Mr. Micawber’s Favorite Gin Punch

Recipe from Cedric Dickens

Adapted by Rosie Schaap

Mr. Micawber’s Favorite Gin Punch
Gentl and Hyers for The New York Times. Food stylist: Maggie Ruggiero. Prop stylist: Amy Wilson.
Rating
4(38)
Notes
Read community notes

According to his great-grandson, Cedric, Charles Dickens ‘‘loved the ritual of mixing the evening glass of Gin Punch, which he performed with all the energy and discrimination of Mr. Micawber.’’ You may recall that, in ‘‘David Copperfield,’’ Wilkins Micawber is uplifted by a humble gin punch: ‘‘I never saw a man so thoroughly enjoy himself amid the fragrance of lemon-peel and sugar, the odour of burning spirit, and the steam of boiling water, as Mr. Micawber did that afternoon.” Although this is called a punch, note that it’s a serving for one — but don't let that stop you from making it for company. Its combination of spirit, warmth and spice will bring to mind a hot toddy, and it's fragrant and flavorful enough to supplant the more familiar whiskey-based version — at least for a season. —Rosie Schaap

Featured in: A Victorian Toast

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Ingredients

  • ½lemon
  • 1teaspoon dark brown sugar
  • 1teaspoon honey
  • Pinch ground cinnamon
  • 1clove
  • Water just off the boil
  • 1½oz. Madeira
  • 1½oz. London dry gin
  • 1stick cinnamon (optional)
  • Grated nutmeg
Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Juice ½ lemon through a strainer directly into a warmed, heatproof glass (like those used for Irish coffee). Add the sugar and honey, and stir. Add the cinnamon and clove. Fill the glass three-quarters full with water just off the boil. Stir. Add the Madeira and gin and stir gently with a spoon or with a cinnamon stick, if you prefer. Grate a little nutmeg on top.

Ratings

4 out of 5
38 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

Nancy White

Absolutely delicious prepared exactly as written! Thank you for a great pre-Christmas treat.

jasmine

What would be a good substitute for Madeira?

maggie

pairs nicely with a copy of A Christmas Carol :) made as written the first time and it grew on me...and I had some ideas for the next time round. did a little order of operations change-up on the second time by starting with the honey and brown sugar in the glass. pour over enough hot water to cover it. combine to create a quick, in-glass simple syrup. then proceed with lemon juice, spices, more hot water, etc.

jasmine

What would be a good substitute for Madeira?

Elsa

I would cut back the sugar and honey by half. Effectively substituted with Port.

Nancy White

Absolutely delicious prepared exactly as written! Thank you for a great pre-Christmas treat.

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Credits

Adapted from “Drinking With Dickens,” by Cedric Dickens

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