Punch Era
1600–1800
The pre-cocktail age dominated by communal punch bowls. British sailors and colonists mixed spirits with citrus, sugar, water, and spice in large vessels for shared drinking.
Key Events
- 1632: First recorded punch recipe in British colonial records
- 1694: London's punch houses rival coffee houses in popularity
- 1700s: Punch becomes the dominant social drink in colonial America
- 1790s: Individual cocktails begin replacing communal bowls
Key Figures
East India Company traders, British Royal Navy sailors, colonial tavern keepers
Cultural Context
Punch was a communal drink reflecting the social nature of pre-industrial drinking culture. Large bowls served at gatherings reinforced social bonds. The five ingredients (spirit, citrus, sugar, water, spice) represented a balanced approach to flavor.
