National Punch Day: How to Make a Punch with Absolut Mandrin

Happy National Punch Day! Punch has long been a communal drink, built for crowds, parties and conversation — poured into a bowl, set in the middle of the table, and shared amongst friends.

The traditional formula for punch is simple: spirit, sugar, citrus, water or tea, and a little spice. Plenty of room to make it your own, which is exactly what we did, using Absolut Mandrin — our versatile mandarin-flavored vodka — for something brighter and more citrus-forward.

What Is National Punch Day?

National Punch Day is celebrated every year on September 20 in the U.S. — a day dedicated to the communal, shareable spirit of punch, a drink with roots that stretch back centuries.

For a bright, citrusy take on the tradition, Absolut Mandrin brings a fresh twist to the table.

Is Absolut Mandrin a Good Base for Punch?

Yes, Absolut Mandrin makes for a great base for punch. It brings a juicy, aromatic citrus profile that feels right at home in punch-style drinks.

Punch is built on balance: fruit, citrus, sweetness and a little spice all need to work together. Absolut Mandrin fits that structure well, adding brightness and depth without getting lost among the other ingredients.

Its mandarin character plays especially well with the kinds of flavors punch often calls for – pineapple, lemon, lime, ginger and other fruit-led mixers.

That makes Absolut Mandrin a strong base for punch recipes that need something citrusy, rounded and full of character. Introducing the Absolut Mandrin Punch…

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What’s in the Absolut Mandrin Punch?

The Absolut Mandrin Punch is an easy cocktail built straight in the glass. It brings together mandarin, pineapple and ginger ale for a drink that’s bright, juicy and lightly spiced.

As Rico Dynan, bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, puts it:
“The flavor of the mandarin is full-bodied, the pineapple gives it a tropical sweetness, then you’ve got the ginger ale that balances everything out.”

How Do You  Make an Absolut Mandrin Punch?

The Absolut Mandrin Punch is a built drink, which means there’s no need for a shaker. Just grab a highball glass, a jigger, a bar spoon and a knife. A juicer or blender is also useful if you’re making fresh pineapple juice.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Absolut Mandrin
• 1 part Pineapple Juice
• 1 part Ginger Ale
• 1 Lemon Wedge
• 1 Lime Wedge
• Ice Cubes

How to mix:

1. If you’re making fresh pineapple juice, prepare it using a juicer or blender.
2. Use a jigger to measure and pour 1 part pineapple juice into a highball glass.
3. Add 1 part Absolut Mandrin.
4. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
5. Top up with ginger ale.
6. Stir gently with a bar spoon.
7. Garnish with both a lemon wedge and a lime wedge.

For a larger batch, scale the ingredients up in equal parts and build the punch in a pitcher or bowl. Add the ginger ale at the end to keep the fizz fresh.

Watch Rico show you how to make an Absolut Mandrin Punch:

Tips For Making a Perfect Punch

A good punch comes down to balance, freshness and the right amount of fizz.

• Use plenty of ice so the punch stays chilled.
• Use fresh juice where possible. For pineapple juice, a juicer is ideal, but a blender will also work. If you’re using a blender, strain the juice through a sieve to remove the pulp.
• Add the ginger ale last to keep the drink crisp and bubbly.
• Scale carefully when you’re making a batch for a crowd — keep the ratios in check so the punch stays balanced.

What Is The Perfect Drink for National Punch Day?

There’s no single perfect punch for National Punch Day — after all, we’re all individuals with our own tastes, and that’s exactly what makes cocktails, like people, so interesting.

But if you’re looking for a vodka punch recipe that fits the day, we recommend the Absolut Mandrin Punch.

It brings the citrus, the color and the kind of flavor that suits a party bowl just as well as a single serve — bright, communal and easy to make again and again.

Happy National Punch Day!

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