In 1732, 28 wealthy Quakers from Philadelphia leased land from the Lenni-Lenape tribe, on the banks of the Schuylkill River, just out of town. There they built a clubhouse, or ‘castle’ as they called it, then declared independence and seceded, announcing that they were now the Colony of Schuylkill with its own governor, council and sheriff.
This was no revolutionary insurrection though. The purpose of the club was fishing, barbecuing and, most importantly, drinking. To this end, like any self-respecting society at the time, they had their own punch, the Fish House, named after their HQ. The original recipe has survived to this day and there is little reason to change it.
Every other week, in the summer, they would convene at the Fish House to collectively prepare a gargantuan feast, lubricated by their signature drink. Remarkably the State of Schuylkill, as it now is, still exists today. The fishing has died out but quaffing punch and feasting continues. It claims to be the Oldest Dining Club in the World.
- 500 g demerara sugar
- 750 ml overproof traditional Jamaica rum e.g. Smith & Cross
- 350 ml cognac
- 350 ml peach brandy
- 12 lemons, zest and juice separated
The punch should be served surrounding a huge single block of ice. Make it by freezing a bucket of water or buy it in. You’ll need a vast punch bowl of at least 8 litres including the ice.