Martinique and Guadeloupe's national cocktail, the Ti' Punch ("little punch") is a spirit-forward minimalist built on white rhum agricole, a touch of sirop de canne, and a squeezed lime coin. The grassy, funky agricole stays front and center, lightly tamed by syrup and brightened by lime oils. By tradition each drinker assembles their own to taste — the local phrase is "chacun prépare sa propre mort," each prepares their own death — and the classic version is served neat, predating the islands' wide access to ice.
Built · Old Fashioned · None
build
Add the cane syrup to an Old Fashioned glass, then pour in the rhum agricole blanc.
express
Cut a lime coin (more rind than flesh) from the side of the fruit, squeeze it over the glass to release oils and a little juice, then drop it in.
stir
Stir or swizzle gently until the syrup is dissolved and the lime oils are integrated. Serve neat, in the traditional manner; add a large cube of ice if a chilled version is preferred.
garnish
Leave the spent lime coin in the glass as the garnish.