What is the original, authentic, definitive recipe for planter’s punch?
I’m not sure there ever was one. It was probably a variation on an existing punch recipe and most likely changed as fast as it spread.
'Wikipedia has a 1908 recipe.
This site has an 1878 recipe, but it’s a much less traditional version than Wiki’s.
As you can see, punch recipes were highly variable. Frex, they’d call for “sweet” rather than a particular ingredient. “Sweet” could be any sweet fruit juice, or sugar or honey or molasses or …
So everyone made it differently, even using a recipe.
As noted, there isn’t any 'definitive" recipe, anymore than there is one for a hot dog. Everybody just wings it. If you follow the rhyme you’ll be in the ballpark. After that, make it your own.
One part whatever is in season that is sour; two parts whatever you have that is sweet; two parts alcohol; one part something weak and innocent sounding which can be used to trick ladies into thinking it’s safe to drink.
“What, that punch? It’s mostly water/apple juice/tea.” ::bats eyes::
I’m lucky enough to own a copy of Harrington’sCocktail, and it agrees that there’s no real way to know what the original definition of the cocktail, but what it says is:
The recipe from the book is as follows:
2 ounces dark rum
1 ounce lemon juice
1 dash orange juice
1 dash simple syrup
Shake with ice, strain into goblet filled with ice, garnish with lemon twist.