"Rum Punch" Recipe (Inspired by "Jackie Brown")

"Rum Punch" (Inspired by "Jackie Brown")

By: The Film Bartender

    After his two wildly successful films that showed off his incredible talent in filmmaking, Quentin Tarantino was ready to tackle a third film, which is based off the 1992 Elmore Leonard novel, "Rum Punch". Titled "Jackie Brown", Tarantino brought back the blaxploitation genre to the film industry, crafting a great crime film with a stellar cast and a great female lead role. Our first drink in the "Jackie Brown" series is based on the name of the novel this film is based upon, which is a classic rum drink that is just as great as the novel! Keep reading to find out more information and facts about Tarantino's 3rd film, and to find the the full recipe for "Rum Punch"! 

    "Jackie Brown" was released in 1997, written for the screen and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Pam Grier in the titular role, Bridget Fonda as Melanie Ralston, Robert Forster as Max Cherry, Samuel L. Jackson as Ordell Robbie, Robert De Niro as Louis Gara, and Michael Keaton as Ray Nicolette. The film revolves around Jackie Brown, who is a flight attendant that gets in trouble with the law when they discover her with huge stacks of cash and drugs in her possession. 

    Now under police custody, she has two options - talk and work with the police to catch her dealer, Ordell Robbie, or not talk and be arrested and stand trial. When she picks the first option, she thinks she can finally have a normal life free of criminal activity. However, that is when the idea comes to her to double cross both the police and Ordell, taking the money for herself and running away. Working with a bails bond man named Max Cherry, who is infatuated with Jackie, she thinks her plan will work and she can live the life she always wanted to. However, when Ordell and his associates find out, they will make sure they get their money and that Jackie goes down for their crimes. 

    This is the first, and so far the only, film by Tarantino that has been adapted from a book. When it was released, it garnered mostly positive praise from critics and audiences alike, saying that it has the charm and charisma there that was present in Tarantino's other films, but is not as good as his two previous movies, "Pulp Fiction" and "Reservoir Dogs". In terms of box office, the film grossed $74.7 million against a $12 million budget.

    However, even though it did well in the box office and gained critical praise, it is not without its controversy. The major controversy surrounding this film was the use of the N word, which is used 38 times in the film. Tarantino would go on to use it a lot more in his later films, "Django Unchained" and "The Hateful Eight", but this film was definitely a shock when it was used almost fifty times throughout its runtime. It especially garnered tons of backlash from black filmmakers, such as Spike Lee. 

    The fact that the novel this film is based upon is named after a drink is a perfect reason to craft a cocktail around this film. The Rum Punch is a fantastic tropical beverage that will have the viewer, or in this case, the reader, enjoy the film or book just a little bit more. Keep scrolling to find the full recipe for "Rum Punch" down below!

The Rum Punch

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Ingredients:

- 1 oz Malibu Coconut Rum

- 1 oz White Rum

- 2 oz Orange Juice

- 2 oz Grapefruit Juice

- 1/2 oz Grenadine

- 1/4 oz Simple Syrup

- 1/4 oz Lemon Juice

- 1/4 oz Lime Juice

- Sprite (to top)

- Cherries (to garnish)

- Lemon Wheel (to garnish)

- Ice

Directions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice. Then add Malibu, White Rum, Orange Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Grenadine, and Simple Syrup. Shake vigorously until well combined.

2. Strain into a tall glass full of ice, and then add the Lemon Juice and Lime Juice. Top the beverage with Sprite, and stir until well combined. 

3. Garnish with a couple of cherries and a lemon wheel. Serve. 

Film Fact: Quentin Tarantino met Robert Forster in a restaurant and handed him the script for "Jackie Brown", saying "You're going to do this, and that's all there is to it." Forster was naturally thrilled, having had a major career slump. This film saw him come back in a big way, even landing an Oscar nomination. 

    Now you have made your very own beverage inspired by Quentin Tarantino's third film! Let me know what you think of this film and cocktail in the comments either down below or on Instagram, and give me a follow if you haven't already at @thefilmbartender. Check back tomorrow to find the next recipe in the "Jackie Brown" series! Until then, happy drinking!