Rum Punch is the title of an appropriately spicy and spiky 1982 Elmore Leonard novel that Quentin Tarantino adapted into his similarly intoxicating 1997 movie, Jackie Brown. To celebrate today’s occasion of National Rum Punch Day, feel free to revisit either version of Rum Punch’s colorful crime saga, but just remember it will all go down even smoother if you also imbibe any variation of the fruity, boozy, served-by-the-bowl cocktail that first inspired it. [photo: Oli Scarff/Getty]
Traditional libations on the order of Bahamas Rum Punch, Planters Punch, or even Bobby Flay’s Rum Punch, we suggest the following offbeat variations to pack some extra wallop to your tropical mixology proceedings.
Bust out your biggest bowls, mix like a man, and dive deep.
Caramel Apple Rum Punch
1 quart apple cider, chilled
1 1/4 cup spiced rum
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 red apple, thinly sliced
In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the apple cider, rum, and lemon juice. Chill for up to 12 hours. Serve over ice and garnish with the apple.
Rum Slush
1 can frozen orange juice
1 can frozen lemonade
7 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 pint rum
1 dash grenadine, for color (or cherry juice)
Sprite
Mix water and sugar. Simmer till sugar is melted. Let cool. Mix orange juice, lemonade, and rum with sugar water. Put in freezer for about 4 hours until slushy. Put 2 tablespoons in a glass. Fill glass with Sprite and grenadine.
Bloody Vampire Punch
4 cups clear rum
4 cups orange juice,
6 cups pomegranate juice
1/2 cup fresh-squeezed lime or lemon juice
1 liter cherry or pomegranate seltzer
Combine the orange, pomegranate and lime or lemon juices in a punch bowl and refrigerate until just before serving. Mix in seltzer just before ladling it out.
Sewer Water Punch
1 bottle vodka or vanilla vodka
7 cups fresh orange juice (with pulp)
1.5 liters Dr. Pepper soda (or generic equivalent)
Ice
In a clear punchbowl (to show off dirty “sewer” punch) combine the vodka, orange juice, Dr. Pepper, and ice. Mix vigorously.
Hippie Punch
4 Tablespoons Pink Lemonade Mix
Water
1 cup watermelon vodka
1/3 cup Malibu or similar Coconut Rum
1/3 cup Triple Sec
1 cup diced strawberries (optional)
Make the lemonade mix according to instructions, using a pitcher. Add the alcohol. Garnish with strawberries.