Raising a Glass of Rum Punch in Honor of Jane’s Birthday

Several years back, at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Chicago, a group of us decided we’d each research and serve a popular Regency drink as part of a workshop we presented called “Jane Austen Happy Hour.” What fun to get to learn about (and taste test) so many delicious drinks. My beverage of choice was rum punch — a drink I happen to like quite a lot, even in the modern era!

As someone who’s fond of sweet and fruity cocktails in general, I found rum punch to be light, tangy and refreshing, and, in my opinion, extremely easy to make. I also liked the idea of featuring a recipe that the characters in my contemporary Austen-inspired novels, especially According to Jane, would be familiar with… (Readers might remember that spiked punch was served at Ellie’s post-prom dance, and that there was rather a lot of rum consumed — along with a little Coca-Cola, LOL — in Sam’s car one night. :))

During Jane Austen’s time, rum punch was an extremely popular drink — one that had become available when trade began to open up between Europe and the Far East. Its name was derived from the Persian word Panj and the Hindu word Panch, both meaning five, which refers to the number of ingredients traditionally used in the beverage. Originally, it was a strong mixture of arrack, water, lemon juice, sugar and spices, but a more expensive and elaborate concoction was later created called “Regent’s Punch.” That drink often contained a number of additional ingredients, such as brandy, champagne, green tea and curaçao. 

My basic rum punch recipe, however, calls for only rum, fruit juices and a dash of bitters and grenadine. For those who like a hint of spice, top with a sprinkle of nutmeg — it adds an interesting touch. Check out the recipe below for the beverage. Truly, it couldn’t be simpler!

RUM PUNCH
1 1/2 oz. dark rum
1/4 oz. lime juice
2 oz. orange juice
2 oz. pineapple juice
Dash of bitters
Add grenadine for color, sprinkle with nutmeg & enjoy!

And, so, let us raise a glass of virtual (or real!!) rum punch to Jane in celebration of her 241st birthday and, if you’re so inclined, share a short toast in her honor. Here’s mine:

“To Jane, thank you for the many hours of joy you’ve given me while reading your novels and for the unparalleled insight about human nature that you’ve expressed through your memorable characters!”

If you’d like to be on that mailing list, just visit my website (here: http://www.marilynbrant.com/contact/) and sign up 😉 .

***

And, finally, as this is my last post of the year, I wanted to wish each of you a wonderful holiday season and a very happy start to 2017!! xox ~Marilyn

Marilyn Brant

Marilyn Brant is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary women's fiction, romantic comedy, and mystery. She loves Jane Austen, Sherlock Holmes, travel, music, gelato, and chocolate. She was named the 2013 Author of the Year by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English and lives in the Chicago suburbs with her family. Visit her website at www.marilynbrant.com.

34 comments

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    • Karylee Marin on December 16, 2016 at 12:35 am
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    This is so fun, Marilyn. Thanks! I FEEL the enjoyment in what you share. So nice! So nice to offer such a groovy giveway, too. I hope I win!! lol. Merry Christmas!! (early) and Happy, Happy Birthday to our JANE!!! xxoo Karylee

    1. Karylee, thank YOU for taking the time to stop by and celebrate Jane!!!
      Wishing you lots of love, sweet lady, and a very Merry Christmas! 🙂
      xox

    • Mary on December 16, 2016 at 2:48 am
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    Thanks,Marilyn,for this post! Even though I don’t drink,I’ll raise a glass on this very special occasion!

    To Jane,you’ll never know the sheer joy and happiness your determined literary efforts have brought to our lives.

    So here’s to you,whatever part of the universe you reside in,hope you are looking down on us all,one eyebrow raised humorously at our efforts to find hidden meanings behind your wonderful words,probably too stunned to have your share of the conversation but secretly thrilled that your words are still alive,being read,enjoyed and celebrated!
    Happy Birthday!

    1. Mary,
      LOVED it! 🙂 What a fabulous toast to Jane!!!
      Thank you for being a part of this happy celebration!!
      xox

        • Mary on December 16, 2016 at 1:02 pm
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        More than welcome,Marilyn!
        Delighted to be part of the celebration!
        Thank you for your very kind words!

        1. ♥ ♥ ♥

    • Julie Klassen on December 16, 2016 at 8:54 am
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    Mmmm….That does look good. Thank you, Marilyn. Too early in the morning for me to to come up with a clever toast, but I join you in celebrating Miss Austen’s birthday. 🙂

    1. So glad you decided to pop in, Julie!!
      Sending you a virtual glass of the punch and hope that, if you ever try to make it, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did! 😉

  4. Love the article and will have to try your recipe!

    1. Thanks so much, MaryAnn!!
      Lovely to see you here, and I hope you’ll like the punch! 😀

    • StephanieL on December 16, 2016 at 10:53 am
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    Raising that glass Marilyn…to you and to Lady Jane! Merry Christmas to you and Happy Birthday to her!! Rum punch when I was younger was apple cider, cranberry juice, orange juice and spiced rum. 🙂 This one sounds much brighter.

    1. Stephanie,
      Thank you so much, m’dear!!
      Love the sound of your rum punch recipe, too, and I may just have to try out that version… I’m in very much of a rum mood after having visited a lovely local book club last week and being served rum balls, LOL. Can’t get enough 😀 . Much love to you! xox

    • Carole in Canada on December 16, 2016 at 11:51 am
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    Thank you for that recipe and for your books!

    Here’s to Jane and all the JAFF authors who have brought us countless hours of sheer enjoyment or angst! May you be enjoyed and loved for another 241 years!

    Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a healthy, happy and muse-filled year!

    1. Such a lovely toast, Carole!!!
      Thank you for sharing you thoughts with us on Jane’s birthday and for your kind words and good wishes 😉 .
      Merry, Merry Christmas to you, too! XO

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on December 16, 2016 at 12:54 pm
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    Beautiful Tribute to Jane! The punch, Yummy!

    1. Thanks so much, Jen!! ♥

    • Carol hoyt on December 16, 2016 at 1:45 pm
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    Thank you Marilyn!!
    The punch sounds so good! I may have to go get me some rum!
    Your toast says it all! I also thank all the wonderfully talented authors ,like yourself, who has taken janes creations and built more wonderful 📚!
    I rise my glass to you all !

    1. Carol,
      Your sweet words mean the world to me — thank you!! XOXO
      And I hope you get ahold of some rum and give the punch a try! 😀

  9. Thank you for the rum punch recipe; it looks amazing! The moment I saw the words “rum punch,” I was immediately transported to Clarence ordering this drink in the bar in It’s a Wonderful Life. 😀

    Happy 241st, Miss Austen! You don’t seem a day over 200. Truly! 😉

    Thank you for this post, Marilyn!! Wishing you and everyone a joyous holiday season!!

    Warmly,
    Susanne, who is happily sipping her favorite organic strawberry tea on a rainy morning, thankful for both the tea and the rare treat of a soaking rain for us drought-ridden Southern Californians!

    1. You’re most welcome for the recipe, Susanne!!
      Loved reading your witty toast 😀 and thinking of you finally getting some rain in SoCal! Thank goodness 😉 .
      xox Merry Christmas to you & yours!

    • Katherine Schmitt on December 16, 2016 at 2:47 pm
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    What a user friendly recipe! I’ll bet I can even sneak the ingredients into the nursing home where I live. Congratulations on the Illinois Teacher award. You should be very proud!

    1. Katherine,
      I’m delighted you like the recipe!!
      And thanks so much for your kind comments about that award… It was a big moment for me ♥ .
      Happy Holidays!! 🙂

    • Vee on December 16, 2016 at 3:20 pm
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    Thanks for a lovely passage Marilyn! Cheers and a Happy Birthday to Jane Austen. My life is better for reading her books,which also lead me to finding you and many other talented authors.
    Wishing you the joys of the season and a happy, healthy and successful New Year. ❤️😘🎄xox

    1. Dear Vee,
      Thank you so, so much for taking the time to celebrate Jane’s special day with me and, as always, for your genuineness and support of Austen-inspired writers, myself included!! XOXOX
      Sending you love and good wishes for the holidays and beyond! ♥ ♥

        • Vee on December 18, 2016 at 12:04 am
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        Thanks gorgeous. Wishing you and your family the very best always xox 😘❤😘

        1. ♥♡♥♡♥
          😉

    • Lynn char on December 16, 2016 at 3:31 pm
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    I think I need this punch….right now! Work ends in 30 minutes so I have time to get all the ingredients and have some rum punch while I finish decorating the tree. A perfect evening! Thanks for sharing!

    1. My pleasure, Lynn!!!
      So glad the rum punch sounds good to you! Hope it’ll be an enjoyable complement to your decorating time tonight 🙂 . Wishing you a wonderful Christmas! xo

    • Sheila L. Majczan on December 16, 2016 at 6:21 pm
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    I no longer indulge in alcoholic beverages due to a worry about conflicts with medication BUT if I were still doing that I am sure this is one recipe I would try. We do have several bottles of Jamaican Rum (one 151 proof) sitting in our liquor cabinet.

    Merry Christmas, Marilyn, & also all the readers here. Happy New Year, too.

    1. Sheila,
      I can completely understand that! I’ve got to be careful about some med interactions as well… Ahhh, the joys that come with each new decade 🙂 .
      Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a blessed 2017!! xox

    • Anji on December 16, 2016 at 7:01 pm
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    The rum punch recipe sounds lovely, Marilyn. May have to try it at some point over the holiday season.

    To Jane, happy birthday. I think we’re all so sad that you were taken from this life at such a young age. Who knows what you may have gone on to write if you’d have lived as long as your sister Cassandra. Thanks for the legacy you left us and for inspiring so many modern day authors.

    1. What a beautiful and thoughtful toast to Jane, Anji!!
      Thank you for sharing this with us and, as always, for your kind comments! Wishing you the happiest of holidays 🙂 . *Hugs*

    • Deborah on December 24, 2016 at 12:28 pm
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    Thank you for this post. The rum punch sounds delicious. I will have to try it. Maybe a recipe book Could be made of the wonderful recipes.

    1. Deborah,
      Just saw your comment! Thank you 😉 . Love the suggestion of a recipe book!!
      Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and much love for the New Year! xox

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