Cocktail: Spiced rum punch

Most "classic cocktails" date back to the 19th century, or the first half of the 20th. Versions of this one, however, have been around since the early 17th century.

Although generally thought of as an English drink, punch actually comes from India, and originally used brandy as a base spirit.

Some time in the mid-17th century West Indian rum was introduced to the East Indies, and rum punches - of which Planter's Punch is perhaps the best known - have been around ever since.

"The word 'punch' comes from the Hindi ' panch' which means five," says Jigmee Dorjay Lama, assistant bar manager at classic cocktail specialists Lily & Bloom in LKF Tower.

"Traditionally it has five ingredients. For this cocktail the key elements are water - in the form of ice - lime juice for sourness, syrup for sweetness, spice - found in the rum and the syrup - and alcohol. We served it during December as a Christmas drink but it proved so popular we decided to add it to the signature cocktail list."

The recipe was created by bar manager Eric Stephenson who used two good quality Caribbean rums with different characteristics - Cuban Havana Club Añejo 7 Años, and Sailor Jerry, a blend of rums from different parts of the Caribbean known for its spicy cinnamon, vanilla and black cherry flavours.