Ti’ Punch, Martinique

Short for Petit Punch, this brilliantly simple cocktail from the French Caribbean puts the unique flavor of Rhum Agricole from Martinique on center stage. Prepared in a rocks glass, the drink is 2 ounces of agrocole rum (distilled directly from sugar cane juice, not molasses), cane syrup, and lime juice; in Martinique or Guadeloupe, the barman would swirl the ingredients vigorously with a bois lele, a natural swizzle stick made from the wood of the quararibea turbinata plant, a.k.a. the swizzlestick tree. Traditionally served at room temperature or slightly chilled, with a lime wheel as a garnish.