The 17th-century sailor rhyme: One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak.
The Historic Rhyme Explained
Originating with British East India Company sailors in the 1600s, the rhyme "One of Sour, Two of Sweet, Three of Strong, Four of Weak" remains the standard punch foundation: 1 part citrus juice, 2 parts oleo-saccharum (citrus oil syrup), 3 parts spirit (rum, cognac, arrack), and 4 parts diluent (black tea, water, or dry sparkling wine).
The Importance of Block Ice
Never pour punch over standard ice cubes in a large bowl. Small cubes possess immense surface area and will melt completely within 30 minutes, turning your balanced cocktail into watery fruit juice. Instead, freeze water in an empty 2L ice cream tub or plastic container. A single massive ice block has minimal surface area, keeping the bowl frosty for 4 hours while melting at a slow, controlled trickle.