Party with a Punch

February 6, 2009 10:43 am

Last Monday I had the pleasure of attending a party thrown by Tales of the Cocktail and Saveur magazine. The event was held at Tailor in Soho, known for its sweet and savory menu items (think maple poached snails) and inventive cocktails such as the Bazooka, which involves bubble gum flavored cordial, vodka and house made sour mix.

The Punch Party celebrated the partnership of Saveur Magazine and Tales of the Cocktail. Tales of the Cocktail is an annual gathering in New Orleans of cocktail professionals and aficionados. Also being celebrated was the appointment of David Wondrich as the new wine and spirits editor of Saveur. Wondrich is a familiar face in the cocktail world having recently recently won a James Beard award for his book Imbibe!

Bartender Eben Freeman's signature molecular mixology influenced cocktails were not on the menu this evening. Instead two punches where being served whose recipes date well before the turn of the century. The first, Regent's Punch named after George VI was a refreshing blend of VSOP Cognac, rum, green tea, Seville orange, pineapple syrup, arrack a liquor typically distilled from the sap of the coconut palm and Champagne. The second punch was inspired by a poem about the British Army Captain Alexander Radcliffe. VSOP Cognac is mixed with Sauternes and finished with nutmeg and fresh lemon for this (too) easy drinking tipple. Chef Sam Mason's kitchen turned out comfort/junk food inspired hors d'oeuvres including curried popcorn, fried hummus, Buffalo chicken wings, cheesecake bites topped with pineapple foam and churros.

A glamorous gala attended by cocktail industry professionals and journalists throughout this country and Europe, this, to say the least, was one punchy party.

Caroline Russock