Properly Sauced: Trader Vic's Planter's Punch

By Anthony Todd in Food on May 6, 2008 4:00PM

While browsing at O’Gara and Wilson in Hyde Park, we stumbled across a copy of Trader Vic’s Book of Food and Drink – a first edition from 1946, signed by the Trader himself. As lovers of classic cocktails, we couldn’t let this one go, and we’ve had fun making the various 1940s rum-based cocktails and reading the dated and sarcastic prose. One recipe for “Pondo Punch” was named after “Our Filipino Boy” who apparently used to make them for the Trader. Another, the Mahukona, is described thusly: “There’s a good story about this drink, but sitting here trying to remember it, I’m stuck. I know I got the drink some place, because I still have the scrap of paper I scribbled it down on, but dammed if I can remember where it was.”

We had a strong affinity for dear, departed Trader Vic’s and will hopefully rekindle our love affair if/when the restaurant re-opens in a new location. Until then, here’s Trader Vic’s recipe for Planter’s Punch. This rum-based cocktail is a great outdoor summer drink, even if it’s a little bit sweet for some peoples’ taste. We would love to give you the famous Mai Tai recipe, but the Trader kept that one a secret.

Trader Vic’s Planter’s Punch

3 Ounces Jamaica Rum (ed.note: For some extra kick, use Wray & Nephew White Overproof rum, which comes to you at a whopping 126 proof. By itself it's got a bite from the cane sugar some might find unappealing, but it's great for mixed drinks.)
1/2 ounce Grenadine
Juice of one lime
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1/4 tsp Sugar
Charged Water (soda water)

Pour rum, grenadine, lime and lemon juice, in a mixing glass with large pieces of ice. Add sugar. Stir thoroughly and pour into 12-ounce glass filled with cracked ice; fill the rest of the glass with charged water.

If you look at either bookfinder.com or Alibris.com, you might be able to find a copy of Trader Vic’s Book of Food and Drink for your own collection,

Photo courtesy rcousine on flickr.