PLANTERS PUNCH

PLANTERS PUNCH

1 measure fresh lime juice
1 measure orange juice
2 measures dark rum
½ measure grenadine
Dash Angostura bitters
Soda water or lemonade

The PLANTERS PUNCH cocktail originates from the sugar plantations in the West Indies during colonial times, when something tall and refreshing was needed. These plantations were where 90% of Western Europe’s sugar came from in the 19^th century and nearly every island in the British West Indies was dotted with sugar plantations back then. Unfortunately, it was slavery that made these plantations so successful. These plantations are also one of the reasons that blacks make up the majority of the population on these islands today.

OK, enough with the history lesson. How was the drink? Well, it was sweet and tart, and tasted like something you would drink on a sugar plantation. To make it, I put the first four ingredients listed above into a glass pitcher and stirred it well with ice. I then put a few dashes of Angostura bitters into the bottom of some highball glasses and half-filled them with ice. I strained the pink mixture from the pitcher into the glasses and topped them off with some ice-cold lemonade. Lastly, I garnished with a slice of lime, though an orange or peach would do as well. The PLANTERS PUNCH cocktail is not tops on my list. Though I enjoyed the combination of all the juices, the cocktail had a bitter aftertaste, and was just so-so. Still, it reminded me of Jamaica and that is never a bad thing.

Drink Up^
Cocktail Connie