Name: Cutwater Tiki Rum Punch Cocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 7
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 2 oz Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum; 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice; 0.5 oz Orange Juice; 0.5 oz Pineapple Juice; 0.5 oz Orgeat Syrup (an almond-flavored syrup, found in most liquor stores); 0.5 oz Simple Syrup; 0.25 oz Grenadine; 2 dashes Angostura Bitters; Crushed Ice.; Optional Garnishes:; Fresh pineapple wedge or leaves; Maraschino cherry; Orange slice; Mint sprig.

Cutwater Tiki Rum Punch cocktail! Whether you’re hosting a summer party or just looking to unwind after a long week, this vibrant drink is bursting with fruity flavors and a hint of rum that promises to transport you straight to paradise.

What Is Cutwater Tiki Rum Punch Cocktail?

Cutwater Tiki Rum Punch is a ready-to-drink canned cocktail made by Cutwater Spirits, a San Diego–based distillery known for its craft cocktails in a can

Ingredients:

2 oz Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum
0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
0.5 oz Orange Juice
0.5 oz Pineapple Juice
0.5 oz Orgeat Syrup (an almond-flavored syrup, found in most liquor stores)
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
0.25 oz Grenadine
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Crushed Ice

Optional Garnishes:

Fresh pineapple wedge or leaves
Maraschino cherry
Orange slice
Mint sprig

Instructions:

Chill Your Glass: Start by chilling your favorite tiki or Collins glass. Add some ice and set aside.
Mix the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, combine the rum, lime juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, orgeat syrup, simple syrup, grenadine, and bitters.
Add Ice & Shake: Fill the shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds until well mixed and nicely chilled.
Prepare the Glass: Empty the ice from your glass and fill it to the brim with fresh crushed ice.
Pour & Garnish: Strain the cocktail over the crushed ice. Add your favorite tiki garnishes: a pineapple wedge, a cherry, a mint sprig, or an orange slice for extra tropical flair.
Serve & Enjoy: Insert a straw, give it a gentle stir, and transport yourself to paradise with every sip!

Tips For The Best Tiki Rum Punch:

Use Fresh Juices: Freshly squeezed lime, orange, and pineapple juices really elevate the flavors and make your drink taste bright and refreshing.
Balance is Key: Taste your punch before serving. If you prefer it sweeter, add a touch more simple syrup. For more tartness, squeeze in a bit more lime.
Customize Your Garnish: Get creative with your garnishes, they make the tiki experience even more festive!
Batch It: Making this for a crowd? Multiply the ingredients and mix in a pitcher, add ice to individual glasses when serving.
Crushed Ice Matters: Crushed ice chills the drink quickly and helps dilute it to the perfect balance as you sip.

What To Serve With

Tropical Appetizers:

Coconut Shrimp: Lightly breaded and fried, these crispy shrimp with a sweet chili dipping sauce are a tiki classic.
Ahi Tuna Poke: Fresh cubes of tuna tossed with soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions bring a taste of the Pacific to your table.
Mango Salsa & Chips: A zesty, colorful salsa of mango, red onion, cilantro, lime, and jalapeño served with tortilla chips is bright and refreshing.

Island-Inspired Mains:

Jerk Chicken Skewers: Spicy, smoky jerk chicken is a fantastic complement to the sweetness of the Cutwater Tiki Rum Punch Cocktail punch. Serve with pineapple or plantain on the side.
Grilled Fish Tacos: Fresh, flaky fish with a tangy slaw and creamy avocado pairs beautifully with the citrus notes in your cocktail.
Pulled Pork Sliders: Tender pork piled onto mini buns with a tropical BBQ sauce is hearty and satisfying.

Light Sides:

Pineapple Fried Rice: Fragrant jasmine rice with pineapple, red peppers, herbs, and maybe a sprinkle of toasted cashews.
Cucumber Salad: Crisp cucumber with a light rice wine vinegar dressing cools the palate between sips of the Cutwater Tiki Rum Punch Cocktail.
Coleslaw with Mango: A crunchy, slightly sweet slaw can offer both freshness and a touch of sweetness to the Cutwater Tiki Rum Punch Cocktail.

Sweet Treats:

Coconut Macaroons: Chewy, crispy coconut cookies are bite-sized and easy to serve.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake: Classic dessert with caramelized pineapple rings is a showstopper with your Cutwater Tiki Rum Punch Cocktail.
Passion Fruit Sorbet: Refreshing and tangy, this dessert keeps the tropical flavors going.

Ingredient Substitutes:

Rum Substitutes:

Other Golden or Dark Rums: If you don’t have Cutwater Bali Hai Tiki Gold Rum, use any golden, amber, or dark rum. Mount Gay, Plantation, Myers’s, or Bacardi Gold work well. Try to avoid spiced rums, which can dominate the delicate punch flavors.
White Rum: If all you have is white rum, go ahead and use it! The flavor will be lighter and slightly less caramelized, but it’s still tasty.
Blend of Rums: Many tiki drinks blend different rum styles. Mix white and dark rum for added depth.

Fruit Juice Substitutes:

Bottled vs. Fresh Juice: Fresh is best, but you can use high-quality bottled lime, orange, or pineapple juices if necessary.
Lemon for Lime: No lime juice? Fresh lemon juice is a solid stand-in, though it’s a touch less tangy.
Tropical Juice Blends: Mango, passion fruit, or guava juices can replace some or all of the pineapple or orange juice for a creative twist.

Orgeat Syrup Alternatives:

Almond Syrup: Orgeat is an almond syrup with subtle floral notes. If you don’t have orgeat, use an unsweetened or lightly sweetened almond syrup (like Monin or Torani).
Amaretto: Add a splash of Amaretto liqueur in place of orgeat. This will add almond flavor, but also extra booze and sweetness, so cut back slightly on other sweeteners.
Homemade Orgeat: Blend almond extract, simple syrup, and a tiny dash of orange blossom water if you want to try making a quick, DIY version.

Simple Syrup Substitutes:

Honey Syrup or Agave Syrup: Mix equal parts honey and warm water, or use agave syrup instead of simple syrup. These will add slightly different flavors but keep the drink balanced.
Maple Syrup: Works in a pinch and adds a unique depth, but use sparingly so it doesn’t overpower the punch.

Grenadine Alternatives:

Pomegranate Juice + Sugar: Mix equal parts pomegranate juice and sugar for a homemade grenadine stand-in.
Raspberry or Strawberry Syrup: Either one can provide the sweet and fruity notes grenadine brings.
Cherry Juice: Maraschino cherry syrup from a jar can also fill in for grenadine!

Bitters Substitutes:

Orange Bitters: If you don’t have Angostura, orange bitters bring a nice citrusy complexity.
Skip Bitters: If you don’t have any bitters at all, your punch will be a touch sweeter and less spicy, but still enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the transportive power of a tropical cocktail, and the Cutwater Tiki Rum Punch delivers paradise in every mesmerizing sip. With its vibrant blend of rum, fresh fruit juices, and a hint of island-inspired sweetness, this drink is the perfect centerpiece for any gathering.

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