Afton Club Punch

By ltrodrigu

David Wondrich, the mixologist and author, said this punch, which begins with a sugar and lemon peel "shrub,'' is "lowish on the alcohol, and slightly unusual. People like it when I make it.''

Ingredients

• 4 lemons
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 16 ounces genever
• 16 ounces chilled German (or other) riesling, not too sweet
• 16 ounces chilled sparkling water
• Nutmeg for garnishing

Details

Servings 20
Adapted from nytimes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Make the shrub:
Peel lemons with a vegetable peeler, avoiding pith. Juice lemons and set juice aside. Place peels and sugar in a Mason jar, seal and shake. Leave jar in the sun for 3 to 4 hours or overnight. Add reserved lemon juice and shake until sugar is dissolved. Will keep for several days refrigerated.

In a gallon bowl or pitcher, combine shrub (peels and all) with all the liquids; stir gently. Add a 1-quart block of ice (made by freezing a quart container of water overnight). Grate nutmeg on top and ladle into small serving glasses.