Missed National Rum Day? Try this Recipe for a Happy Hour at Home

by Carolee Chanona
tipsy tuna rum punch placencia beach belize

If there was ever a spirit that was a vacation in glass, it would have to be rum. A byproduct of molasses (or sugar cane juice) production, rum has a decidedly island flavor, especially when blended with coconut and pineapple juice, or a spritz of your favorite citrus flavor – even a shot of habanero heat. You can practically feel the sunshine permeating from it – hold the (empty) glass up to your ear and you’re bound to hear the ocean.

If you missed celebrating National Rum Day yesterday on August 16, not to worry. Try your hand at this Belizean Rum Punch at home for your next happy hour! According to holidaycalendar.com, rum is an alcohol “steeped in romanticism, thanks to its association with pirates in the Caribbean, and while it’s considered to be the third most popular alcoholic beverage, after whisky and vodka, on this day it is the Number One drink.”

Rum’s history dates back to Marco Polo – and even further back, traced to the Malay tribe of thousands of years ago, who produced an elixir known as brun. Research shows the first known distillation of rum took place during the 17th century on various sugarcane plantations located in the Caribbean.

THE NATIONAL BELIZEAN RUM PUNCH

rum punch ceviche kaana

Rum Punch and Ceviche by the pool at Ka’ana Resort. Photo by Quilz Tamay Photography

We can thank the Belize Tourism Board for their recipe for the iconic rum punch, considered the national cocktail of Belize. This local delicacy appears on almost every drink menu, like our feature photo at Tipsy Tuna Seaside & Sports Bar. Few cocktails have as many different recipes as the rum punch. And, it’s one of the best drinks to take liberties with, mixing and matching fruits and dialing up (or down) the amount of rum included.

  • 2 cups (500 mL) white rum
  • 1 cup (250 mL) coconut rum
  • 2 1/2 cups (625 mL) fresh orange juice and pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh lime juice
  • 3 Tbsp. (45 mL) grenadine
Stir all ingredients together in a pitcher or punch bowl, and chill before serving. However, use short rocks glasses full of ice like the Belize way; garnish with slices of orange and pineapple. This recipe yields about 10 servings.

Feature photo by Tipsy Tuna Seaside & Sports Bar.

Related Articles