Planter's Punch

Planter's Punch is the grandfather of all rum punches and Jamaica's most famous cocktail export. Dating back to the late 19th century, the drink became internationally famous through Myers's Rum advertising and the simple rhyme formula: "One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak." This mnemonic refers to the proportions of lime juice, simple syrup, rum, and water (or ice), creating a balanced tropical punch that's stood the test of time. The cocktail emerged from Jamaica's plantation culture, where rum punches were served on colonial estates. The "planter" refers to plantation owners who popularized rum drinks throughout the Caribbean. Traditional Planter's Punch combines dark Jamaican rum (Myers's or Appleton Estate), fresh lime juice, simple syrup or grenadine, and water or soda, garnished with tropical fruits and fresh nutmeg. The drink's beauty lies in its flexibility—the formula allows for variation while maintaining structural balance. Some recipes add Angostura bitters, orange juice, or pineapple juice for complexity, while others stick to the classic four-ingredient formula. Planter's Punch represents Caribbean rum culture's evolution from utilitarian plantation drinks to sophisticated tropical cocktails. The drink gained massive popularity during Prohibition when Americans flocked to Caribbean destinations for legal drinking. It became a symbol of tropical leisure, Caribbean vacation culture, and rum's versatility beyond simple highballs. While tiki culture later introduced more complex rum drinks, Planter's Punch remains beloved for its straightforward balance and historical authenticity. The cocktail embodies Jamaican rum heritage, tropical punch tradition, and the timeless appeal of well-balanced sour-sweet-strong combinations that define great rum cocktails.