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Planter’s Punch, Cocktail #63

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The Planter’s Punch is cocktail number 63 on the Swank Cocktail Guide.

Planter’s Punch
Planter’s Punch

Planter’s Punch cocktail history

Given the simplicity of the Planter’s Punch recipe – rum, citrus, sugar, and water – the drink has most likely been consumed for centuries. In 1857, a letter to the editor from “an old Jamaica planter” appeared in The Standard in London. Following the letter, a punch recipe was printed:

“Literally punch, composed of lemon juice, sugar, water, and rum, and given as beer is given in our harvest time.”

"The West Indies, Letter to the Editor," newspaper article, The Standard (London, England), 30 Dec 1857, p. 6, col. 5.
“The West Indies, Letter to the Editor,” newspaper article, The Standard (London, England), 30 Dec 1857, p. 6, col. 5.

Planter’s Punch cocktail recipe

Planter's Punch cocktail recipe
Planter’s Punch cocktail recipe

Fill glass 2/3 with ice, add 1 jigger Lime juice, 2 jiggers Sugar syrup, 3 jiggers Jamaica Rum, 3 jiggers water. Add fruit desired. Stir.

Ingredients used:

  • Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum
  • Fresh-squeezed lime juice
  • Simple syrup

Planter’s Punch cocktail review

Our ratings (1-5 🍸)

Greg: 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸
Kim: 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸

Trois-Ilets, Martinique beach bar
Trois-Ilets, Martinique beach bar, 1990s

For several decades we spent quite a bit of time on French islands in the Caribbean.

I can still remember ordering a Punch at our hotel’s beach bar in Trois-Ilets, Martinique and the bartender smiled and simply said, “Plus forte.”

Punch was essentially a shot of rum with a squeeze of lime juice.

With a bit more lime juice, a touch of simple syrup and some water, this Planter’s Punch is a tasty cocktail.

Next up… Cocktail # 64, Rob Roy

Swank Cocktail Guide: 80 cocktails in 80 days

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