the lakefront punch

I have discovered my absolute new favorite way of serving cocktails for a party. It's so simple. I've seen the Barefoot Contessa do it umpteen times, but it didn't click. Until now.

So you have your beer and your wine. And a carafe of water.

And then...drumroll please...you add a pitcher of a signature cocktail.

Genius. Pure genius.

Dream up a cocktail that most people will like (or just use our successful little recipe below) and then set out a pitcher and some pretty glasses. It's a serve-your-own type of situation.

It looks great on your table and all the work is done before your guests even arrive.

My sort of party.

The Lakefront Punch
makes 24 drinks

1 750 ml bottle of Rye Whiskey
4 oz Maraschino
15 oz lemon juice
Peel of 8 lemons
25-30 mint leaves
20 dashes Angostura bitters
10 dashes Peychaud bitters
2 cups of frozen mixed berries
1 375 ml bottle of sparkling wine

Puree the frozen mixed berries with the lemon juice. Place blended mixture through a sieve to remove all large pieces.

Muddle lemon peels with the Maraschino, mint leaves, and bitters. Mix in Whiskey and blended fruit mixture. Top with sparkling wine.