Chatham Artillery Punch

My brother and I ran across this recipe years and years ago. Discretion being the better part of valour, we never tried it, but also never forgot it.  Thought I would share it with everyone as a suggestion for their New Year's Eve party! :-)

CHATHAM ARTILLERY PUNCH

1 lb. Green Tea 5 lbs brown sugar

3 gallons Rhine wine 2 qts maraschino cherries

1 gal. St. Croix rum 3 doz. Oranges

1 gal. Brandy 3 doz. Lemons

1 gal. Rye whisky 2 or 3 large stone or glass crocks

1 gal. Gin

Put tea in 2 gallons cold water. Allow to stand overnight. Strain and add juice of the oranges and lemons.

Add: brown sugar, cherries and all of the liquor.

Cover lightly. Allow to stand (ferment) for two to six weeks.

Strain off cherries and put liquid in gallon or quart bottles.

Mix one gallon of this with 1 quart champagne.

Pour over large piece of ice in a punch bowl and serve.

(Makes 12 gallons and serves 200)