A small glass, a coin of lime squeezed straight in, a little cane syrup and a generous pour of grassy rhum agricole. No shaker and usually no ice: this drink shows the rum in its purest form, lifted by a touch of lime and sweetness.
1¾ oz
white rhum agricolee.g. Rhum J.M · Rhum Clément · Neisson · Trois Rivières · La Favorite
¼ oz
cane syrup adjust to taste
1
lime a coin-sized disc cut from the side of a lime, with some flesh
Garnish: Lime disc · Ice: Served up, no ice
Ti' Punch
Grassy and fresh with sugar cane, green banana and pepper notes from the rhum, a bright lime accent and gentle sweetness. Strong, almost pure rum.
Ti' Punch, short for petit punch ("little punch"), is the everyday drink of Martinique and Guadeloupe. It is made with rhum agricole, the style of rum distilled from fresh sugar cane juice rather than molasses, which gives it grassy, vegetal flavours.
The ritual is part of the appeal. Traditionally the bottle, the syrup and the limes are put on the table and everyone prepares their own glass, matching sweetness and lime to their taste. A French Caribbean saying captures it: chacun prépare sa propre mort, each person prepares their own death, a joke about the strength of the drink.
It is usually drunk before lunch or dinner as an aperitif, often without ice, and stirred with a wooden swizzle stick.
Rhum agricole is distilled from fresh sugar cane juice, most rum from molasses. Agricole tastes grassier and drier.
Traditionally no, but many people add an ice cube, especially outside the Caribbean.
Yes, although cane syrup adds a richer, slightly caramel flavour.
The perfect sound
Rustic rhum agricole on a Martinique veranda.
Reader rating
Thanks for rating
Updated:
