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Rum Punch

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (189)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1/2 fl oz Overproof white rum (unaged Jamaican/funky)
1/2 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix
2 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters
2 fl oz Chilled water/mineral water

How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Collins glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COLLINS GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of skewered orange slice and Luxardo Maraschino Cherry (sail)..

Method

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

Garnish

  1. Garnish with skewered orange slice wheel and maraschino cherry (sail).

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 10/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 4/10

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Rum Punch contains 204 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 13.98% alc./vol. (27.95° proof)
  • 22.6 grams of pure alcohol
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History

The classic proportions of this drink are one of sour (lime juice), two of sweet (sugar syrup), three of strong (rum) and four of weak (water/juice/cold tea), a formula respected in our recipe.

See Punch history

Review

In Jamaica, the spiritual home of the Rum Punch, they like their rum overproof, and many prefer this cocktail served over crushed ice to further dilute and tame this very strong spirit.

Cocktail of the day:

6th August 2026 is Jamaican Independence Day

Variations/similar cocktails

Planter's Punch

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Comments & Discussion

Theo Clark
This was such a miss for me. I couldn't taste a single ingredient that wasn't the one ounce of sugar syrup. I didn't even get the burn from the whopping 1.5 Oz of overproof Wray & nephew. First time in a while I've just poured a drink out, I can get hungover with Waaaay better drinks than this.
score: -4
Ryan L Hamilton
Replace the water with earl grey tea!
score: 6
Ryan Madden Premium Member
Great suggestion; I made it with orange pekoe.
score: 2
John Hinojos Premium Member
Used Neisson rhum. Felt it needed a little more rum flavour. Added a float of Demerara Rum and it was perfect. Since it is summer, served with fresh cherries.
score: 1
Robert Spain
Wonderfully simple and delicious. Wray & Nephew it's amazing here, but I'm looking forward to try Rum Fire and other overproof rums in the near future.
score: 2
Patricio González-Careaga López-Tapia Premium Member
Amazingly Good, one of the best ever. Shouldnt it be fine strained after shaking with juice? Thanks for the incredible recipes.
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Our pleasure! I don't tend to fine strain when straining over ice. (I always fine strain after shaking and serving straight-up.)
score: 2
Daniel Lewis
Probably the best and one of the simplest cocktails of all time. Absolutely divine flavour, this takes you off to an evening on the beach where ever you are.
score: 6
Daniel Lewis
Meant to add - you can shake the nuts off this and make it a tall drink and the rum still cuts thru
score: 3
John Hinojos Premium Member
Used 2/3 White overproof Wray and Nephew and 1/3 Lemon Hart 151 Demerara. Wow. Big rum punch (no pun intended).
score: 2
Charlie Forbes Premium Member
So, effectively, a daiquiri w/ ango on the rocks...
score: 1
Matt Premium Member
Fantastic - I used Wray & Nephew Navy Strength (one of my favorites) - this cocktail allows the highlights of the rum to shine while boosting the sweetness and a bit of citrus as well. Excellent cocktail - highly recommended!!
score: 1
Matt Premium Member
Oops - I meant Smith & Cross Navy Strength, not Wray & Nephew - sorry for any confusion this may have caused.
score: 2
Peter M Premium Member
Made this with 45 ml Wray & Nephew, 15 ml lime juice, 30 ml 2:1 sugar syrup, 24 drops Angostura, 60 ml chilled water. Very tasty. The lime, sugar, bitters, & water help soften the edges of the rum without taking center stage. Very flavorful. Seems like a great option for introducing someone to Wray & Nephew. Also seems great for a hot summer day!
score: 1

Showing the first 10 of 16 comments.