Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
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Cheers punch line N athan Harnish of Pacifica Restaurant & Oyster Bar has a new title. "Since I often end up drinking my way through a his- tory book I think of myself as a cocktail dork, but now Iron Bartender works, too." Harnish won the title in Aspen's first-ever Iron Bartender contest, held at The Little Nell. His winning entry was Spice Trader Punch. "I was excited to make a cocktail rich in history; turning a classy Little Nell crowd into a bunch of drunken sailors with an 18th-century punch was also intriguing." The cocktail pays homage to the traders of the 17th and 18th centuries. And as a self-professed Iron Bartender Nathan Harnish is NOLA-bound. THE NEWLY CROWNED KING OF COCKTAILS SHARES HIS PRIZE-WINNING RECIPE. cocktail dork, Harnish knows whereof he speaks. "The word punch is derived from the Indian word 'panch,' the five fingers of the hand made into a fist. It also refers to the five ingredients that allegedly made up the beverage discovered by British soldiers in India in the 16th century." According to Harnish, in addition to picking up spices, crafting spirits for the long journey back to Europe was essential. Arrack, a distillate of palm wine, rice, and sugar cane, was available; when combined with citrus, sugar, water, and spice, the result was punch. This sailor's concoction gained popularity among the upper class and royalty, and eventually more expensive blends were made with cognac and gin. Harnish says, "A clas- sic punch always has five basic ingredients: spirits, spice, juice, sugar, and water. And it serves one purpose—to lift the spirits of a large group." Winning the Iron Bartender contest sends the newest member of the elite group to Tales of the Cocktail ( July 25–29) in New Orleans. Considered the equivalent in cocktails and spir- its to Aspen's famous Food & Wine Classic, this gathering is a mecca for cocktail dorks world- wide. "It's a great moment, and getting there with a punch seems just right." AP spice trader punch 2 oz. Batavia-Arrack van Oosten ¾ oz. Grand Marnier ½ oz. Hennessy VS cognac ¾ oz. lemon shrub (lemon peel, demerara sugar, lemon juice) ¾ oz. ruby-red grapefruit juice English Black Tea ice cube ½ oz. water Grated nutmeg from left: Bentley crystal double old-fashioned glass, Ralph Lauren Home ($120). ralphlauren .com. "O" cabernet glass, Riedel (set of three, $36). bloomingdales.com. Intangible horizon tumbler, Baccarat ($55). baccarat.com. All glasses mounted on Tuscan column candlesticks, Restoration Hardware ($59–$79). restorationhardware.com Combine all ingredients, chill, and serve with ice in a punch bowl. Cheers! 82 aspenpeak-magazine.com photography by william brinson. styling by mariana velasquez