5 Spice Bourbon Punch Food

BOURBON PUNCH

Steps:

• Combine one 24-ounce bottle nonalcoholic sparkling apple cider with two 12-ounce bottles hard pear cider in a pitcher. Stir in 1 cup bourbon and add ice. Pour into 8 glasses and garnish with sliced pears.

5 SPICE BOURBON PUNCH

Steps:

• Toast peppercorns, cloves, anise and fennel in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes (until fragrant), stirring and tossing regularly.
• Add sugar, water and cinnamon and increase heat to medium-high.
• Continue stirring until liquid just starts to boil.
• Cover and remove from heat; let stand for 2 hours.
• Strain into an airtight container (lasts up to 2 weeks refrigerated).
• In a pitcher, combine bourbon, syrup and lime juice, then stir.
• Add club soda and stir gently.
• Pour punch into rocks glasses full of ice and garnish with lime wedge.

FIVE-SPICE POWDER

Steps:

• Toast cassia, star anise, cloves, sand ginger (if using), Sichuan peppercorns, licorice root, black peppercorns, and white peppercorns (if using) in a small skillet over medium, tossing once, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Let cool; grind to a powder in spice mill or coffee grinder.
• Do Ahead: Five-Spice Powder can be made 1 month ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.