Charles Dickens’s Punch

Instructions

1. 01

   To an enameled cast-iron pot or heatproof bowl, add sugar and lemon peels. Muddle peels and sugar together to release citrus oils.

2. 02

   Add rum and Cognac to the sugar. Light a match, and, using a heatproof spoon, pick up a spoonful of the spirit mix. Carefully bring the match to the spoon to light, then bring the lit spoon back to the bowl. Let the spirits burn for about 3 minutes. The fire will melt the sugar and extract the oil from the lemon peels.

3. 03

   Extinguish the fire by covering it with a heatproof pan. Skim off lemon peels. Squeeze in the lemon juice, and add hot tea.

4. 04

   Ladle into glasses over ice. Garnish with citrus slices and grated nutmeg.