Delhi's Winter Secret: How Punch Kept British Colonials Warm

• British colonials found Delhi winters surprisingly harsh, colder than Britain, with limited heating options.
• Punch, a mixed drink of alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and spices, became essential for warmth and social gatherings.
• Historical figures like Emily Eden and Fanny Parks documented punch's indispensable role in colonial Delhi's winter evenings.
• Different types of punch, including Hot Rum, Brandy, and Claret Punch, catered to various social strata.
• Though the name 'punch' faded, its spirit lives on in modern drinks like hot toddy and mulled wine, and in traditions at old clubs.

Why It Matters: Punch was a vital warming drink and social ritual for British colonials battling harsh Delhi winters.