Ti' Punch

Ti' Punch (short for "Petit Punch") is Martinique's national cocktail and the Caribbean's answer to the Caipirinha—a minimalist rum drink that showcases rhum agricole's distinctive grassy character. Unlike most cocktails, Ti' Punch follows the French Antilles tradition of "chacun prépare sa propre mort" ("each prepares their own death"), meaning the drinker mixes their own drink to personal taste. This unusual practice makes Ti' Punch both a cocktail and a ritual. The traditional recipe combines rhum agricole blanc (white agricultural rum made from fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses), cane syrup (sirop de canne), and lime disc ("disque" of lime—a coin-sized piece of lime with peel), served over ice or neat depending on preference. The lime is squeezed and muddled gently to release oils from the peel, then combined with cane syrup and rhum in proportions the drinker controls. Ti' Punch represents French Caribbean culture, Martinique's rum heritage, and the agricultural rum tradition that differs significantly from Cuban or Jamaican rum production. Rhum agricole's vegetal, grassy character requires quality cane syrup (not simple syrup) to properly balance the drink. The ritual of self-preparation makes Ti' Punch a social and cultural experience, not just a drink. While relatively unknown outside Francophone Caribbean islands and France, Ti' Punch is experiencing growing recognition among cocktail enthusiasts discovering rhum agricole's unique terroir-driven character. The drink embodies French Antillean identity, agricultural rum craftsmanship, and the beauty of simple drinks that let quality base spirits shine with minimal intervention.