Classic Punch rum
Sources: And a Bottle of Rum

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The proto-punch recipe calls for one part sour (lemon or lime), two parts sweet (simple syrup), three parts strong (rum usually), and four parts weak (water or tea, or these days, ginger ale or club soda). This is a catch recipe and easy to remember; unfortunately it dates from a time when colonials couldn't get enough sugar. It thus is too sweet for most drinkers today. The more sensible recipe as advocated by antique cocktail David Wondrich is 1:1:4:6. This recipe will fill a small bowl (about one and a half gallons) for an intimate party.

Ingredients

Steps

  • Beat together the sugar and the lemon/lime juice until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
  • Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Stir until well incorporated.
  • Add a block of ice for cooling.
  • Garnish with orange or lemon slices, or what have you.
rum punch