Bring home the mellow vibes of a cool sea breeze with a delicious and fruity Planter’s Punch.
I’ve spoken of the German expression fernweh before. If you’re unfamiliar with the word, you’ve probably experienced the feeling it describes. Literally translated as “farsickness”, fernweh is when you feel any kind of homesickness for a place you’ve never been. For some, that place is somewhere that doesn’t exist, like a fully realized fantasy world, the Star Wars galaxy for example. For others, these places are very real destinations on our planet.
I’ve always gotten feelings of fernweh whenever I’ve read, seen or heard anything related to Jamaica. Listening to musical legends like Toots Hibbert and Ernest Ranglin makes me wistful for an ocean breeze I’ve not actually experienced. Whenever I reread Ian Fleming’s James Bond novel Dr. No, and watch the movie, I’m always transported to a lush, tropical paradise… images of the author’s famous and historic home, GoldenEye, flood the mind’s eye. Swimming in the mornings, maybe a little snorkeling as well. Then a light lunch, followed by rum cocktails before an evening of writing and relaxation. Thoughts become things, as the saying goes. So I’m always thinking about visiting GoldenEye and Jamaica.
And speaking of rum cocktails, tonight’s recipe is a Jamaican vacation favorite, the Planter’s Punch. Dark rum mixed with lime, pineapple and orange juices, this tropical tipple has been enchanting tastebuds since the 1800s. Originally created to keep laborers that worked in the hot Caribbean sun cool, the Planter’s Punch soon began to be enjoyed throughout the world. While no specific figure in history is linked to inventing this mixture, it does appear by name for the first time in the September 1878 issue of Fun, a British publication. In the early 20th century, recipes began to appear in places such as the Kansas City Star and New York Times.
Thanks in part to the tiki movement of the 1960s in Southern California, the Planter’s Punch has remained on the radar of cocktail and tiki drink enthusiasts well into the 21st century.
What is the Best Rum to Use in a Planter’s Punch?
There are some dark rums out there that I truly look forward to sipping on. Some folks go for lesser-quality liquors if they know mixing will be involved. But I prefer going for high-quality spirits that are just as good when served neat. Brands like Blackwell and Smith & Cross pack a nice, spicy punch. Appleton Estate is a favorite Jamaican rum of mine, and makes wonderfully balanced concoctions.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/4 ounce grenadine
- Ice cubes
- Splash of club soda optional
- Orange slice for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a shaker, combine dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and grenadine with ice.
- Shake well until the mixture is well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with a splash of club soda if desired for a lighter, fizzier texture.
- Garnish with an orange slice to enhance the tropical feel of the drink.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
A highball glass filled with ice and garnished with a vibrant slice of orange will help your Planter’s Punch transport you to magical tiki lands.
You can combine all the ingredients minus the soda water, then store it in your fridge and shake individual portions over ice. Add the soda as you serve.
Each glass of this tasty drink has about 181 calories. While not the heaviest of beverages, it is delicious and you’ll definitely want a few, so be mindful of those numbers adding up.
It isn’t necessary, but I myself enjoy making a cocktail with Jamaican origins using a spirit that is made there. There’s an intangible magic that occurs, but that could also just be my romantic personality.
Similar Cocktails to the Planter’s Punch
Dreaming of sandy beaches, warm waves lapping at your toes and beautiful, scantily clad bodies lazily strolling along the shore? Trust me, so am I. When you just can’t get away and escape to a warm, tropical paradise, drinks like the Planter’s Punch can bring the dream of Caribbean vacations to your home in a single sip. Twist & Toast has some truly scrumptious recipes that’ll help you make some memories this summer.
- Bahama Mama – Just as much fun to say as it is to drink.
- Papa Doble – Ernest Hemingway’s own daiquiri, named as such because he always had two.
- Perfect Rum and Coke – Time to have some fun with a few glasses of this classic cocktail.
- Rum Sour – A mouth-watering tropically tinged Sour that you can’t refuse on a hot day.
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