Tested and Perfected by Food and Wine
Vodka-Rose Punch
© John Kernick

Vodka-Rose Punch

Contributed by
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 10 MIN
  • SERVINGS: makes 8 drinks
  • •MAKE-AHEAD

Padma Lakshmi says, "When I was a child, the only way I would drink milk—the unhomogenized kind you get in India—was if my granny swirled a couple teaspoons of rose syrup into it. Today, I love the floral accent and the frilly pink tinge it gives mixed drinks."

  1. Organic, unsprayed rose petals, for garnish
  2. 6 cups chilled club soda
  3. 2 tablespoons rose syrup (see Note)
  4. 3 cups ice, plus more for serving
  5. 1 tablespoon torn mint leaves, plus whole leaves for garnish
  6. 1 1/2 cups vodka
  7. 2 tablespoons sugar
  1. Put the rose syrup and sugar in a small glass bowl and microwave until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the syrup into a large pitcher. Add the vodka and the torn mint and stir. Stir in the soda and the ice. Strain into tall ice-filled glasses and garnish with whole mint leaves and rose petals.
Notes Rose syrup can be found in Indian markets and at specialty food stores.