Jacob’s Hip Punch

From Episode VI: Vayishlach with Shira Kline:

Like all our holiday’s this year, this will probably be a quiet Chanukah, but maybe this festive punch will bring a sense of holiday cheer. Much like our brothers’ reunion, this drink takes a little work and planning, but it’s totally worth it. 

Combine ¼ cup of looseleaf earl grey tea (or just 4-6 tea bags, no need to be fancy) and 1 1/4 cups boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Let steep 5 minutes, as the water transforms into something new, much like Jacob becoming Israel. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring glass (you should have about a cup). Let that cool.

Meanwhile, bring ½ cup honey, 4 sprigs of thyme, 2 rosemary sprigs, and 1/2 cup water to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to combine. Let it cool and discard the herbs. You’ll be left with an infused honey syrup, symbolizing the sweetness of the brothers’ reunion.

Combine the cooled brewed tea, infused honey syrup, 1 cup of lemon juice, and a teaspoon of bitters in a large pitcher or bowl. Next, we’ll add our two spirits — for both the two brothers and Jacob’s two camps — 1 ½ cups of bourbon and ½ cup of brandy. Add 2 cups ice and stir until the punch is very cold. Serve family style — get it, because the family’s back together — in a punch bowl, garnished with rosemary sprigs and lemon wheels.

I recommend making the tea and syrup in advance. Just keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it — it should last a few days.

A non-alcoholic version is very simple. Without the bourbon and brandy, this is basically just a fancy iced-tea-lemonade situation, though you might want to add a little extra honey for sweetness or even water it down a bit.

May we all be able to have our big family reunions soon.

L’chaim!

Jacob’s Hip Punch (Boozey)

Tea:
¼ cup Looseleaf Earl Grey Tea or 3-4 tea bags
1 ¼ cup Boiling Water

Infused Honey Syrup:
¼ cup Honey
2 Rosemary Sprigs
½ cup Water

Infused Honey Syrup (cooled)
1 cup brewed Earl Grey tea (cooled)
1 cup Lemon Juice
1 tsp Bitters
1 ½ cups Bourbon
½ cup Brandy
2 cups Ice
Rosemary Sprigs
Lemon Wheels

Jacob’s Hip Punch (Not Boozey)

Infused Honey Syrup (cooled)
2 cup brewed Earl Grey tea (cooled)
2 cup Lemon Juice
2 cups Ice
Extra Honey, to taste
Water, to taste
Rosemary Sprigs
Lemon Wheels

L’chayim!