Classic Mixology: Cocktail & Mixed Drink Recipes
Menu

Meriton Latroon's Bantam Punch

Source:  Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl page:  117
Adapted by David Wondrich, from "The English Rogue, Continued, in the LIfe of Meriton Latroon and Other Extravagants. Comprehending the Most Eminent Cheats fo the Most Trades and Professions. The Second Part", 1668, by Richard Head / Francis Kirkman.
1 piece ambergris

Ingredient: ambergris

Also Known As:  Ambra grisea, Ambre gris, ambergrease, or grey amber What it is:  Additive

(More about ambergris)

 [size of a grain of barley]
1 ounce sugar

Ingredient: sugar

What it is:  Additive
Many 19th century recipes specifically called for white sugar, which is more refined and preferred over browner sugars. But modern white sugar is probably too refined, making raw cane sugar the best, easily available choice.

(More about sugar)

 [Indonesian gula jawa or other dark, funky sugar]
1 bottle Batavia arrack

Ingredient: Batavia arrack

Also Known As:  Arrack What it is:  Rum

A rum distilled mainly in South Asia and South East Asia from fermented fruit, grain, sugarcane, or the sap of coconut palms. The best came from Indonesia (Jakarta was called Batavia during the Dutch colonial times). Arrack typically has golden amber color, which distinguishes it from the colorless and transparent Middle Eastern arak.

(More about Batavia arrack)
5 ounce sugar

Ingredient: sugar

What it is:  Additive
Many 19th century recipes specifically called for white sugar, which is more refined and preferred over browner sugars. But modern white sugar is probably too refined, making raw cane sugar the best, easily available choice.

(More about sugar)

 [Indonesian gula jawa or other dark, funky sugar]
6 fl ounce lime

Ingredient: lime

What it is:  Fruit

A number of different fruits (generally citruses), both species and hybrids, which have their origin in the Himalayan region of India, and which are typically round, green to yellow in color, 3–6 cm in diameter, generally containing sour and acidic pulp.

(More about lime)

 juice
3 to 4 cup water

Ingredient: water

What it is:  Additive
Ubiquitous chemical substance that is composed of hydrogen and oxygen and is essential for all forms of life -- also a component of all drinks.

(More about water)
nutmeg

Ingredient: nutmeg

What it is:  Spice
Seed from an evergreen tree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas of Indonesia, or Spice Islands. Nutmeg is the actual seed of the tree while mace is the dried "lacy" reddish covering or arillus of the seed. Nutmeg and mace have similar taste qualities, nutmeg having a slightly sweeter and mace a more delicate flavour. Nutmeg is a tasty addition to cheese sauces and is best grated fresh (see nutmeg grater). Nutmeg is a traditional ingredient in mulled cider, mulled wine, and eggnog.

(More about nutmeg)

Muddle piece of ambergris with one ounce of Indonesian gula jawa in a small bowl. Add two ounces Batavia arrack and muddle until sugar is dissolved. Break up 4 ounces of gula jawa, put it in a two-quart jug with six ounces lime juice and muddle until sugar is dissolved. Add the ambergris, sugar and arrack mixture and stir. Add the rest of the 750 ml bottle of Batavia arrack, stir again, and finish with 3 to 4 cups water, to taste. Grate nutmeg over the top.