Five-Spice Bourbon Punch Recipe

By
Elana Lepkowski
Elana Lepkowski is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Elana Lepkowski
Elana Lepkowski is an LA-based mixologist who shares her cocktail recipes at Serious Eats and on her award-winning blog, Stir and Strain. 
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated May. 15, 2019
20150505-5SpiceBourbonPunch-cocktails-elana-lepkowski.jpg
A bourbon cocktail that's great for warmer days. Elana Lepkowski

Why It Works

  • Using whole spices to make the five-spice syrup makes for a richer flavor than using a powder—and it's also easier to strain!
  • The club soda loosens up the syrup and balances the richness of the whiskey in this drink.

Five-spice syrup amps up the flavor in this refreshing bourbon pitcher cocktail.

Recipe Facts

4

(1)

Active: 10 mins
Total: 2 hrs
Serves: 4 servings

Rate & Comment

Ingredients

For the Five-Spice Syrup:

  • 1 teaspoon whole Sichuan peppercorns

  • 1 whole star anise pod

  • 1 (6-inch) cinnamon stick or 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks

  • 5 whole cloves

  • 1 teaspoon whole fennel seed

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

For the Cocktails:

  • 6 ounces bourbon, such as 4 Roses Yellow Label

  • 3 ounces Five-Spice Syrup

  • 2 ounces fresh juice from 2 to 3 limes

  • 8 ounces club soda

  • Lime wedges for garnish

Directions

  1. For the Five-Spice Syrup: Toast Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cloves, and fennel in a dry medium skillet over medium heat, tossing and stirring frequently until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add cinnamon stick, sugar, and water and place over medium high heat. Cook, stirring, until just starting to boil. Cover and remove from heat. Let rest for 2 hours. Strain into an airtight container. Five-spice syrup last up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

  2. For the Cocktails: In a pitcher, combine bourbon, 3 ounces Five-spice syrup, and lime juice. Stir well. Add club soda and stir gently. To serve, fill rocks glasses with ice, pour in 4 3/4 ounces of the cocktail and top with lime wedges.

Special equipment

Strainer, airtight container, medium saucepan, pitcher

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
172 Calories
0g Fat
22g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 172
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 24mg 119%
Calcium 43mg 3%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 101mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

More Serious Eats Recipes