Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: A 1-2 Punch Combination

Happy long weekend everyone. With today being an observed holiday, I hope that the majority of you are ready to start day drinking. As they say: “You can’t drink all day unless you start in the morning!” Given that we’re in the middle of summer, and I have plenty of Goslings leftover from making dark & stormys, I wanted to look for something a bit tropical in nature. Using the dark rum as a base spirit, my research brought me to the Planter’s Punch.

My original idea was to use the recipe found at #6 on this list of classic rum cocktails. Seems like a good version right? Given how old it was, I decided to check a couple of the cocktail books I brought down to the Cape with me. The Waldorf Astoria book had their own version, but with an interesting note at the bottom of the recipe, in reference to how popular the Planter’s Punch became:

“…They are meant to be adjusted for personal taste, so have fun with them”

If the Waldorf says to have fun with it, then have fun with it I will! I decided to make a hybrid of the two recipes, since the Waldorf version uses homemade demerara and falernum syrups. Of which I do not have, nor the ingredients to make. Along with the grenadine, I’m taking the 3 ounce base measurement from the Taste of Home link because with the extra juices and sweeteners going in, I want a bit more rum. Plus, I like a stronger drink. So, here is the hybrid Planter’s Punch:

3 oz. Dark rum (Taste of Home)

1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice (Waldorf Astoria)

1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice (WA)

1/2 oz. Orange juice (WA)

1 tsp. Grenadine (ToH)

3/4 oz. Simple syrup (ToH)

3 dashes Angostura Bitters (ToH)

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice & shake. Strain into a rocks glass with ice and garnish with seasonal fruit.

Nose is a wonderful combination of rum and citrus. mainly the lemon/lime garnish. If the Caribbean had a smell, this would be close to it

The first sip is bitters forward, which is a bit surprising. 3 dashes might be too much in this hybrid recipe. However, as I drank more of it, the intensity of the bitters seemed to mellow out. Either I didn’t shake the drink enough (doubtful) or the ice melting watered it down just enough to take the edge off. If that is the case, it’s a rare occurrence of when watering down goes well.

This is a very, very smooth drinker. The lemon, lime & orange juices all balance each other nicely. Their combined acidity provides just enough of a zip, without becoming overbearing. There is a little bit of sweetness present throughout the sip. If you wanted it sweeter, add more simple syrup or grenadine. I think the ratio is good as it is now, but you do you.

I cannot taste the rum very much at all despite the 3 ounces I put in there. This is yet another addition to the “dangerously delicious” category of drinks.

This is a quality summer drink. I was going for a tropical vibe this week and I think I found what I’m looking for. Enjoy the long weekend, and make some cocktails!

(Banner image found here)