bowl or a large pitcher
Tips
- Brew the black tea well ahead and chill it fully before measuring; adding warm tea melts ice and over-dilutes the shake.
- Shake all six ingredients hard with fresh ice for about 12-15 seconds since the mix of brandy, rum and peach liqueur needs full chilling and integration.
- Strain over new ice into a Collins glass rather than reusing the shaker ice, keeping the drink cold without extra water.
- Cut the lemon slice thin and float it on top just before serving so its oils perfume the first sip.
History
Fish House Punch traces to the State in Schuylkill, a Philadelphia fishing club nicknamed the "fish house," where it is held to have been first mixed in 1732. The earliest known written record comes from 1744, when the secretary of a Virginia Commissioners' delegation visiting Philadelphia described being served a huge bowl of lemon punch on the banks of the Schuylkill River, though the drink was not yet called by its later name. The punch became linked to George Washington, who is said to have drunk so much of it during a visit to the club that he skipped his diary entries for the following three days. It was traditionally mixed in a large communal bowl at the club and built around a base of rum, brandy, lemon, and peach brandy, a combination that changed little for close to two centuries after its creation.
FAQ
What is in a Fish House Punch?
Brandy and light gold rum form the base, joined by peach liqueur, cold black tea, lemon juice, and sugar syrup, shaken together and served over ice with a lemon slice. The tea and citrus give it a punch-like character rather than a straightforward sour.
Is a Fish House Punch shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The lemon juice, syrup, and tea all need the quick chilling and blending a shake provides; stirring alone would leave the mix under-diluted and unbalanced.
What glass is a Fish House Punch served in?
A Collins glass, filled with ice and garnished with a lemon slice, in keeping with its long, punch-like serve.
How strong is a Fish House Punch?
It comes in at about 17.3% ABV, making it noticeably lighter than a typical all-spirit cocktail since the tea, lemon, and syrup make up half the build. At around 225 calories per serving, it drinks more like a refreshing long punch than a strong spirit-forward drink.
Is a Fish House Punch vegan?
Yes, it is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, as none of its ingredients — brandy, rum, peach liqueur, tea, lemon juice, and sugar syrup — contain animal products.
