It’s pretty impossible to visit the Caribbean and not encounter some form of Rum Punch. It’s a classic Caribbean cocktail that celebrates our rich history as being the birthplace of rum. Many hotels will offer this cocktail as a welcome drink on arrival, and even various excursions will have their own secret recipe that they will offer you as refreshment while you tour the island. The ingredients may vary slightly from island to island, but if you follow the recipe below, you’ll either be reminiscing and longing to visit the Caribbean again or eager to visit for the first time.
The Rum
The story of rum began in 1703 on the island of Barbados. Over the centuries rum has been perfected and is now a treasured product both within and outside of the Caribbean. Rum is heavily tied to our way of life and it’s a part of every celebration. For best results with the recipe below, use your favorite Caribbean rum brand. Some of the most popular and highly acclaimed rums include Mount Gay Rum (oldest rum brand in the world from Barbados), Appleton Estate Rum (from Jamaica), El Dorado Rum (from Guyana), Bacardi (from Puerto Rico), Havana Club (from Cuba), Pusser’s Rum, and Cruzan (from St. Croix). To get better acquainted with the rums of the Caribbean make sure you include a visit to one of the many distilleries during your stay.
The Recipe
The best way to remember this recipe when you’re in a pinch is this handy little poem:
“One of sour, Two of sweet
Three of strong, Four of weak
A dash of bitters and a sprinkle of spice,
Serve well chilled with plenty of ice.”
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh lime juice
2 cups grenadine or simple syrup
3 cups dark Caribbean rum
2 cups pineapple juice
2 cups orange juice
1 pinch of grated nutmeg
1 dash of Angostura bitters
Ice
Orange slices and Maraschino cherries for garnish
Variation: You can also use 4 cups of Passion Fruit juice instead of the Pineapple and Orange juice, or opt to replace the juice altogether with 4 cups of water. Feel free to use more than one rum brand if you so desire.
Method: Mix all the ingredients, except the nutmeg and bitters, in a pitcher or punch bowl. Chill and serve in a glass with ice, a dash of bitters and a pinch of nutmeg. Garnish with orange slices and cherries. Take your first sip and see you soon in the Caribbean!
