Cocktail College Planter's Punch
Aug 21, 2025
Christian Favier, a skilled bartender and educator at Charleston's Seahorse, dives into the rich history of Planter's Punch, linking its origins to the rum trade between Charleston and Barbados. He discusses the drink’s memorable recipe and its cultural significance, exploring how naming and branding influence beverage trends. Favier shares insights on balancing flavors, the role of bitters, and the cocktail's evolution into modern mixes, encouraging listeners to experiment with their versions of this timeless favorite.
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Planter's Punch Is A Fluid Category
- Planter's Punch is both a specific recipe and a broad family of rum punches across time and place.
- Its lasting identity comes from history, branding, and cultural transmission rather than a single origin.
Earliest Written Record: Mencken In 1900
- Christian traced the first printed use of "Planter's Punch" to H.L. Mencken's 1900 Myrtle Bank Hotel mention in Kingston.
- That appears to be the earliest verifiable written record tying the name to a Caribbean hotel punch.
Myers Turned A Local Punch Into A Global Product
- Brand marketing amplified Planter's Punch globally, notably via Myers Rum in the early 20th century.
- Myers positioned its rum as the Planter's Punch rum and helped spread the drink through exhibitions and labeling.
