The Art of Punch, According to Barbet & Pals

History On The Rocks is Goya’s summer cocktail series in partnership with Smitha Menon. Here, we explore the often-unknown origin story behind our favourite classic cocktails. We will also be bringing you a modern take on the classic, from some of our favourite bars in the country. This week, the punch.

Fun fact: the driest state is India is (likely) the place where punch originated.

A 1632 record by an East India Company employee mentions the drink in Surat, Gujarat. Some believe the name Punch comes from paanch (meaning five in Hindi) representing the ingredients in the drink — sugar, nutmeg, spirit (usually rum), water, and lime. Historians suggest their either employees of the East India Company or British soldiers took the drink out West. Punch soon became the drink of choice for high-ranking British officers, with punch bowls becoming a most coveted barroom accessory. Some commissioned bowls that were reportedly as big as bathtubs.

You could say punch is the OG cocktail, long before cocktails as we know it came on the scene.

Barbet & Pals is a cocktail bar, opened by two bartenders in Delhi. Their version of the punch spins some playful tweaks on the original.

Jeet Rana, co-founder of Barbet & Pals, Delhi.

BARBET & PALS’ RECIPE FOR PUNCH

Makes five cocktails

Ingredients
300 ml aged rum
150 ml citrus blend (lime, lemon, and mosambi)
100 ml oleo saccharum
240 ml spiced Assam tea

Method
Blend all ingredients together in a large punch bowl with plenty of ice.
It is best served and enjoyed with friends.
 

History on the Rocks is a series in partnership with Smitha Menon. Join us as we explore the stories behind our favourite cocktails and how they traveled to us. Each history lesson is followed by a cocktail recipe from some of the country’s top bartenders.

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