Punch

Punch, a beverage introduced into England from India, and so called from being usually made of five (Hindi, panch) ingredients—arrack, tea, sugar, water, and lemon-juice. As now prepared, punch is a drink the basis of which is alcohol of one or more kinds (especially rum), diluted with water, flavoured with lemon or lime-juice and spices, and sweetened with sugar; sometimes other ingredients are added according to taste, especially wine, ale, and tea. 'Rack-punch' takes its name from Arrack (q.v.). Milk-punch is prepared beforehand (of rum and brandy with milk), bottled, and served cold—even iced. Whisky-toddy, made with whisky, hot water, and sugar, is a kind of punch, the name toddy being Hindustani.