Log in Join & Subscribe Premium

Planter's Punch

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (113)
Planter's Punch image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Overproof aged pot still rum (high-ester 4-6 years old)
1 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄2 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix
2 fl oz Chilled water/mineral water
3 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above.

How to make

Glass

Photographed in an UB Ice Mixer 14.5oz

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COLLINS GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of orange slice wheel and mint sprigs.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS orange zest twist over cocktail and use as garnish along with mint sprigs bouquet.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Planter's Punch contains 188 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 13.36% alc./vol. (26.71° proof)
  • 21.6 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Invented in the late 19th century by the founder of Myers's rum, Fred L. Myers. The recipe on the back of each bottle of his rum is known as the "Old Plantation formula" and uses the classic rum punch proportions: 1 sour (lime), 2 sweet (sugar), 3 strong (rum), and 4 weak (water).

Rather than this, or the American formula: 1 sour, 2 sweet, 3 weak, and 4 strong, I've followed David A. Embury's recommendation (in his 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks) of 1 sweet, 2 sour, 3 strong and 4 weak.

1 part Sugar Syrup
2 parts Lemon Juice
3 parts Jamaica Rum
2 or 3 dashes Angostura to each drink.
Shake vigorously with crushed ice and pour, without straining, into Collins glasses. Pack glasses to top with crushed ice, fill to within 1/2" to 1/3" of top with charged water and churn with a bar spoon until glasses start to frost. Decorate with fruit as desired and serve with straws.

David A. Embury, 1948

Review

A tangy punch that harnesses the strength and rich flavours of the rum.

Variations/similar cocktails

Rum Punch

Difford’s Shop logo
$6.47 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 16.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Chris Dimal
Made it with Smith & Cross. It was unfortunately not balanced and fell flat. I think using a dark Jamaican run alongside the Smith & Cross would be better. I guess that's why you now use Hampden Overproof, due to the extra aging.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Made using Jamaican Navy Rum and use grenadine instead of sugar syrup. Strong, flavourful, and spirit forward.
score: 2
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Yum, the grenadine's a nice touch!
score: 2
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
We were expecting something somewhat overpowering and were very pleasantly surprised at its elegant and refreshing nature. We followed Cole Hladun's advice and laid a gentle float of Falernum. Next time we might substitute Dillon Sirop de Canne Roux for the simple syrup.
score: 1
Robert Spain
A great high ball drink. Smith and Cross is deliciously funky, and ime is not overwhelmingly sour. Tried with still and sparkling water, both are good.
score: 2
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Also used S&C, added seltzer after the shake. Excellent and refreshing!
score: 1
Cole Hladun
Made with Rum Fire and a Falernum float. Very good.
score: 2
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Looks delicious, will try.
score: 1
Jose Cruz
Smith and cross to the Rescue, 25ML demerara syrup for me. Surprisingly still super funky even with all that dillution and ice. Excellent.
score: 3
Ben S
Same experience here! I was a bit dubious from 2 full oz of dilution. This is an easy, funky rum-foward delight!
score: 4
John Hinojos Premium Member
Had again on a very warm late August afternoon. As the Jamaicans know, this is one of the best ways to cool down. Did substitute our own grenadine for the sugar syrup. Still dry, but improved the colour of the cocktail.
score: 1
Hunter Newsome
This was intensely dry. I would reduce the lime by 1/2 or up the sugar syrup by 1/2.
score: 2
John Hinojos Premium Member
You would like the Rum Punch instead of this one. It is 1 of sour to 2 of sweet.
score: 1
Chris Dimal
A drink which can really highlight the funkiness of a Jamaican rum, no matter how mild it may seem. I used Appleton Estate Reserve Blend, and I actually taste the funk a fair bit (or whatever is there, anyway).
score: 1
Chris Dimal
I also want to add that I used a mix of Demerara syrup and standard sugar syrup (2:1 ratio).
score: 1
fred88
Quite dangerous because it is boozy and tastes so good.
score: 2

Showing the first 10 of 12 comments.

View 12 comments and discussion

See more...

Anytime Cocktails

Anytime Cocktails image

Cocktails suited to being enjoyed any time of the day.

View more

Citrusy Cocktails

Citrusy Cocktails image

Cocktails made with citrus juices such as lime, lemon orange and grapefruit.

View more

Elevenses/afternoon Cocktails

Elevenses/afternoon Cocktails image

Cocktails suited to enjoying during a leisurely afternoon.

View more

Hall of Fame & must know/try Cocktails

Hall of Fame & must know/try Cocktails image

The best-know, most enduring cocktails of all time.

View more

Long drinks & highballs Cocktails

Long drinks & highballs Cocktails image

Long, tall cocktails, served in an ice-filled Collins or Highball glass.

View more

Sours (citrus) Cocktails

Sours (citrus) Cocktails image

Cocktails made with sour citrus juice balanced by sugar, honey, liqueur or other sweet ingredient.

View more

Summer Cocktails

Summer Cocktails image

Refreshing summer coolers, suited to enjoying on warm days and nights.

View more
Difford’s Shop logo
$6.47 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 16.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

20 best Triple Sec cocktails

20 best Triple Sec cocktails Image

Triple sec is an enduring mainstay of the cocktail bar, a key ingredient in classics such as the Corpse Reviver, Margarita, Sidecar and the White...

View more

20 best Coffee liqueur cocktails

20 best Coffee liqueur cocktails Image

From a B52 to an Espresso Martini, coffee liqueur may not feature in as many cocktails as some other liqueurs, but it seems to play an essential role...

View more

Mucho Grande

Mucho Grande Image

A delicately bittersweet Tequila Sour.

View more

Calling Card

Calling Card Image

A Scotch whisky sour that's set apart by the clever use of manzanilla sherry, which tones and brightens, while peach bitters add complexity.

View more

Victoria (Bariana, 1896)

Victoria (Bariana, 1896) Image

This attractive, pale-green, minty-fresh cocktail is best enjoyed as a late-night after-dinner freshener.

View more

Pineapple Mezcal Margarita

Pineapple Mezcal Margarita Image

Rum-based "Tropical Curaçao" and a splash of mellowing reposado tequila; add to this Mezcal Margarita.

View more