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Cocktail History
The Planter’s Punch is a vintage cocktail that is believed to have been created in the late 1800s in Jamaica. The recipe, which is most often served in a large format punch as is implied by its name, is made with a simple mixture of rum, pineapple, pomegranate syrup, and citrus juices that altogether make a great party drink for all palates.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Dark Rum: This is a type of rum made with sugarcane, spices, and alcohol that has been barrel aged for a long period of time. We used Brugal Doble Reserva Rum because it’s a full and smooth yet complex spirit with notes of tropical fruit, citrus, and spices. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative in place of the rum.
Pineapple Juice: This is the liquid juice of a pineapple. We used fresh pineapple juice.
Grenadine: This is a sweetener made with pomegranate juice and white sugar. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.
Orange Juice: This is the liquid juice of a orange. We used freshly squeezed orange juice.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Pineapple Wedge: This is pineapple flesh that has been cut into a wedge shape.
Mint Sprig: This is an herb. We used Mojito mint.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Chef’s Knife: This is used to cut larger fruits and vegetables into slices for the garnish. We used the OXO Good Grips 8-Inch Chef’s Knife.
Pineapple Corer: This is used to remove the core of the pineapple before it’s juiced. We used the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus, fruits, and vegetables. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer for the lime and the Hamilton Beach Large Juicer for the pineapple.
Tasting Notes
The Planter’s Punch has aromas of pineapple and mint and a fruity, citrus-packed taste that featues rum chased with an indescribable bouquet of fruity flavors.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: Although lacking in the complexity we’ve come to expect from modern cocktails of this template, this “original” version of Planter’s Punch from The Essential Cocktail Book hits all of the right marks to be tasty enough for a punchbowl.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐
“As one of the most classic template recipes out there, the Planter’s Punch is no more a recipe than, say, a Martini. No two will ever be quite alike, and ratios, ingredients, methods, and garnishes will differ from person to person. Unlike the Martini, though, this drink is much more appealing to all palates. Its combination of fruit, rum, and sugar is a tale as old as time, but this one is classically known for being a large format punch with a variety of syrups, fruit juices, and, of course, any rum you have on hand. Please use our recipe as inspiration, but create your own variety; as long as your ratios are similar, it’s sure to be a hit!”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐
“I can see why this cocktail became a go-to in the tiki realm. It’s essentially just a bunch of fruit juice mixed with a bit of rum. Although certainly delicious, I really like more complexity in my tiki recipes nowadays, but I can’t knock this one for its taste. Put a big bowl of this out at a summertime gathering, and guests will enjoy the heck out of it!”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.
Add rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, orange juice, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a hurricane or tiki glass over fresh cracked ice.
Garnish with pineapple wedge and mint sprig.
Ingredients
Directions
Add rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, orange juice, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a hurricane or tiki glass over fresh cracked ice.
Garnish with pineapple wedge and mint sprig.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative in place of the rum to try a booze-free version of this drink.
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More Tiki Cocktails
If you like this tiki-inspired cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that are similar that you may enjoy:
Junior Colada: A pineapple rum cocktail made with coconut liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, coconut soda, and pineapple fronds
Caribe Daiquiri: A rum cocktail made with pineapple juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and a lime slice
Wishful Thinking: A sloe gin and rhum agricole cocktail made with ginger syrup, lime juice, absinthe, Angostura aromatic bitters, and a mint sprig
Greena Colada: A rum cocktail made with triple sec, lime juice, lemon juice, Green Chartreuse, velvet falernum liqueur, crème of coconut, mint, and a lime wheel
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