Properly Sauced, Oscar Edition: Sofia's Punch

By Rob Christopher in Food on Feb 17, 2009 7:00PM

A party is always a great excuse to get out the punchbowl, and an Oscar party calls for sparking wine. By the end of the evening at least few people will feel like celebrating; and well before the end of the evening the rest of us will feel like drinking. For many years the Weinstein brothers held their Oscar party at the Beverly Hills Trader Vic's. That particular location is not quite the same, alas, but we have a tiki punch recipe straight from the Trader's cookbook that we've made before and loved. We've modified it, boosting its star power. Francis Coppola named his sparkling wine, Sofia Blanc de Blancs, after his daughter. It's light, crisp and refreshing. In other words: perfect for punch. In Chicago it's available at Sam's, Binny's, Cost Plus, and elsewhere. None of the Coppola clan are nominated this year, but surely they'd approve.

Sofia's Punch

4 bottles Sofia Blanc de Blancs
2 cups orange liqueur (Cointreau or curacao)
2 cups gin
4 large limes

The day before, combine the orange liqueur and gin in a small pitcher. Stick the pitcher and the sparkling wine in the fridge to chill overnight. Just before serving, slice the limes in half and squeeze the juice into the punchbowl. Add the other ingredients. Stir gently and then float the lime shells. Serve in glasses over ice.

If you're on a budget, you can substitute the Sofia with any dry sparkling wine. Just don't use triple sec: it's too sweet! Any dry gin will do. We like Gordon's.

image via She Just Walks Around With It