Looking for the perfect punch recipe for a taste of history on Independence Day? Party like it’s 1776 with this historically accurate Founding Fathers Punch! I served this refreshing punch at my Hamilton party and have never received more compliments on a cocktail.

This is a twist on my famous 300 year-old Rum Punch. This punch is not nearly as strong, which makes sense as this would have been enjoyed by polite society – not pirates! This recipe follows the classic 18th century punch ratio of 1 part sour, 2 parts sweet, 3 parts strong, 4 parts weak.

Thank you to my grocery partner Kroger DFW for supporting The Rose Table and this recipe! It’s partnerships like this that keep The Rose Table going. 

The mixer here is chilled black tea. You gotta love an affordable cocktail recipe! Tea was a popular mixer during that time period, which is why I used green tea in my Diamond of the Season punch at my Bridgerton party.

I must insist you use Caribbean rum to honor Alexander Hamilton’s roots. And don’t skip the garnishes. They add so much! I made a huge punch bowl here but this recipe is easy to make a smaller batch of following that same 1:2:3:4 ratio.

For instance, a single glass would be .5 oz lemon juice, 1 oz brown simple syrup, 1.5 oz rum, 2 oz black tea and a pitcher would be 3/4 cup lemon juice, 1.5 cups brown simple syrup, 2 1/4 cups rum, 3 cups black tea.

Founding Fathers Punch 

1.5 cups fresh lemon juice
3 cups brown simple syrup, recipe follows
4.5 cups Caribbean rum 
6 cups black tea, chilled 
Angostura bitters
For garnish: orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves

1. Combine lemon juice, brown simple syrup, rum, and black tea in a punch bowl or pitcher and stir. Add a few dashes of angostura bitters and float orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves on top.

To make brown simple syrup:
1.5 cups packed brown sugar
1.5 cups water

1. Boil brown sugar and water until sugar is completely dissolved. Let cool and store in the fridge. Makes 3 cups. Keeps for weeks in the fridge!