Swedish Ale Punch (Difford's Guide Recipe)

 

This cocktail requires a hoppy ale like those pale ales of England. The grapefruit bitterness goes well with the grapefruit juice, but this is not a one-note cocktail. The Swedish punch and bourbon do a lot to sweeten the drink with oak and vanilla notes. My homemade Swedish punsch adds lemon and cardamon, as well as brown sugar syrup and smoky black tea. 

I want to point out that Einstok Brewery in Iceland also makes a pale ale that is very English in style with their glacier water source. It took me many tries to find an ale that would best represent this style of beer cocktail. And most American pale ales wouldn't work, but something familiar like Bass probably would. But Einstok pale ale was a good call, and it reinforces the Scandinavian theme of this cocktail. 

• 2 oz. Bourbon (Ancient Age used)
• 1 oz. Swedish punsch (homemade used)
• 1 oz. grapefruit juice
• English-style pale ale (Einstok pale ale used)
• wedge of grapefruit

Combine bourbon, Swedish punsch and juice in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a pint glass full of fresh ice. Top with ale and stir. Garnish with the grapefruit wedge.