The Best Drink Recipe to Close the Summer in Style: Bajan Rum Punch

With all the fabulous Latin American food this week on The Kitchn I’ve been craving an equally suited cocktail. With a little digging and, I’ll be honest, some taste-testing too, I found a great drink that stays with our Latin American theme and it’s perfect for toasting the end of summer this Labor Day weekend. If you’re into rum, rum drinks, or the history of booze in general you’ll love this sip.

When we talk rum it’s inevitable Barbados will seep into the conversation. Considering its famed national cocktail is Rum Punch, and that almost 2000 rum shops polka-dot the mere 166 square miles of this country it’s no wonder for many Barbados is synonymous with this sip.

Any guesses who is the biggest importer of rum from Barbados? You betcha — it’s the good ol’ U.S.A. You may be familiar with the largest Bajan (Bajan basically refers to anything relating to Barbados) rum distillery — Mount Gay. With documents dating back to 1703, this rum house’s claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of rum!

The Barbados Rum Punch Formula
The drink is simple and singsong-y if you like a poetic drink. Take it from the locals; this little ditty is the perfect Bajan rum punch recipe:

• One of sour, two of sweet
• Three of strong and four of weak
• A dash of bitters and a sprinkle of spice
• Serve well chilled with plenty of ice

Which translates to the recipe below, but feel free to tweak the components to your taste.

Maureen C. Petrosky writes what she knows, food, booze and parties. Author of The Wine Club, she appears regularly on The TODAY show to share her vices (and advice) with the world. For more info check out www.maureenpetrosky.com or follow her on Twitter @maureenpetrosky.

More Rum: Best Liquors: What Is Your Favorite Rum — and Why?

(Images: Maureen Petrosky)