A number of years ago a now elderly friend used to host Sunday Luncheon once a month. These affairs usually consisted of around twenty people from all walks of life, and having spent his career on postings in the subcontinent for Immigration (now the Department of Home Affairs) the meal was usually an array of home cooked curries. On arrival to one of these Luncheons you would be handed a glass of lethal punch - I usually had two as a minimum. One variety of punch was tea based and being ever so bold I suggested using Melbourne Breakfast by T2 to add a depth of flavour. The host took my recommendation on board, and after its successful debut dubbed it ‘Matthew’s Punch’. It has been the only punch recipe I’ve been able to obtain.
While preparing said punch for NYE celebrations last night, I noted that the required honey was dissolving in the chilled liquor, which made me ponder whether alcohol (spirits) dissolves honey. A quick investigation on my preferred search engine at the time seemed to prove my theory correct. However, on a more thorough investigation today, I found that the honey merely disperses and eventually crystallises; looking through cocktail recipes involving honey, heating it or making a simple syrup appears to be best practice.
The punch was just as lethal as I remember, and a double batch was enjoyed by all with a promise of a hangover to bring in the new year. Happy 2026.
