Citrus Rum Punch Cocktail

One of our favorites for a crowd, this Citrus Rum Punch is perfect for any party or big game; it’s a delicious blend of several fruits, rum, and Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur. Yum!

Citrus Rum Punch in Glasses with Blue Rim

Although I did make this Citrus Rum Punch just for the Super Bowl and I won’t deny it might wear the colors of my favorite team but it’s funny; I’m not as stressed about the outcome of this game as most rabid fans might be.

Of course I want Peyton (my cat’s namesake even!) and the Broncos to win but I spent 10 wonderful years in North Carolina years ago, my children were born there and my daughter now lives just outside of Charlotte where the other team actually plays.

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It’s a hard call for a true Broncos fan. This must be how the Williams family felt for many years; wanting their older daughter Venus to win because she had worked so hard for longer but wanting the same good things for her younger sister Serena. Torn for sure! So I say to Broncos fans and Panther fans alike; this Citrus Rum Punch is for you!

Citrus Rum Punch in Punchbowl with Citrus Ice Ring

This Citrus Rum Punch really is the perfect punch for this time of year when Florida citrus floods the market. I actually first saw this recipe in an issue of Bon Appetit where it called for blood oranges.

Those have not been easy to find this year so I just used pink grapefruit instead for that beautiful color and subbed in regular oranges. I also used bottled grapefruit juice and I’m glad I did.

This was really good and not too sweet but any less sugar and it would have been too little. The grapefruit juice I keep on hand for cocktails contains sweetened juice so if you decide to juice fresh grapefruit you might have to add additional simple syrup.

I decided to add some limes to the mix; just because. As much as I love lemon, I love limes more and I knew the addition of lime juice would only be something good. And it was.

Bacardi Oakheart Rum

This cocktail for Citrus Rum Punch includes two rums; half is a ‘regular’ dark rum. Although the Bon Appetit recipe specified a high proof rum I didn’t bother to go on that search and used a dark rum I had on hand.

The other rum called for is a Spiced Rum and I used BACARDÍ Oakheart Spiced Rum. This rum is crafted by Maestros de Ron BACARDÍ from heavily charred oak barrels to obtain a unique, smoky flavor before it’s filtered through charcoal and finished by adding a secret blend of spices. The perfect accompaniment for all of the citrus in the punch.

I realized as I finished up with the photography for the Citrus Rum Punch that I hadn’t even tasted it yet. It’s not the first time either but after almost 5 years of doing a cocktail every week you do start to gain confidence from an ingredient list and just know what sounds great and I’ve been  lucky…I’ve never had one fail me yet.

Still; once I was done with photos I’ll take a sip and if corrections need to be made I can do them then and revise the recipe accordingly. Tastes too boozy? I might add a bit of club soda to the recipe (and this would be a nice way to stretch this cocktail a bit if you need to).

Needs a bit more sugar? An easy fix with simple syrup. So, I took that first sip and remember hearing myself say, ‘Yum!’ First impressions are the best sometimes!

Glass of Citrus Rum Punch Garnished with Grapefruit and Orange Slices

When I have a success and especially when I have a whole pitcher of a success like I did with this Citrus Rum Punch Cocktail I’ll call a neighbor to come sample the results to see if my take goes beyond me and is enjoyable for them too.

Last night it was my buddy Amy and shortly after she showed up her hubs Casey got home and joined us.

Casey is not much of a drinker; as much as anything because his job as a District Wildlife Manager has him on call so often. But I’ll tell you what; he is a great barometer because he’s also a bit of a fussy eater and drinker. When Casey likes it? I know I’ve got a winner!

He tried a sip of Amy’s cocktail and asked for his own. What can I say…this one really is that good! Make a batch for your gang; having a punch to serve is such an easy way to serve cocktails at a party. As a matter of fact I suggest you double it; it’s going to disappear.

Here’s to the Broncos and the Panthers; no matter what else guys, I’m just hoping for a great game…Cheers!

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Appetizers

PIN IT! ‘Citrus Rum Punch Cocktail’

Citrus Rum Punch in Glasses with Blue Rim
Glass of Citrus Rum Punch Garnished with Grapefruit and Orange Slices
Citrus Rum Punch in Glasses with Blue Rim

Citrus Rum Punch Cocktail

Barbara Baker
A bright citrus cocktail with grapefruit, orange, lemon and lime juices. Packs a punch with a rum base…so good!
3.60 from 50 or more votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Rum
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 257 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dark rum
  • 1 cup spiced rum
  • 1 cup fresh grapefruit juice strained
  • ¾ cup fresh orange juice strained
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice strained
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice strained
  • cup Luxardo maraschino liqueur
  • ¼ cup simple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons Peychaud’s bitters
  • 1 grapefruit sliced into rounds
  • 2 oranges sliced into rounds
  • 1 lime sliced into rounds

For Garnish

  • Additional slices of citrus

Instructions
 

  • Fill a bowl or a small saucepan with water and citrus rounds and freeze (See Notes).
  • Combine both rums, grapefruit juice, orange juice, lemon juice, liqueur, simple syrup, and bitters in a pitcher.
  • Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight, covered.
  • Un-mold ice (briefly dip bottom of container in warm water) and add to punch along with citrus slices in a large bowl. Serve punch in 6-oz. glasses filled with ice. and garnished with citrus sluces.

Notes

For fun I decided to put the slices of citrus into an ice block in lieu of having them float independently. To make it work and not have them float to the top of the water (which would mean when un-molded they would be on the bottom and not be visible), I froze a quarter inch of water in a medium saucepan then layered the citrus on the frozen water and then just barely covered them with more water and froze again.
Once the citrus layer was frozen I filled the pan with another 2 inches of water and froze again. It worked beautifully; large pieces of ice melt much more slowly than ice cubes would have. Make sure you get your punch mixture cold before combining the punch and the ice and it will stay cold without having all of the ice quickly melt into the punch.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Citrus Rum Punch Cocktail
Serving Size
 
1 Cocktail
Amount per Serving
Calories
257
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.2
g
0
%
Sodium
 
8
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
26
g
9
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Calories
257
Keyword citrus, cocktails, punch, rum
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Some Oldies but Goodies!

7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This citrus rum punch cocktail sounds refreshing and delicious! I love the combination of flavors in this drink, and it’s perfect for summer gatherings or parties.

  2. Hi I just happened across your blog and really enjoyed your post. I’m not much of a drinker either but do like tropical drinks such at this. I’m going to give it a try.

    1. Most of the cocktails I love the most Ronda are fruity with just a touch of booze. Check out the Grey Goose Oaks Lily I just posted last week. SO good; very light with the booze but a great, refreshing drink.

    1. That would be nice; I’m remembering two years ago and it’s either a ‘Super’ high or a ‘Super’ low when your team is in the Super Bowl. 🙂

3.60 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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