When you picture yourself stepping off the plane and onto the beaches of a tropical isle, what’s the drink you’re holding in your hand? It definitely has an umbrella sprouting from the glass, and it’s almost certainly rum punch.
Rum punch is the ideal tropical cocktail. It makes use of the Caribbean’s most popular spirit and often includes plenty of fruit flavors. What’s not to love? We’ll show you how to make the perfect rum punch recipe—even if you’re just staycationing this summer.
What Is Rum Punch?
Rum punch has a long history. According to David Wondrich, mixologist, historian and author of Punch, this cocktail originated when British sailors found themselves without beer yet still craved something alcoholic.
In places like the Caribbean, rum was the most available liquor. From there, a punch formula was created: part spirit, citrus, sugar, spice and water.
Over time, the ratios and particulars have changed. Today, most rum punch recipes call for some variation on those components. Our Test Kitchen’s favorite recipes include citrus juice, simple syrup or grenadine and, yes, plenty of rum.
Fruity Rum Punch Recipe
When most people think of a rum punch recipe, they’re looking for a fruity drink with a rummy kick. This recipe will do it. Plus, with its peachy pink hue, it screams vacation destination.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 ounces dark rum
- 1-1/2 ounces light rum
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/4 ounce grenadine
- Maraschino cherries to garnish
Directions
Grab your cocktail shaker for this recipe. Fill it three-quarters full with ice. Add in the rum (be sure to use light and dark), juices and grenadine. Cover and shake well for 15 to 20 seconds.
All that’s left is to strain this sipper into a cocktail glass full of ice. Garnish as you like with cherries (Luxardo cherries are always a welcome addition to a cocktail), fruit slices or even a paper umbrella.
Editor’s Tip: These are the best rums to add to your liquor cabinet.
Barbados Rum Punch Recipe
However, not all rum punches are as fruit-forward. According to award-winning mixologist and Barbados culinary ambassador Phillip Antoine, a good rum punch recipe should be, well, rum-forward. Below is a Bajan-style rum punch recipe and it follows the more traditional punch formula: spirit, citrus, spice, sugar and water.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 2 ounces water
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- Dash Angostura bitters
- Lime wedge for garnish
Directions
This rum punch recipe starts much the same as the last: Fill it three-quarters full of ice, then add in the rum, lime juice, simple syrup and cocktail bitters. Cover and shake for 15 to 20 seconds.
Next, strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass full of ice. Garnish with a slice of lime and serve. If you have fresh nutmeg, grate some on top like bartenders do in Barbados.
Editor’s Tip: A dash of bitters might not seem like much, but do not skip this ingredient! The bitters provide the much-needed spice element to this drink. You can even add a few more dashes of bitters for more spice—try it both ways. And while Angostura bitters are traditional, flavored bitters work in this drink, too.
More Ways to Make Rum Punch
These recipes are just the beginning, of course. You can easily customize these rum punch recipes to suit your tastes—and can make them in batches to serve at your next backyard bash.
Switch up the flavors
- Try different rums: The easiest way to change up the flavor of your rum punch recipe is with different rums. Try a new-to-you brand, spiced rum or even coconut rum.
- Use coconut water: Instead of using water in these recipes, try coconut water instead. It’ll add a light tropical taste.
- Infuse the simple syrup: When you’re making simple syrup at home, toss in a few Caribbean flavors to steep as it simmers away. Phillip Antoine suggests adding slices of fresh ginger, cardamom pods or even some cinnamon sticks. All these spices call the Caribbean home and are a great match for a rum punch recipe.
Make rum punch for a crowd
When you have people over for a party, the last thing you want to do is stand by the bar cart and play bartender all day. Instead, set out a large pitcher or punch bowl and turn a rum punch recipe into a batch cocktail.
To make rum punch for a crowd, just multiply the recipe by the number of servings you’d like to make. You can skip the cocktail shaker and ice and instead give the ingredients a good stir in a pitcher or punch bowl. When it comes time to serve, pour over plenty of ice and have garnishes at the ready.
Guava Coconut Rum Cocktail
My beverage is so sensational it's like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut rum drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York
Black-Eyed Susan
The Kentucky Derby has the mint julep; the Preakness has the black-eyed Susan. The drink is a sunny mix of vodka, rum, and pineapple and orange juices to toast your special events.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pina Colada
Velvety-smooth texture and a taste of the tropics are what this tropical drink delivers. The easy-to-make pina colada recipe can be mixed and chilled ahead of time. When ready to serve, just blend for a creamy and delicious beverage. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Blueberry Mojitos
Blueberry and lime are two of my favorite flavors, so I added blueberries to my favorite mixed drink! This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. To make simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Simple syrup will keep in the fridge for a week.—Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois
Passion Fruit Hurricanes
This is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Cranberry Sparkler
The flavors of this refreshing cran-raspberry cocktail are great any time of year. In winter, the cranberry makes it a good fit for holiday parties; on a warm summer's night, the raspberry comes to the fore. It's a favorite for our girls' night! —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
Pineapple Rum Punch
I created this with my favorite Bahamian juices. I got the inspiration for it from other Bahama punches I have sampled. —Pamela Vitti Knowles, Henderson, North Carolina
Mojito Slush
Whether you're splashing poolside or watching the kids inside, this slushy beverage has just the right balance of minty crispness and limey tartness that's sure to tingle your taste buds. —Jessica Ring, Chicago, Illinois
Santa’s Orange-Kissed Cocktail
Refreshing but not overly sweet, this drink is a festive choice for Christmas get-togethers. Serve it during cocktail hour, at dinner or even for brunch in place of mimosas. —Claire Beattie, Toronto, Ontario
Maple Blackberry Mojito
This refreshing blackberry cocktail is how you take advantage of prime berry season during the summer months. I've also used other types of fruit, including raspberries, kiwi and strawberries. —Donna Noel, Gray, Maine
Peachy Keen Daiquiris
You won’t mind breaking out the blender for these frosty fruit drinks—they’re a breeze to whip up. If you don't have fresh, use frozen peaches. A dash of grenadine gives the golden daiquire a blush of red.—Joan Antonen, Arlington, South Dakota
Spiked Lemonade
Rum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. If you have vodka on hand, try that instead of the rum. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Mai Tai
This party favorite has been around for quite some time. It's not overly fruity and features a good blend of sweet and sour. For a splash of color, garnish with strawberries and lime.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Agua de Jamaica
This agua de Jamaica is an iced tea made from hibiscus, which is tart and deep red like cranberry juice. Add rum if you like. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hop, Skip and Go
Here's a different drink for a beer-drinking crowd. It gets a touch of sweetness from lemonade. Make it in a blender for a frothy, fun look or mix in a pitcher for less foam.—Taste of Home Test KitchenThe post How to Make Rum Punch appeared first on Taste of Home.
source https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/rum-punch-recipe/
0 Response to "How to Make Rum Punch"
Post a Comment