Recipe for Caribbean Rum Punch

This recipe for Caribbean rum punch will have you feeling like you’re in the Caribbean with each and every sip!

With a mix of tropical fruit juices including pineapple, mango and orange, this recipe for Caribbean rum punch is super easy to make, making it the perfect rum punch cocktail for parties and entertaining. This recipe also includes the measurements to make larger batches (see note 5), so you can even serve this rum punch cocktail to a crowd at a summer BBQ or party.

Punch is considered one of the earliest cocktails, the drink that other cocktails are originated from. It’s unknown who made the first ever punch, but it is assumed to have been someone from Britain.

Punch is thought to have been invented in the 17th century by shipmen who worked for the the British East India Company as an alternative to beer and wine. Punch was made as a way of taming the strong taste of spirits like rum. It is also thought of to have helped sailors stay alive on long voyages as the citrus used in punch protected them from scurvy.

During the mid-1600s, when punch became a fashionable drink in London, it was mostly enjoyed by aristocrats as spirits, sugar, citrus and nutmeg were expensive ingredients. Rum became the popular choice for punches, especially as England had colonised sugar producing nations like Jamaica. Rum was produced across various British colonies from territories in the Americas to Mauritius off the coast of Africa.

Punch fell out of fashion during the Victorian era, however today punch is once again a fashionable beverage.

This easy rum punch recipe includes a few simple ingredients. You can also experiment with different fruit juices, types of rum, or sodas (for the non-alcoholic version) to create your own unique Caribbean rum punch recipe.

 Here are the ingredients for this recipe:

• Pineapple Juice
• Orange Juice
• Mango Juice
• Rum (white rum, dark rum or coconut rum)
• Nutmeg
• Lemon
• Lime
• Orange

And ginger beer to replace rum for the non-alcoholic tropical punch version (you could also experiment with different sodas like lemonade - but I personally love the kick from the ginger beer.)

You could also try replacing the plain pineapple juice for a pineapple and coconut juice to add a touch of tropical coconut flavour to your Caribbean rum punch cocktail. In fact, tropical drinks like this can be made with all kinds of fruit juices and you can play with the ratios to create different tropical flavours. Why not experiment with different juices to create your own tropical punch recipes! Ideas for other fruit juices you could use in your own version of Caribbean rum punch includes pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, apple juice, guava juice, grapefruit juice, passionfruit juice, tropical juice or lychee juice.

Another idea is to make your own fresh fruit juices at home, if you have a juicer or blender, and then use your homemade juice in your Caribbean rum punch cocktail. Sure, this may take some extra time but the fresh fruity flavours could be worth it!

To be served over ice.

Combine all the juices (pineapple, mango, orange) in a glass then add the rum and stir.

Grate some whole nutmeg (or use powdered nutmeg) into the glass and stir again.

Add a splash of grenadine. The grenadine will fall to the bottom to give the drink an ombre look - you can also mix it in if you prefer.

To be served over ice.

Combine all the juices (pineapple, mango, orange) in your glass then grate in some nutmeg and stir.

Fill the rest of your glass with ginger beer.

Add a splash of grenadine for colour. The grenadine will fall to the bottom to give the drink an ombre look - you can also mix it it in if you prefer.

Add in your slices of lime, lemon and orange.

(1) Can replace pineapple juice for pineapple coconut juice. Tropical drinks like this can be made with all kinds of fruit juices. Experiment with different juices to create your own tropical punch recipes!

(2) Can use white rum, dark rum or coconut rum. More or less to taste.

(3) Or strawberry syrup.

(4) If you’re in the mood to experiment, have some extra time and have a juicer or blender at home, why not try juicing some of the fruits instead of using store bought juices.

(5) To make a large rum punch batch use the below measurements:

• 3 parts pineapple juice
• 3 parts rum
• 1 part mango juice
• 1 part orange juice
• Grated nutmeg (to taste)
• Splash of grenadine
• Lime, lemon and orange slices

Sources & Further Reading:

1. Best Rums for Rum Punches - Read more 

2. Rum Punch - Read more

3. History of punch - Read more 

Always drink responsibly.