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Rum Punch

November 11, 2023

A favorite sweet and tart cocktail that gets topped with an orange wedge and Maraschino cherry for the ultimate festive drink.

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  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Cocktails
Rum punch in two tall glasses topped with cherries and a slice of orange.
Photography by Gayle McLeod

More Festive Cocktails From The Modern Proper

Rum Punch With A Cherry On Top

Rum punch is our favorite use for Maraschino cherries and grenadine, after a Shirley Temple, of course! This classic drink has been around since the 1600s–one of the earliest known cocktails, since rum, sugar, and lime juice were all found in abundance across Britain’s colonial territories–and has stood the test of time. We love that it can be easily scaled to make in large batches for entertaining. We hope you fill up a rum punch bowl for your next get together. Traditional rum punch is enjoyed during the holiday season throughout the Caribbean, with recipes simply described in parts by the ingredient type–sour, sweet, strong (that’s the rum), and weak (the ice!).

Ice, Dark rum, light rum, oranges, maraschino cherries, orange juice, bitters and pineapple juice.

Rum Punch Ingredients

What rum is best for rum punch? We use both white and dark rum to add a layer of flavor to this typically fruit juicy drink.

  • White rum is most frequently used in mixed drinks, since it’s a bit lighter bodied.

  • Dark rum has a more complex flavor profile.

  • Orange and lime juices are used in equal parts

  • Grenadine syrup is pomegranate-based and it’s absolutely possible to make your own with pomegranate juice, pomegranate syrup, and sugar if you want to put in a little extra leg work. We encourage you to seek out a grenadine that is not overly sweet.

  • Pineapple juice for tartness

  • Angostura bitters, just a splash, to balance it all out.

rum punch in a glass pitcher, surrounded by ice, oranges, bitters and Maraschino cherries in small bowls.
Glass pitcher pouring pineapple juice into a large pitcher of rum punch surrounded by bitters, lime juice, pineapple juice.

How To Make Rum Punch

We love this easy rum punch recipe because it basically makes itself. It only requires a little measuring before you have a bright and cheerful cocktail to serve your guests, and hopefully a glass for yourself!

  1. Measure all of the ingredients

  2. Combine them in a punch bowl (now’s the time to get out your grandma’s cool pressed glass one!) or a glass pitcher. We recommend a glass serving vessel because the rum punch is a lovely rosy color from the combination of grenadine and juice.

  3. Serve over ice.

  4. Finish with a few dashes of Angostura bitters, a garnish of Maraschino cherry and orange wedge.

large glass of rum punch topped with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
Rum punch in two tall glasses topped with cherries and a slice of orange.

Tools You’ll Need

Get Out The Cocktail List, Because We Have More To Add

We’ve had a lot of fun adding to our repertoire of cocktails that are fun and easy to craft as home bartenders. We hope that you give them a try too!

Did You Fall In Love With This Rum Punch Recipe?

For more recipe inspiration, check out our 10 Festive Holiday Drinks post. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper. Happy cooking!

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Rum Punch

  • Serves:  8
  • Prep Time:  5 min
  • Cook Time:  0 min
  • Calories:  180

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white rum
  • 1 cup dark rum
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ½ cup grenadine
  • ½ cup lime juice
  • Angostura bitters, for serving
  • Maraschino cherries, for serving
  • 1 large orange, cut into wedges, for serving

Method

  1. In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine the white rum, dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine, and lime juice.

  2. To serve, fill 10-ounce glasses with ice and pour in the punch. Top with 3-4 generous dashes of bitters. Garnish with a cherry and an orange wedge.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories 180
  • Protein 0 g
  • Carbohydrates 22 g
  • Total Fat 0 g
  • Dietary Fiber 0 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • sodium 16 mg
  • Total Sugars 20 g

Rum Punch

Questions & Reviews

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  • Jenn

    This is so yummy. Mad bit for an early Christmas celebration and not a drop left!

    Thanks Jenn, glad everyone enjoyed it!