Raise a glass of cheer with this fun and festive Simple 5-Minute Rum Pom Punch recipe. Pomegranate and fresh lime juice are dressed with a splash of rum, sparkling water, a touch of sugar and a pinch of cardamom. Serve well chilled over ice and garnish with a slice of lime and pomegranate arils for a festive touch.
There’s no simple syrup prep work. No muddling or shaking. Simply measure out the ingredients in a glass, give it a little stir and pour over ice before serving. Plus, the ratios in the recipe can be adjusted for a single serving, or you can easily whip up a pitcher for a larger group.
If you’re still looking for a holiday brunch cocktail to serve, look no further.
Jump to RecipeThank sailors for rum punch traditions
What do you do when you’re a sailor in the 1600s and your beer has gone sour? If you were a sailor in the tropics, you likely developed a liking for rum, and you probably incorporated different fruits and spices from your travels. According to NPR, we have British sailors to thank for our long history and tradition of rum punch bowls.
There is a beautiful simplicity to rum punch. Traditionally, rum punch recipes consist of three major ingredients: fruit juice, spices and rum. Additionally, it was often sweetened with sugar. It became fashionable to serve – or perhaps even over serve – guests among society gatherings of the time; however, the punch bowl fell out of fashion, before coming full circle again a time or two.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t recall the last time I needed a punch bowl – although I may have registered for one when I was first married 30 years ago. Honestly, I can’t remember. If I did, I suppose I thought I needed one, but well, that simply hasn’t proven to be the case. In any event, being an empty nester, I find myself less interested in recipes that serve a large group and more focused on smaller batch recipes. I’m having to relearn that whole cooking for two thing.
This rum punch recipe is like a little punch bowl for one, yet the recipe can easily be expanded to serve a large group if needed. For example, if you want to make this holiday party punch recipe for a group of four, the ingredient ratios would be as follows:
For a group of eight, simply double the ratios provided above.
Sipping rum takes this Simple 5-Minute Rum Pom Punch to the next level
Although any good quality rum will work nicely in this beverage, if you want to take your Rum Pom Punch to the next level, use a nice sipping rum such as Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. This particular amber-colored, sipping rum is aged for 12 years in oak barrels and has vanilla and orange notes.
It’s lovely served neat or over ice; however, this rum’s smooth, elegant flavor also plays nicely with the pomegranate, lime and cardamom in this rum punch recipe.
Craft cocktail flavor without the alcohol
I love a good craft cocktail and the complex bouquet of flavors that spirits and other ingredients impart; however, I don’t always want the alcohol. And if I’m fighting a cold, need to get up early the next day or stay sharp for something, I usually choose to skip the alcohol altogether.
Although I’m not opposed to alcohol, I am sensitive to the fact that not everyone chooses to partake. Whatever your reason, you don’t have to be stuck drinking pop or bottled water at your gathering. My Tempting Grapefruit Evergreen Mocktail recipe is one to keep in rotation whenever you want a good, non-alcoholic option.
In this recipe, I infusing the flavor of rosemary and dried juniper berries into a simple syrup. The juniper berries release their gin-like flavor into the syrup as it cools in such a lovely, aromatic way. Gin lovers will appreciate the subtle familiar, flavor, but without the alcohol. However, the syrup provides a subtle and easy introduction to this bold aromatic.
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic beverage to serve as as an alternative to this rum punch recipe, this Grapefruit Evergreen Mocktail is a great option to have on hand.
Simple 5-Minute Rum Pom Punch
Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
serving5
minutesThis ratios in this recipe can easily be increased to serve a larger group.
Ingredients
1 pinch ground cardamom
1 tsp. granulated sugar
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1 1/2 ounces rum
2 ounces pomegranate juice
2 ounces sparkling water
Ice
Directions
- Fill a glass with ice and set aside.
- In another tall glass or cocktail mixer, combine the cardamom, sugar and lime juice. Add the rum, pomegranate juice and sparkling water. Stir to incorporate.
- Pour over ice and serve. Garnish with a slice of lime and pomegranate arils if desired.
