Planter's Punch
Planter's Punch is counted as an IBA (International Bartenders Association) Official Cocktail, which means it's among the universally requested drinks out there. And why wouldn't it be? This cocktail typically features Jamaican rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, and sugarcane juice. It's a great drink to recreate if you're hosting a daytime soiree or if you want to spend some me-time (under a shade and completely slathered in sunscreen) outdoors with a good book.
Planter's Punch has conflicting origins; some say it was invented by Fred L. Myers, the founder of Myers Rum in Jamaica, sometime in the late 19th century. Others tend to credit it to the Planters Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, in the US. However, there's no official record that can definitively set the story about the drink's origin straight.
It's a great drink to offer on hot summer days because it's tangy, sweet, refreshing, and rejuvenating. Once you get this recipe right, you can put your own riff on it. Why not, right? Get inventive and come up with your own unique version of the Planter's Punch that we know is going to be as tasty as the IBA's recipe.
Here’s the short and sweet recipe for Planter’s Punch:
Ingredients
Method
In a cocktail shaker filled with a handful of ice, add all the ingredients.
Shake vigorously till the cocktail has completely cooled.
Strain into a terracotta cup with pebbled ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
Tips:
Adjust the level of dilution according to your preference by adding water, ice, or more juice.
You can also opt for soda water to dilute the cocktail, which will add a sparkling quality to it.
Experiment with flavors by using orange juice, pineapple juice, or even a dash of mango or passion fruit puree. This won’t be the authentic Planter’s Punch, but you should definitely make adjustments if you want to!
Rum already has a very strong taste, and can be overpowering if used in large quantities, so avoid using more than 45 ml in one drink.
Consider switching out Jamaican rum for spiced rum infused with cinnamon or cloves to give this cocktail an exciting new dimension. Alternatively, grating some fresh nutmeg before serving is a good idea too.
You can also experiment with bitters such as Angostura or orange bitters. There are some recipes that even include Amaretto in the ingredients list.
While the IBA recipe suggests using orange zest for garnish, you can amp up the cocktail's visual appeal by using skewered fruit (with orange, pineapple, kiwi, and mango), edible flowers, fresh herbs like mint or basil, or even cherries and a chunk of pineapple.
Lastly, remember to always drink responsibly, as excessive intake can have adverse effects on your health.
