Post #244912 by ikitnrev on Tue, Jul 25, 2006 11:10 AM

I located the following historic recipe on the web - Martha Washington's own recipe for rum punch, apparantly obtained from handwritten notations in her diary.

It is likely a bit weaker than the rum drinks we are used to today, as only about 25% of the volume is alcohol. I wonder how many people in Virginia at the time were able to obtain fresh orange juice on a regular basis?

Vern

Martha Washington’s Rum Punch (Serving 6-10)

3 oz. White Rum
3 oz. Dark Rum
3 oz. Orange Curaçao
4 oz. Simple Syrup
4 oz. Lemon Juice
4 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
3 Lemons quartered
1 Orange quartered
½ Tsp. Grated nutmeg
3 Cinnamon sticks (broken)
6 Cloves
12 oz. Boiling water

In a container, mash the orange, lemons, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg. Add the syrup, lemon, and orange juices. Pour the boiling water over the mixture in the container. Let cool for a few minutes.
When cool, add the White Rum, Dark Rum, and Orange Curaçao. Strain well into a pitcher or punch bowl (to remove all of the spice marinade) and serve over ice in goblets and decorate with wheels of lemon and orange. Dust with a little nutmeg and cinnamon