Meet the 2017 Punch Kings Bartenders

Punch was the grandaddy of all cocktails, meant for sharing amongst friends and enhancing social engagements. Now in its 5th year, Punch Kings is dedicated to bringing back the “Art of Cocktail Hospitality,” barkeeps go whole-bottle, using Breckenridge Distillery’s award-winning Breck Bourbon, in this competition within a competition featuring spirit-slingers nationwide. In a 14 stop tour, bartenders from across the country compete for the title of Punch King [or Queen]. In the final tour stop, Grand Cochon, the 14 winners from 14 cities all gather to compete once more in grand finale called “Last Call” in Chicago Sept. 30, 2017. Think artful drink and boozy victories earned one sip at a time.

Meet your 14 barkeeps competing for the ultimate Punch King [or Queen] + their winning cocktail from the Cochon555 Tour:

New York City | January 29

ANTHONY BOHLINGER of MAISON PREMIERE
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS
3 Dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
1/2oz Lemon
1/2oz Orange Peel Infused Orgeat
3/4oz Breckenridge Bourbon
3/4oz Bitter Blend (1/2 Aperol, 1/4 St George Bruto Americano)
1oz Tea Infused Sherry Blend (1/2 Manzinilla Sherry, 1/4 Amontillado)
Add ingredients, shake slightly, strain.

GARNISH Marcona Almond Zest, Dried Orange Peels, Lemon Wheels.

Minneapolis | February 19

NATE MCLEMORE-RACZKOWSKI of RIVIVAL
SMOKE AND THE PINEAPPLE
Breckenridge Bourbon
Lemon Juice
Sweet Tea Syrup (Hickory Smoked)
Perfect Purée Caramelized Pineapple Concentrate
Tempus Fugit Crème De Cacao
Angostura Bitters

Nashville | February 26

TRACY ARDOIN-JENKINS of NICKY’S COAL FIRED
HEAT OF THE MOMENT #2
Breckenridge Bourbon
Cinzano Rosso
Pear Cordial
Fresh Lemon Juice
cayenne Demerara
Angostura Bitters
Angostura Orange Bitters
Sparkling Water to Taste

GARNISH Frozen Chili Compressed Pear Slices

Los Angeles | March 12

CHRIS AMIRAULT of OTIUM
MASALA CHAI MILK PUNCH
Breckenridge Bourbon
Avua Amburana Cachaca
El Dorado 12yr Rum
St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram
Vanilla Syrup
Masala Chai Tea
6 Pinches Malic Acid
Whole Milk
Lemon Juice

Denver | March 19

TIM HERSHBERGER of MIZUNA
LINDA HAMILTON WEST
2parts Breckenridge Bourbon
1/2parts Pineapple Rum
1part Earl Grey & Coconut Water “Sun Tea”
1/4part Grilled Pineapple Caramel
1/4part Lemon & Lime
1/4part Pineapple
1/4part Oleo Saccharum
2dashes Angostura Bitters

GARNISH Chicharron and pineapple

Miami | March 26

BEN JEWELL of EL GRITO
HAZA YO FAZA, A PUNCH
Breckenridge Bourbon
Tepache*
Mezcal Espadin
Chocolate Banana Syrup
Angostura Aromatic & Orange Bitters
Serve Over a big ice cube, with a dust of nutmeg

GARNISH Canela and pineapple leaf

Boston | April 9

SEAN WOODS of DEADHORSE HILL
BIG BABY PUNCH
Breckenridge Bourbon
Bitter Syrup (Gentian, Wormwood, Hops, Fennel and Anise
Brown Butter Apples
Angostura Bitters’
Lemon Juice
Sparkling Wine

Chicago | April 23

PIERS SMYTH of ROOF ON THE WIT
CHATHAM ARTILLERY PUNCH
Breckenridge Bourbon
Strawberry and Raspberry infused
Dolin Blanc Vermouth
Sicilian Blood Orange and Black Tea infused
Elderflower Liqueur
Graham’s 6 Grapes Port Wine
Lemongrass and Ginger Rich Simple
Angostura and Creole Bitters
Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne
Toasted Cinnamon Smoke

Seattle | April 30

TANIA ROSS of BRAMBLING CROSS
COUPLE OF PIGS WATCHING
Breckenridge Bourbon
Passion Fruit infused Becherovka
Freijoa and Falernum Syrup, fortified with
Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum
Lemon Juice
Lime Juice
Orange Oleo Saccharum
Passion Fruit / Roobios Tea
Angostura Orange Bitters
Angostura Orange Bitters
Large Star Fruit Juice Ice Cubes

GARNISH Long lemon peel picked with an umbrella for garnish

Houston | May 21

JIM MCCONN of AMERICAS
TEXAS THAI TEA
Breckenridge Bourbon
Fresh Brewed Green Tea
Palm Sugar
Fresh Pineapple
The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley – Ginger Sour
The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley – White Peach Purée
The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley – Thai Basil &
Black Pepper, Thai Basil, Mint, Cilantro, Thai Chilies
Angostura Orange Bitters
Mighty Swell Sparkling Cocktails – Peach

San Francisco | June 4

JEFF LYON of THIRD RAIL
RAIL PUNCH
Breckenridge Bourbon
Blandy’s Madeira
Bing Cherries
Lemon
Vanilla
Absinthe
Seltzer
Angostura Bitters

GARNISH Fresh Bing Cherry, Fresh Dill

Atlanta | June 25

JAMES WAMPLER of PROOF & PROVISION
HIGH TEA
9.5oz Fresh Lemon Juice
12.5oz Chai-Lemon Oleo Saccharum
1 Bottle Breckenridge Bourbon
26 Dashes Angostura Bitters
1c Fiji Water

Washington DC | August 6

RACHEL SERGI of THE NEXT WHISKY BAR
A KING’S RANSOM
Breckenridge Bourbon
The Perfect Purée El Corazon blend
Pineapple-White Pepper Cordial
Burlesque Black Tea
Angostura Bitters
Lemon-Black Pepper
Edible Gold Leaf

Austin | August 20

SARAH RAHL of FOUR SEASON
COME AND TAKE IT
PUNCH BASE
25oz Breckenridge Bourbon
18oz Grilled Peach Syrup (Fredericksburg, TX)
8oz Earl Grey Tea
4oz Lemon Juice
4oz Campari
3oz Citrus (orange & lemon) Oleo Saccharum
PUNCH FOAM
16oz Earl Grey Tea
2oz Lemon Juice
18 dashes Angostura Bitters
1.5oz Bloemsma’s Bees Raw Honey (Austin, TX)
8 Organic Cage Free Egg Whites

GARNISH Peach, Edible Flower, Nutmeg