Non-Alcoholic Rum Punch
Rum punch might sound like something you'd find in a punch bowl at a high school dance, but this colorful cocktail has a far longer and more involved history! The concept of "punch" emerged sometime in the 1600s, when spices were still considered as valuable as currency. The aristocracy sipped on this an opulent alcoholic beverage so that they could show off their impressive stock of nutmeg—and clearly, the trend caught on!
You don't need to be a 17th-century aristocrat to enjoy a glass of this fruity, flavorful beverage, even if you don't drink alcohol! With a great non-alcoholic rum punch recipe, you can capture the mix of five flavors that makes the cocktail such a distinctive delight.
Interested in learning more about this centuries-old beverage, including how to mix your own virgin rum punch mocktail? We've created this guide to help you put together your perfect punch; hold the alcohol!
Keep reading for the best non-alcoholic rum punch, featuring Biscane, Seir Hill's low-sugar, gluten-free, non-alcoholic rum alternative.
The History of Rum Punch
We know that wealthy spice traders enjoyed punch, but how did it become so widespread? It was all thanks to the influence of the hard-working British sailors aboard the Dutch East India Company's trading ships.
On a trading ship, the only thing more valuable than the cargo was the ale. As the sailors approached warm, tropical waters, their precious ale would go flat. Desperate for a drink, they scoured the East Indies for libations and discovered the wonder that was punch.
The first rum punch combined Jamaican rum and valuable nutmeg. As trading and conquest continued, rum punch became a staple aboard ships. Before long, it spread to the Americas, where it remains a favorite today!
It wasn't always a major hit, however. By the 1800s, punch was already seen as "old-fashioned." The only folks drinking it were the hipsters of the nineteenth century (like author Charles Dickens), who sometimes served it as a "vintage" drink!
Since then, the drink has gone in and out of fashion, but the quality of modern rum has brought it back in a big way. Now you can order "the world's first cocktail" at nearly any bar or restaurant or mix one up at home!
What's in a Typical Rum Punch?
The name "punch" has nothing to do with violence. Actually, no one is quite sure where the term originated!
There is evidence that the word may have been derived from old Sanskrit or an ancient Persian language. In modern usage, we all agree that "punch" translates to "five." That number refers to the five flavor elements that should be present in any authentic rum punch, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
A true rum punch must include the following five elements:
- A sour element
- A sweet element
- An alcohol element (or alcohol substitute)
- Water
- Spice
Any drink with that combination of elements is a punch by definition. As you can imagine, there are endless variations on how to mix up this tasty tropical drink!
Seir Hill's Non-Alcoholic Rum Punch Recipe
Is your mouth watering? Now anyone can enjoy the delicious flavor of a traditional rum punch, even if they're off alcohol. Our Rum Punch-inspired mocktail uses Biscane, Seir Hill's non-alcoholic rum substitute, which is perfect for mixed drinks.
Biscane contains notes of molasses and sugar cane, with a warm finish that rivals the real deal. It's both vegan and gluten-free, with just 1 gram of sugar per serving. It's the perfect addition to your sugar and calorie-conscious lifestyle!
Our delicious non-alcoholic rum punch is an homage to Florida rum runners and traditional Jamaican rum punch.
Ingredients List
- 2.5 oz of Seir Hill's Biscane
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1 orange
- 1 lime
- 1/4 oz grenadine
- Cherries for garnish
- Ice
Recipe Instructions
Step One: Start by cutting your orange and lime in half. You'll need 1 oz of fresh orange juice and 1/4 oz of fresh lime juice. Juice half of each fruit and use the other half to create a cheerful garnish for your drink.
Step Two: Add the Biscane, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, and grenadine into a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake thoroughly until the mixture is cold throughout.
Step Three: Add fresh ice to a hurricane glass or other drinkware. Strain the Biscane and juice combination into the glass.
Step Four: Use cherries, orange slices, and lime slices to garnish your finished mocktail. You can even freeze them to keep everything cold and refreshing!
Variations on Our Virgin Rum Punch
Rum punch has a long, ever-changing history. You can find mixology books loaded with dozens of variations on this centuries-old favorite.
Traditionally, as long as your drink includes all five elements, it's a punch! If you're looking for something a little different, you can swap out an element or two to achieve a unique flavor combination.
Making swaps is also a wonderful way to customize the sugar content in the drink. While Biscane only has a single gram of sugar per serving, additions like grenadine and pineapple juice add a lot of sweetness. With these mix-and-match variations, you can enjoy your punch on your own terms!
Ideas for Alternate Sour Elements
In our recipe above, the sour elements are the citrus ingredients: the orange and lime juices. If you'd like to swap out your sour ingredients, consider substituting the following:
- Lemon juice
- Grapefruit juice
- Unsalted yuzu juice
- Kombucha
The juice of any citrus fruit should work. Be sure that the proportions of any ingredients you swap remain the same, however! The balance is what ensures the drink tastes good.
Ideas for Alternate Sweet Elements
In our recipe, the sweetness comes from the addition of pineapple juice and grenadine. Believe it or not, in some Jamaican rum punch recipes, you'd be adding more grenadine than rum!
Sweetness comes in many forms, however, so if you'd like to make a swap, consider the following:
- Simple syrup
- Agave nectar
- Honey syrup
- Maple syrup
- Natural fruit syrups, such as strawberry
- Grapefruit juice
- Passion fruit juice
- Apple juice
- Pomegranate juice
- Guava juice
- Papaya juice
- Cranberry juice
- Lemon or limeade
- Lemon-lime soda (or diet lemon-lime soda)
- Gingerale (or diet gingerale)
The pineapple juice in a traditional rum punch adds a lot of the tropical flair. If you are planning to sub it out, consider one of the other tropical fruit juices above. You can swap the grenadine for any other sweet element, but keep ratios in mind.
Ideas for Alternate Non-Alcoholic Spirits
While a rum punch calls for a rum substitute like Biscane, not every punch is a rum punch! Those British sailors settled for rum because it was what was available in the East Indies in the 1600s. In the twenty-first century, there's no reason why you can't swap one virgin spirit for another!
If you're looking for another option, we suggest swapping the Biscane for Mashville, our calorie-free, non-alcoholic whiskey alternative. The spicy flavor is just as rich and compelling, making it the perfect match for a punch. A few ounces of Mashville makes those sour elements sing!
If you want a virgin margarita-inspired punch, you can swap Biscane for Durangold. Durangold is our non-alcoholic tequila alternative. You'll love the addition of its southwestern notes but consider adding a touch of spice for a more authentic punch flavor!
Our Favorite Rum Punch Spinoffs
Not sure where to begin with mixing, matching, swapping, and adding? We've come up with a few tried and true combos to get you started! These all go great with Biscane Non-Alcoholic Rum.
Sparkling Ginger Virgin Rum Punch
A sparkling punch is a refreshing drink on a hot day! To add a pop of ginger flavor, add 2.5 oz of ginger ale (or diet ginger ale) to your shaker along with the ingredients in our original recipe.
Lime Time Virgin Rum Punch
To embrace the flavor of lime, swap out your pineapple juice for store-bought or homemade limeade. You can often find limeade in the freezer section of the supermarket. To add more flavor, you can swap the lime juice for the juice of another citrus fruit.
Virgin Tropical Fruit Punch
If you want a sweet surprise, mix up a punch using a variety of tropical fruit juices in place of the pineapple juice. Try 1 oz of guava juice and 1 oz of passion fruit juice for a combination that your tastebuds will adore.
Sparkling Lemon-Lime Brunch Punch
Another variation on sparkling punch uses lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7-Up. Skip the lime and grenadine and use lemon-lime soda instead. For a brunch-inspired touch, add sliced strawberries, whole raspberries, and a touch of mint!
One Rum Punch, Hold the Guilt!
When you mix up our non-alcoholic rum punch recipe, you'll become part of a centuries-long tradition of enjoying the world's finest flavors. Biscane shares an uncanny similarity to your favorite top-shelf rum. You no longer have to sacrifice flavor when you enjoy an ice-cold virgin rum punch with friends!
Biscane is now available in our online store. Pick up a bottle (or two) and enjoy guilt-free, non-alcoholic rum with only 1 gram of sugar per serving! Order now and experience the rich, Caribbean flavors for yourself!
