Make These 5 Variations Of Rum Punch At Your House Party
It is said that the origins of the rum punch cocktail are actually derived from the Indian word paanch, meaning five, which is a reference to the five ingredients: spirit, citrus, sugar, spice and water that make up this cocktail. The first appearance of this drink can be traced to some time in the 17th century, when sailors and traders would concoct the vibrant blend as they travelled around foreign shores. Eventually, the drink made its way into European countries, where it garnered popularity for being a flavourful mix of bright ingredients.
No wonder then that modern mixologists have dedicated a day to marking the attributes of this classic, timeless cocktail. The classic recipe involves the addition of 30 ml good quality dark rum that was brought in the early days from the time from Caribbean shores. Its caramelised flavours coupled with the citrusy notes of lemons and oranges and a dash of simple syrup turn the cocktail into a complexly flavoured blend made deeper with a sprinkling of cinnamon and nutmeg.
If you are a home mixologist keen to mark the special day reserved for this cocktail, here are some rum punch variations that you can concoct:
Classic Caribbean Rum Punch
One of the finest, age-old rum punch recipes which marks the long legacy of this cocktail is the classic Caribbean variation. This OG drink is brought about by stirring together a tablespoon of lime juice with one of simple syrup coupled with about 30 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum or any other premium rum of choice and a splash of water or soda. Finishing the drink off is a sprinkling of nutmeg powder and an orange wheel for a citrus lift. The rum punch can be presented in a punch bowl to be served with a ladle at your house party.
Tropical Fruit Punch Twist
Another variation of the rum punch involves bringing together different citrus fruits into the classic concoction to lend it a more tropical twist. This can mean adding a tablespoon each of pineapple juice, orange juice and grenadine syrup to the base built with 30 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum or any other premium rum of choice. The sunset-hued punch can be served at a party hosted outdoors in the late evening so it can match the colours of the setting sun. It is also possible to craft this cocktail using 30 ml white rum in lieu of the dark rum for a lighter flair.
Spiced Winter Punch
Swap out summer fruits like oranges and pineapples in the rum punch recipe and replace them with strawberries, blackberries and cranberries to prepare a sweet and tangy rum punch for the cold weather. Craft interesting compotes or purees out of these fruits and warm them up with whole spices like cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves. What would tie this simmering mixture together is about 15 ml apple juice. Once finished, build the drink on a base of 30 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum or any other premium rum of choice. Mulled wine meets its Caribbean counterpart in this one.
Sparkling Rum Punch
This is a particularly interesting alternative when you are building a batch cocktail for multiple guests. Where each serve amounts to 20 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum or any other premium rum of choice, craft this cocktail to serve at least 6-7 guests by introducing the light flavours of lime, passionfruit and a touch of elderflower syrup into the rum. What would finish the drink off is 10 ml of sparkling wine per serve that would make the drink bubbly enough, befitting the celebratory occasion.
Tea-Infused Rum Punch
A rather deeply flavoured variation of the punch recipe, this drink swaps out the spices with a dash of freshly brewed tea and just a teaspoon of ginger juice. The spiciness of ginger coupled with the earthy aroma of tea blends into the caramelised and lightly spiced notes of 30 ml Captain Morgan Dark Rum or any other premium rum of choice used to prepare the punch. This is an excellent cocktail for serving chilled with a fresh mint garnish — unexpectedly fresh and full of zing.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
