Ingredients

2 ozdark jamaican rum
60 ml
1 ozfresh lime juice
30 ml
½ ozsimple syrup
15 ml
½ ozgrenadine
15 ml
2 dashesangostura bitters
2 dashes
grated on topfresh nutmeg
grated on top

Instructions

Combine dark Jamaican rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, grenadine, and Angostura bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until well-chilled. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Grate fresh nutmeg over the top and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. The Planter's Punch is a Jamaican classic that showcases funky Jamaican rum at its best.

Sips & Tips

Technique

Use a funky Jamaican rum — the ester-heavy character is what makes Planter's Punch distinctive. Appleton Estate, Smith & Cross, or Rum-Bar Gold all work beautifully. Grate fresh nutmeg on top just before serving; it adds a warm spice aroma that's essential to the drink's character.

Balance

The Jamaican rum's funk is the star here — don't mask it with too much sweetener. The grenadine adds pomegranate sweetness and a beautiful color, while the lime juice provides the acidity that keeps everything in balance. Real grenadine (not the neon-red stuff) makes a significant difference.

History

Planter's Punch has been made in Jamaica since at least the 1870s, when a recipe appeared in a London magazine. The name refers to the plantation owners who drank it. The traditional Jamaican formula follows the rhyme: 'One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak.' Myers's Rum popularized it globally in the 20th century.

Planter's Punch is Jamaica's gift to the cocktail world — funky, fruity, and utterly tropical. Use the best Jamaican rum you can find and let it shine. Cheers.

Variations

Planter's Punch with Allspice Dram

Add ¼ oz allspice dram (pimento liqueur) for a spicier, more complex version. The allspice amplifies the Jamaican character and adds warm baking spice notes that complement the nutmeg garnish.