Uploaded August 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Learn how to make Planter's Punch by using the 1940's Trader Vic's recipe which uses Jamaican Dark Rum (in this case Trinidadian), fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice, homemade Grenadine (youtu.be/4e2xNt385H4), sugar and optionally seltzer. This is a classic, tart, island cocktail.
Trader Vic's recipe specifically calls for Jamaican rum. I didn't have any on-hand. I only had American, Haitian and Trinidadian rums, so I opted for the Trinidadian. It's a dark rum, so it's got a lot of full, funky and complex flavors, which is the most important quality to look for in choosing a rum for this drink. The rum's flavor shines through on this one because there's so much of it in the drink, so make sure it's a good flavor.
The citrus juices are a big part of this drink, so be sure to use freshly squeezed juice. It will make a huge difference. I like to squeeze and strain and bottle them before I begin. It's better to measure the juice from a bottle (or at least from a cup with a lip) as opposed to squeezing it directly into the measuring cup.
Also, you're going to want to make your own Grenadine. It's going to make a world of difference from a store-bought brand. It's a pomegranate syrup and it's important to taste the pomegranate. It's totally worth the extra effort.
The granulated sugar is going to be the part where you control the sweetness of the drink. After everything has been stirred in the mixing glass, give it a taste. If it's way to tart, add another quarter teaspoon of sugar. This will all depend on how potent your batch of lemons and limes were, how sweet and powerful your rum is and how potent your Grenadine is, so this could vary the drink from batch to batch, which is why you want to sample it before you commit to it. But also keep in mind, that the crushed ice will help mellow everything as well.
The important thing is that it tastes great. It's super-potent, so you don't have to worry, it will definitely knock you on your ass. Just make sure you're sitting down. Cheers!
Recipe:
3 oz Rum
1 oz Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
0.5 oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Grenadine
0.25 tsp Sugar
top Soda Water (optional)
Stir over ice in mixing glass. Pour over crushed ice in collins glass. Optionally, top with Soda Water. Serve with straw.
Music:
Cubanos by The Human Fund
via Jingle Punks
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Featured in This Episode:
Plantation Dark Rum
plantationrum.com/en/pages/view/369
Neat Ice Kit (Clear Ice Cube Mold, Ice Mallet & Lewis Bag)
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Soda Siphon
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Bar Tools:
Schott Zwiesel Collins Glass
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Measuring Cup
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Measuring Spoons
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Barspoon
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Plaid Paper Straw
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Mixing Glass
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Hawthorne Strainer
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Mixing Glass & Hawthorne Strainer
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Fine Mesh Strainer
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Citrus Juicer (Lime)
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Citrus Juicer (Lemon)
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Cutting Board
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Small Knife
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Learn how to make Planter's Punch by using the 1940's Trader Vic's recipe which uses Jamaican Dark Rum (in this case Trinidadian), fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice, homemade Grenadine (youtu.be/4e2xNt385H4), sugar and optionally seltzer. This is a classic, tart, island cocktail.
Trader Vic's recipe specifically calls for Jamaican rum. I didn't have any on-hand. I only had American, Haitian and Trinidadian rums, so I opted for the Trinidadian. It's a dark rum, so it's got a lot of full, funky and complex flavors, which is the most important quality to look for in choosing a rum for this drink. The rum's flavor shines through on this one because there's so much of it in the drink, so make sure it's a good flavor.
The citrus juices are a big part of this drink, so be sure to use freshly squeezed juice. It will make a huge difference. I like to squeeze and strain and bottle them before I begin. It's better to measure the juice from a bottle (or at least from a cup with a lip) as opposed to squeezing it directly into the measuring cup.
Also, you're going to want to make your own Grenadine. It's going to make a world of difference from a store-bought brand. It's a pomegranate syrup and it's important to taste the pomegranate. It's totally worth the extra effort.
The granulated sugar is going to be the part where you control the sweetness of the drink. After everything has been stirred in the mixing glass, give it a taste. If it's way to tart, add another quarter teaspoon of sugar. This will all depend on how potent your batch of lemons and limes were, how sweet and powerful your rum is and how potent your Grenadine is, so this could vary the drink from batch to batch, which is why you want to sample it before you commit to it. But also keep in mind, that the crushed ice will help mellow everything as well.
The important thing is that it tastes great. It's super-potent, so you don't have to worry, it will definitely knock you on your ass. Just make sure you're sitting down. Cheers!
Recipe:
3 oz Rum
1 oz Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
0.5 oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
0.5 oz Grenadine
0.25 tsp Sugar
top Soda Water (optional)
Stir over ice in mixing glass. Pour over crushed ice in collins glass. Optionally, top with Soda Water. Serve with straw.
Music:
Cubanos by The Human Fund
via Jingle Punks
Follow Us!
facebook.com/DistinguishedSpirits
instagram.com/distinguishedspirits
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
pinterest.com/DistinguishedSp
Featured in This Episode:
Plantation Dark Rum
plantationrum.com/en/pages/view/369
Neat Ice Kit (Clear Ice Cube Mold, Ice Mallet & Lewis Bag)
amzn.to/1Mri9Rs
Soda Siphon
amzn.to/1EqLiE9
Bar Tools:
Schott Zwiesel Collins Glass
amzn.to/1KT98zr
Measuring Cup
amzn.to/1KT9dTO
Measuring Spoons
amzn.to/1JQaABS
Barspoon
amzn.to/1FfLxB4
Plaid Paper Straw
amzn.to/1SPlyd4
Mixing Glass
amzn.to/1QgQ7oN
Hawthorne Strainer
amzn.to/1FfK2mB
Mixing Glass & Hawthorne Strainer
amzn.to/1FT6maj
Fine Mesh Strainer
amzn.to/1KDExWv
Citrus Juicer (Lime)
amzn.to/1JTc1QV
Citrus Juicer (Lemon)
amzn.to/1V7xQi6
Cutting Board
amzn.to/1QgQTSW
Small Knife
amzn.to/1KDFQoc
