Planter’s Punch

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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 fermented sugarcane juice or molasses and yeast, which are distilled and then aged, often in charred barrels, to develop a full-bodied, caramelized flavor.

Pineapple Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe pineapples that has a sweet, tangy tropical flavor and bright yellow color.

Grenadine: This is a sweetener made with pomegranate juice and white sugar, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a deep, sweet-tart flavor.

Orange Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe oranges that has a light, sweet citrus flavor and pale orange color.

Lime Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe limes that has a zesty, sour flavor and light green color.

Pineapple Wedge: This is pineapple flesh that has been cut into a wedge shape.

Mint: This is an herb made from the leaves of the mint plant, which are harvested and used for their cool, aromatic flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Brugal Doble Reserva Rum
• 🔗 Liber & Co. Real Grenadine Syrup

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Chef’s Knife: This is a large kitchen knife with a broad, sharp blade that’s used for chopping and slicing ingredients.

Pineapple Corer: This is a kitchen tool with a circular cutting blade that’s used for coring and slicing pineapples into rings or chunks.

Big Mouth Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a wide, bowl-shaped reamer and deep reservoir that’s used for efficiently extracting juice from large fruits.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Tiki Glass: This is a ceramic or glass mug with decorative, often Polynesian-inspired designs that’s used for serving tropical and tiki-style cocktails.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer
• 🔗 Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juicer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 Barfly Silver Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Sunset-like orange red hue

• Aroma: Ripe fruit with notes of pineapple and citrus

• Taste: Sweet and tart flavors with juicy orange, lime, and pineapple blending seamlessly with the rich, molasses-like depth of the dark rum and a subtle hint of spice

• Finish: Smooth, sweet pomegranate syrup with more tropical fruit notes

Kendall’s Take
“There’s a reason Planter’s Punch has stuck around in the tiki world for so long. It’s essentially just a simple combination of rum and fruit juices, but the flavors come together in a way that’s bright, juicy, and endlessly drinkable. It’s the kind of cocktail that feels right at home at a backyard party or summer gathering. Make a big batch, and I can just about guarantee it won’t last long.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the book The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.