RECIPE

© John Kernick

Vodka-Rose Punch

• Recipe by Padma Lakshmi

Padma 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."

• Fast
• Make-Ahead

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons rose syrup (see Note)
2. 2 tablespoons sugar
3. 1 1/2 cups vodka
4. 1 tablespoon torn mint leaves, plus whole leaves for garnish
5. 6 cups chilled club soda
6. 3 cups ice, plus more for serving
7. Organic, unsprayed rose petals, for garnish

Directions

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.