Jamaican Rum Punch

Through my experimentation with cocktails over the last few months, I've settled into rum as my spirit of choice. There are so many different styles, which are closely tied to the history of the Caribbean. With so many countries of origin and production methods, rum firmly defies categorization, despite the many attempts to do so. It's kind of a perfect storm for a history buff and budding cocktail enthusiast. Rum cocktails are also extremely diverse, from straightforward classics like the daiquiri to the complex Tiki-style drinks that rose to prominence in the 1930s and 40s. This simple punch has become one of my favorite go-to drinks lately. 

This rum punch started out as a variation on a classic daiquiri, by way of Martin Cate's planter's punch recipe. Dashes of both Angostura and orange bitters (both can be found cheaply at Walmart) add a little extra without taking over the flavor profile. This drink is not as clean as a daiquiri, but does let the individual rum shine through in a way that more complicated drinks (see the Painkiller) do not. Demerara sugar appears for the first time since my iced coffee recipe. The fuller-flavored Jamaican rum stands up to it in a way that wouldn't work as well in a traditional daiquiri. If all you can get is regular white sugar, that's also fine. This post is not meant to be overly prescriptive. I usually leave this one ungarnished, but if I'll stick a mint sprig in there if I'm feeling fancy.

Our local municipal liquor does not have a great rum selection, so I typically use Appleton Signature Blend for this. Very much the starter Jamaican rum, it's one of the most accessible and best value bottles out there. If you can get something more interesting, definitely go for it. I've also done this drink with half Appleton and half Smith and Cross. Bottled at "navy strength" (supposedly strong enough to allow gunpowder to light if spilled), it brings a lot to the table in both alcohol and flavor. Ariel picked me up a bottle last time she was in Sioux Falls (where we rarely go since the pandemic started), and I'm looking forward to trying it out in more cocktails.

Ingredients

• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1 oz. Demerara simple syrup (1:1 Demerara sugar to water by weight)
• 2 oz. Jamaican rum (Appleton Signature Blend)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Pinch of salt
• Garnish: mint sprig

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Old fashioned glass

Instructions

Fill old fashioned glass about half full with ice cubes. Combine lime juice, simple syrup, rum, bitters, and salt in the cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake hard until cold. Strain into the glass. If using, clap the mint between hands and tuck into the glass.