There is no better classic rum cocktail than this easy Rum Punch recipe! Full of fresh fruity flavors like pineapple, orange and lime, it’s not to be missed.

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Rum Punch

Everyone needs a go to drink that they make right at home. It’s nice to go out and have a drink every once in a while, but sometimes I prefer my PJs and watching the Housewives with a beverage on the couch.

When I don’t feel like breaking out the blender for a BBC, my go to drink is this Rum Punch.

Who knows, this Rum Punch Recipe could even make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation, almost like a pina colada does. When you’re drinking rum, nothing is too out of reach. Close your eyes and hear the crashing waves at your toes.

Grenadine pouring into a pitcher — Add grenadine

How to Make Rum Punch

The absolute best part of rum punch cocktails are that they are so simple to make. You won’t be spending hours in the kitchen trying to make the perfect punch recipe.

All rum punch recipes come with a sort of “idea” of how they should be made. If you ever come up with your own recipe for rum punch, here is something to remember.

Fruit punch pouring into a pitcher — Add pineapple and orange juice

You’ll want to use one part lime juice, two parts sweetener…and then you’ll go on to add three parts rum and then four parts water. Simple enough, right? One. Two. Three Four.

If you don’t have time to make it the day of, then you can make Rum Punch up to 24 hours before serving it.

Rum pouring into a pitcher of rum punch — Add rum

Rum Punch Ingredients

Alcohol and fruit juice! OK, really, here are the ingredients. Be mindful that this recipe is forgiving and you don’t have to use exact amounts of any of the ingredients.

Pineapple juice
Orange juice
White rum
Spiced or dark rum
Triple sec
Lime juice
Grenadine

PRO TIP: Don’t add fruit until you are ready to serve! The garnish won’t last, so wait until you’re serving it to add the fruit that you want. I personally think that the fruit (like pineapple or orange slices) makes this alcoholic recipe worth while. Having fresh fruit in a drink is always delicious!

Serving platter with rum punch and fresh fruit

Adding both light and dark rum adds to the flavor sophistication. There are several kinds of rum, here they are:

Light Rum– Also known as silver or white rum, it is aged for less time than other varieties.
Dark Rum– This has the addition of molasses, burnt sugar or caramel to a tradition light rum.
Golden Rum– This is aged slightly longer than light rum.
Coconut Rum– Hints of coconut flavor added to light rum.
Spiced Rum– Addition of vanilla, caramel and other propitiatory spices.

Fresh fruit on a toothpick garnishing a glass of fruit punch

Make Ahead & Storage

Rum punch can be made up to a day ahead of time (24 hours), but don’t add ice or fresh fruit until you are ready to serve. It will also need a quick stir because some of the juices will have sediment pieces that fall to the bottom.

After you add ice and fresh fruit, it only stays good for a few hours. Not because it goes bad, but the ice will dilute your punch and make it watery. Yuck. The fruit starts to get soggy and it all just loses its luster.

I like to keep my punch separate and then add ice to individual glasses to prevent it from diluting. Keep it chilled until then.

When & Where

What occasion is rum punch for? Is there an occasion in which Rum Punch isn’t appropriate? I will tell you that I think this is an appropriate drink for any gathering, as long as alcohol is being served.

Rum Punch is very budget friendly to make. Which means you can make it for all kinds of parties. Birthday parties, weddings, engagement parties, BBQs, and whatever other kinds of party you want to throw.

This is a low maintenance drink that can serve a lot of people. When you want a crowd pleaser alcoholic drink, this is it!

glasses of rum punch with fruit garnishes

Where can I drink rum punch?

Uh… any place you’d like? Maybe not in public, as people frown up taking a roadie.

I personally think that Rum Punch is an island type of drink. The kind of drink that you want to order when you are by the beach, kid free. This is the kind of drink you want to drink poolside and forget that you have to go to work the next day.

Of course, it also makes a perfect party punch, as I mentioned. Add it to a punch bowl and let people serve themselves!

So, all in all, I’d say this drink can be consumed anywhere. Don’t ever feel bad for serving something like Rum Punch. You’ll be the hero of the party!

Do I have to use two types of rum? Adding both a dark and light adds to the sophistication of the flavor profile, but no, you can just use one if you wish. Also feel free to use flavored rum!

How is rum made? According to Wikipedia… Rum is a distilled alcoholic drink made from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, through a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels.

Is rum punch the same thing as planters punch? Although similar, there seems to be one key difference between these punches. Most of the recipes that I’ve seen for Planters Punch call for bitters.

I don’t use bitters in my rum punch recipe, but if you like the flavor, feel free to use it!

If you liked this Rum Punch mixed drink, check out these other fruity cocktails: