TI PUNCH
"For the first drink of the day, make mine a Ti Punch," says Ed
Hamilton, who runs the Ministry of Rum (www.ministryofrum.com) and
favors this one because it's made with rhum agricole. Unlike common
rum, made from molasses, the smooth rhum agricole starts with fresh
sugar cane juice. Quantity control, Hamilton explains, is the key to
mixing the drink. Too much syrup will overwhelm the rhum's delicate
sweetness; too much lime will make the drink bitter, as the 100-proof
liquor leaches oils from its rind.

The favored drink of the French West Indies-Martinique and Guadeloupe
produce the finest rhum agricole-Ti Punch derives its name from the
French word "petit." Yet don't underestimate this little drink. It
might be small, but it packs a punch.

Note: Rhum agricole can be found at high-quality liquor stores and
online at Sam's Wine (www.samswine.com) and Binny's (www.binnys.com).
This recipe is courtesy of the Minister of Rum.
-JJ Goode

1 lime
1 teaspoon sugar cane syrup (or 2 teaspoons raw sugar)
6 ounces white (un-aged) rhum agricole
Crushed ice

Stand lime on end and cut thin, half-dollar-size slice (mostly peel)
off one side. Repeat with 3 remaining sides. Set slices aside. Into
each of four 9-ounce short glasses, squeeze a few drops juice from
remaining lime. Add 1/4 teaspoon sugar cane syrup (or 1/2 teaspoon raw
sugar) to each glass and stir. Add rhum to taste, about 1 1/2 ounces
per glass. Stir, add crushed ice and lime slices, stir again, and
serve. As the ice melts, the flavors blossom.

Serves 4.