Oolong, Orange, and Whiskey Punch

Prep time: 15 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

Balanced with orange and a light touch of spice, this punch is whiskey-forward without being overpowering.

Ingredients

3 cups water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 (2 inch) cinnamon stick
2 whole star anise
6 oolong tea bags
2 2/3 cups fresh orange juice
1 1/2 cups whiskey
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
large ice cubes
tangerine, sectioned and seeded

Directions

1 Bring water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Stir in sugar, cinnamon stick, and star anise. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let steep for 3 minutes (or according to package directions for strongest tea). Remove tea bags. Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and star anise.
2 Stir together tea mixture, orange juice, whiskey, and lemon juice in a punch bowl or pitcher. Chill until cold, about 2 hours or up to overnight.
3 Garnish with tangerine slices and additional star anise. Ladle into ice-filled glasses. Top each with a tangerine slice.