Cardinal Punch

Name: Cardinal Punch Recipe (Claret & Brandy)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 dz Juice of a Lemon; 1 qt Carbonated Water; 2 qt Claret; 1 pt Old Mr. Boston California Brandy; 1 pt Old Mr. Boston Imported Rum; 1 pt Champagne; 1/2 pt Italian Vermouth

Cardinal Punch is a sophisticated punch bowl cocktail blending claret, champagne, brandy, and rum with fresh lemon juice and carbonated water. It's a crowd-pleasing vintage drink ideal for formal gatherings and celebrations.

🏷️Equipment: punch cup

Total

5 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$16–$26

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Mr. Boston Drinks · by Old Mr. Boston De Luxe Official Bartender's Guide

Ingredients

1 dz Juice of a Lemon
1 qt Carbonated Water
2 qt Claret

1 pt Old Mr. Boston California Brandy

1 pt Old Mr. Boston Imported Rum

1 pt Champagne

1/2 pt Italian Vermouth

7 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Add enough Powdered Sugar to sweeten.
2
Place large block of Ice in Punch Bowl and stir well.
3
Boston California Brandy
4
Boston Imported Rum
5
Italian Vermouth
6
Some prefer to add the strained contents of a pot of tea.
7
Stir well and decorate with fruits in season.
8
Serve in 4 oz.
9
punch glasses.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Add carbonated water and champagne as the last step immediately before serving to maintain fizz and prevent the punch from going flat.
Use a single large ice block or frozen fruit-filled ring instead of loose ice cubes to slow dilution as the punch sits.
Chill all spirits and wines beforehand so the punch stays cold without requiring excessive ice that waters it down.
Balance sweetness by tasting as you build the base; the vermouth adds herbals notes that can dominate if not moderated.

Substitutions

Claret → Dry Bordeaux or other full-bodied dry red wine (flavor profile remains similar)
Champagne → Sparkling wine or Prosecco (less expensive, slightly less complex)
Old Mr. Boston Brandy → Cognac or other quality brandy (higher quality but more expensive)

Storage & make-ahead

Cardinal Punch is best served fresh; prepare the base mixture up to 8 hours ahead and refrigerate, then add champagne and carbonated water just before serving.

Equipment

punch bowl · punch ladle · ice block mold (optional, recommended)

Common Questions

Can I make Cardinal Punch ahead of time?

Prepare the base mixture of claret, brandy, rum, vermouth, and lemon juice several hours ahead; add champagne and carbonated water just before serving to preserve carbonation.

What is the best ratio for scaling this punch?

This recipe serves 20–24 people in standard punch-cup portions; double all ingredients proportionally for larger crowds.

Can I substitute the wines and spirits?

Use a dry red wine for claret, sparkling wine for champagne, and quality brandy and rum are difficult to replace without changing the flavor profile significantly.