When it comes to holiday cocktails, no liquor is quite as versatile or beloved as rum. Whether adding it to hot butter, egg nog, or other concoctions, rum is almost always a welcome addition. However, what if you're trying to limit your alcohol intake during parties and get-togethers? Fortunately, thanks to Seir Hill, you can imbibe without the unhealthy side effects. 

Biscane rum alternative is a perfect way to enjoy various cocktails without the threat of hangovers or embarrassing episodes. Best of all, this alcohol-free spirit provides all the flavors of spiced rum, making it excellent for mixing. So much so that we're going to look at how it can enhance your Autumn spiced rum punch. If you've never had this drink before, it's sure to become your new favorite mocktail. Get your sweaters ready, and let's start mixing!

A Brief History of the Rum Punch

Since rum is one of the oldest liquors around, it's no surprise that rum punch is one of the oldest cocktails. The first mention of it dates back to 1632, although most historians agree it originated much earlier than that. The modern rum punch was created in 1655 as Jamaican rum became the spirit of choice for sailors on merchant vessels. 

Sailing was the birthplace of several cocktails we still enjoy today, but none were so ubiquitous as the rum punch. This drink was invented out of necessity, as sailors needed something safe to drink during long voyages. Unfortunately, with germ theory still centuries away, drinking water wasn't safe, so liquor was often a suitable alternative. 

Sailors from the Dutch East India Company developed some of the first rum punch recipes using materials they already had on board. Their devotion to the drink is also how nutmeg became an essential ingredient. Back in the 17th century, nutmeg was the most valuable commodity, so merchants could fund all kinds of expeditions by selling this spice to wealthy individuals back home. However, because nutmeg was plentiful in India, sailors could add it to their punch without paying exorbitant prices. 

Over the centuries, rum punch has more or less stayed the same, although there are plenty of variations. Across the board, most recipes try to adhere to the original "rule of five." When making rum punch, there should be five unique elements - sweet, sour, alcohol, water, and spice.  

Non-Alcoholic Autumn Spiced Rum Punch and the Holidays

Part of the reason punch has had such staying power is that it's easy to make in large quantities. So, when planning parties and holiday gatherings, you can whip up a batch of punch and have something tasty and refreshing for all your guests. What makes this autumn rum punch so appealing is that it's alcohol-free and yet still quite tasty. So, your friends, relatives, and colleagues can enjoy as much as they want, even if they're observing Sober October or September. 

Overall, rum punch works well for all the holidays, including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. No matter the occasion, a batch of spiced rum punch will always be an instant hit. 

What You'll Need to Make an Autumn Spiced Rum Punch Mocktail

As far as tools and equipment go, you won't need much to make an entire batch of rum punch. Either you can use a full-sized punch bowl or an extra-large pitcher. However, you can adjust the recipe to accommodate as many guests as you're expecting to serve. 

This recipe makes between four and six full servings, so you should plan accordingly. If you're expecting many more people, we recommend doubling or tripling the recipe. Then, you can pour everything into a massive container and serve it in pitchers or bowls as needed. 

Equipment

• Punch Bowl or Pitcher - You will need to refrigerate your punch, so make sure you have enough room to store each batch beforehand. 
• Serving Ladle - If you're using a pitcher, you won't need this. 
• Knife - You'll be cutting and prepping quite a bit of fruit for this recipe. 
• Stirring Spoon - You need something long enough to reach the bottom to mix the fruit thoroughly before serving. If possible, it's also nice if guests can stir as they help themselves. 

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 Whole Apples, Chopped (you can use whatever you prefer or what's in season)
• 1 or 2 Whole Oranges, Sliced
• 1 Pear, Chopped
• 2 Cups Biscane Rum Alternative
• 2 Cups Apple Cider
• 1 Cup Orange Juice
• 1 Cup Cranberry Juice
• 2 or 3 Cinnamon Sticks (plus extras to use as garnishes)

When serving your rum punch, you can either use glasses or plastic cups, depending on the type of party you're having. Also, while it's nice for everyone to get their own cinnamon stick, that may not work out for larger gatherings with a self-serve punch. 

How to Make an Autumn Spiced Rum Punch 

The first step is to chop all your fruit. You will need to slice your oranges because chopping them isn't really an option. If you want to add some extra color and flavor to your punch, we recommend using blood oranges. Also, the types of apples you use are entirely up to you. For example, you can use a granny smith apple to add some sour notes to the drink or choose sweeter varieties like honey crisp and Fuji. 

Once your fruit is chopped, mix everything in your pitcher or bowl. Be sure to stir the fruit, so everything gets mixed properly. Then, put your punch into the fridge so it can chill. 

Ideally, you can refrigerate your punch overnight, but if you only have about an hour or two, that also works. Basically, you want guests to be able to enjoy a chilled beverage with or without ice. 

Variations and Alternatives to a Spiced Rum Punch

One of the best things about making spiced rum punch is that you can customize this cocktail as much as you want. Also, while we're focusing on an Autumn version, you can mix things up and try different ingredients based on the season. Here are some of our favorite variations: 

• Go Tropical - Instead of pears, apples, and oranges, you can try tropical fruits like papayas, mangoes, and pineapples. You can also use pineapple and mango juice instead of apple cider and cranberry juice. Also, you can use fruit slices or umbrellas as garnishes rather than cinnamon sticks. If you want to go all the way, try serving the punch in coconuts. 
• Make it Fizzy - Most punch cocktails are flat, meaning they don't bubble or fizz when you drink them. However, you can add some zest to your recipe by using sparkling apple cider instead. Also, you can splash some non-alcoholic sparkling white wine on top after serving yourself a glass. The carbonation adds another layer to the punch, making it even more enjoyable. But if you go this route, keep in mind that the cider will go flat if it sits out too long, so it's best to add that last. 
• Make a Ginger Rum Punch - Another way to add some fizz to your concoction is to use ginger beer. Again, we recommend adding this last so it won't get too flat by the time you serve the punch to your guests. Or, you can splash some ginger beer on top when serving.  
• Serve Your Punch Warm - Autumn spiced rum punch works well chilled or warm, so you can choose which way to go when preparing your cocktail. Having a warm punch does require a bit more effort, but the results are spectacular. We recommend heating your fruit first to caramelize the sugar and make them softer. Then, mix all the ingredients in a large pot and simmer on the stove. Make sure to stir the punch frequently so nothing burns. 

As you can see, there are practically endless ways to mix your next punch. If you're interested in more mocktails with Biscane and Seir Hill's other products, you can find recipes here.