Skip to main content
Epicurious
Gourmet

Champagne Punch With Brandy and Citrus

By Scott Peacock

5.0

(7)

Image may contain Food Dish Meal Egg Bowl and Stew
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews

Eye-opening notes of lemon, lime, and grapefruit keep this festive punch from heading into ultra-sweet territory—and fresh mint seconds the motion. "Once the Champagne has been added," says Scott Peacock, "serve the drinks as soon as possible to experience the maximum tickle of bubbles."

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1½ hr (includes chilling)

  • Yield

    8 servings

Ingredients

½ cup sugar
½ cup water
1 cup white grape juice
1½ cups fresh grapefruit juice (preferably pink or ruby red)
¼ cup fresh lime juice
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup dry white wine
¼ cup Cognac or other brandy
½ cup packed mint leaves
1 navel orange, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 lime, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 lemon, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 (750-ml) bottle Champagne or other sparkling white wine, chilled

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then transfer to a bowl and cool syrup completely (or quick-chill by setting bowl in an ice bath and stirring occasionally until cool).

    DO AHEAD: Syrup can be chilled up to 1 week.

    Step 2

    Stir together juices, wine, Cognac, mint, fruit, and cooled syrup in a large pitcher. Chill, covered, until cold, about 1 hour. Stir in Champagne.

    DO AHEAD: Punch, without Champagne, can be made 3 hours ahead and chilled, covered. Add Champagne just before serving.

TagsPunchBeveragesChampagneSparkling WineWineAlcoholCognacBrandyCitrusFruitEasyNew YearsGourmet

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Sea Breeze
Gourmet’s version of this perfect summer drink mixes the ideal ratio of vodka with cranberry and grapefruit juices, right in the glass.
Hugo Spritz
With elderflower liqueur, mint, and prosecco, the effervescent Hugo spritz cocktail is a hit year round, but particularly on warm nights.
Bicycle Bandit
A riff on the Bicycle Thief cocktail, a citrusy, low ABV riff on a Negroni, this three-ingredient, party-ready twist features grapefruit soda.
Kimchi Bloody Mary
The kimchi brine is the secret hero here; just a splash of it brightens the cocktail while deepening it with a little funky je ne sais quoi.
Jammy Grape Galette
We don’t bake with grapes as often as we should. But even the most average supermarket varieties come alive when roasted with a bit of sugar and seasoning.
Grape Dumplings
Native American people made these with cornmeal dumplings, simmering them with wild grapes, which were harvested at their peak sweetness.
Sour Cherry and Campari Galette
This Campari-spiked galette features the herbal aperitif, tart cherries, and floral citrus zest and is perfect for those who prefer bitter to sweet.
Fufu
Fufu is a dish that has been passed down through many generations and is seen as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and heritage. Making fufu traditionally is a very laborious task; this recipe mimics some of that hard work but with a few home-cook hacks that make for a far easier time.