Rum Punch – A Couple Cooks

This rum punch recipe has a vibrant blend of white and dark rum and fruit juices, making a perfectly balanced tropical flavor every sip!

Here’s a classic rum cocktail that’s as popular today as it was when it was invented: rum punch! The concept of rum punch goes back to the 1600’s, though this one is closer to a Planter’s Punch from the early 1900’s. The combination of white and dark rum with fresh fruit juices is perfectly balanced: sweet tart, fruity, and tropical. It’s so good you won’t be able to resist another sip. As two cocktail experts and certified mixologists, we love this easier spin on the Mai Tai: prepare to be amazed!

What is rum punch?

A punch is any drink that includes fruit juices, either non-alcoholic or alcoholic, often served in a large bowl with glasses. The first printed record of a punch dates back to 1632 in English documents, a concept borrowed from India. Modern punch evolved in the 1650’s with Jamaican rum. The single serving punch, called a sling, came about after that (the most famous of which is the Singapore Sling).

Some of the oldest punches are rum-based, made using the following recipe in a rhyme: “One of Sour, Two of Sweet, Three of Strong, Four of Weak.” This rum punch recipe is similar to the drink Planter’s Punch, which originated in Jamaica and was first published in an 1878 London magazine. This recipe adds pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine syrup, which is traditional in many modern rum punch recipes. The ingredients for rum punch are:

• White rum
• Dark rum
• Pineapple juice
• Orange juice
• Lime juice
• Grenadine

Types of rum

Many rum punch recipes use more than one type of rum, which adds nuance in flavor. Taste the different varieties, and you’ll find that they almost taste like different spirits! You can use only one type of rum if it’s all you have, but it’s worth seeking out two types for the flavor difference. Here’s an outline on types of rum:

• Dark rum has a deep, caramel flavor and notes of cinnamon and spices (see Dark Rum Drinks).
• White rum has a straightforward flavor rum with the signature fruity finish.
• Aged rum, aka golden or añejo rum, has notes of vanilla, coconut, almond, citrus, or caramel.

Avoid coconut rum, which is really a sweet coconut-flavored liqueur made with rum (Malibu is the most popular). If all you have is white rum or dark rum, you can use just one type of rum in a pinch.

Buy grenadine or make homemade

Got grenadine on hand? Grenadine is a red non-alcoholic syrup with a sweet tart flavor, commonly used in cocktails and mocktails. While you might think it’s cherry flavored, it’s actually made from pomegranate juice! It’s been used in cocktails for hundreds of years, from the Singapore Sling to the Shirley Temple.

Much of the grenadine on the market today has artificial sweeteners and colors. Look for an all natural grenadine, or you can make homemade grenadine! It’s easy to make with pomegranate seeds.

How to make rum punch

This rum punch recipe is for a single serving drink, in the tradition of the classic Singapore Sling or Hurricane. But you can serve it in a punch bowl, too! Here’s how to make rum punch (or jump to the recipe below):

• Stir: In a hurricane glass, add 1 ounce each white rum and dark rum, 2 ounces pineapple juice, 1 ounce orange juice and ½ ounce lime juice.
• Top with grenadine: Top with ½ ounce grenadine, which will settle to the bottom and make a gradient effect. Serve garnished with an orange slice and cocktail cherry!

Serving in a punch bowl

If you’re making rum punch for a crowd, the best way to serve it is in a punch bowl! It’s easy to multiply the quantities for 8 drinks. Simply replace each ounce with 1 cup of the ingredient! Here’s what to do:

• Add all ingredients, including the grenadine, to a punch bowl.
• Add a few handfuls ice to cool.
• Garnish with orange slices!

This rum punch has risen to the top of our favorite drinks to make: we hope you’ll love it too! It’s a fantastic tropical drink or beach drink, and works in any season.

More rum drinks

Love rum? Here are a few more top rum cocktails to try: