Sobieski summer punch; a warm-weather drink for the rest of us

      Sobieski Polish Vodka

The traditional summer cocktail is sweet, dense, aggressively-flavored, probably blended, and comes in a gourd felled from a tree.  So, if this is not your beverage of choice, with what do you combat thirst and heat?  Water?  Preposterous.  Sobieski, Poland's #1 premium vodka, has a better idea: the Sobieski Livin's Easy Summer Punch.

August 15th has been designated National Relaxation Day, by some influential people who positively have their priorities straight.  In an extension of this spirit, Sobieski Vodka and tippler, Tad Carducci, have created a summer sedative, and true departure from the customary pungent, pineapple-grenadine flavor bomb.  

Livin's Easy Summer Punch:

1 bottle (750ml) Sobieski Vodka
12.75oz Marie Brizard Crème de Cassis
16oz cold water
17oz orange juice
8.5 oz fresh lime juice
25.4 oz (3/4 of a 1-liter bottle) ginger ale
citrus garnish

Tad knows his business, but don't let the precision of this recipe dismay you.  If you are of a mind to measures out 1/2 ounces of lime juice, and tenths-of-ounces of ginger ale, then carpe tedium.  Everyone else, estimation is allowed, even encouraged.

Funnel everything but ginger ale and garnish, into a large sealable plastic container.  Tad recommends an empty, clean, gallon milk jug.  Shake to incorporate all ingredients.  Allow to chill in fridge for 30 minutes, or make it up to one day in advance.  Pour mixture into large decorative punch bowl, over Garden Ice (recipe below).  Top with chilled ginger ale and stir gently.  Garnish with sliced lemons, limes and oranges and thinly-sliced ripe strawberries.  Add a blueberry or two for anti-oxidation purposes.

Garden Ice:

Fill a one-quart, clean plastic container halfway with water (think take-out wonton soup here).  Drop in a handful of fresh mint leaves.  Cover and freeze overnight.  When ready to use, run the outside of container under warm water.  Place ice block flat side down in punch bowl.

Enjoy this drink with others who don't favor sweet drinks, and watch as everyone else battles heartburn.