Caribbean Pumpkin Punch
12.10.16
| Recipe by Renz
A blend of pumpkin, milk, and spices makes this drink an all-time favorite. This
Caribbean pumpkin punch is quick, easy, and delicious.
I think you should just go ahead and call me punch 'man.
I really just love drinking punches. They are quick and filling. And there are so many variations you can make. And they are packed filled with so much nutritional value that you don't feel too bad slurping it down. And then they just also taste so amazing.
By now you should realize we make punches from a lot of things. Fruits and vegetables. This punch follows the same process as the beet punch. Delicious and easy.
Punch vendors are popular in Trinidad and Tobago.
Most times it's a man (like I cannot remember ever seeing a female punch "man") and most times it's being sold from a cart with the punches already mixed and ready to go.
The variates are huge.
By definition, a punch is a mixture of fruit juices or spices. And sometimes includes some form of alcohol like wine or liquor. These are the types you may find in a punch bowl.
But to Caribbean people, a punch is taking a fruit or a vegetable, adding milk and sweetener to it, and blending it up. Alcohol is optional.
One of our most popular flavors is peanut punch.
There's a hint of Guinness in this punch. Well about more than a hint. Stout gives a nice gritty taste along with the nutmeg, cinnamon, and bitters.
Punches are not really like smoothies. They are usually heavier (or thicker) drinks, creamy and delicious. And are probably not always "healthy".
In my head, I see a smoothie as something healthier that can use veggies and would incorporate ice whereas, in punches, everything is just blended together and chilled to drink.
Drinking pumpkin juice has its benefits outside of it just being delicious.
Healthline gives some great pointers for the benefits of pumpkin, not limited to:
So get your pumpkin drinking, and eating started.
Most basic of ingredients. You can find all of these at your supermarket. Nothing too fancy here at all.
Equipment
Electric mixer
Calabaza pumpkin can be difficult to peel. Have you ever tried to peel one?
My life has flashed before me on numerous occasions after the knife took a close call to a finger.
I go into detail about dealing with this and the best way to peel it in my pumpkin fritters post.
As I mentioned this pumpkin punch recipe is easy and really doesn't require much work.
I used about 1 1/2 pound of fresh pumpkin to get the two cups.
Once you get your pumpkin peeled and cubed up add it to a pot and we want to add enough water to a smidge below the level of the pumpkin in the pot.
Add a pinch of salt, it would help bring out the flavor of the pumpkin. We do not want just a hint of pumpkin, we want all of it.
Once it's boiled to tender, cool it a bit then blend.
Add the milk, Guinness, and nutmeg and continue to combine them together.
Then your bitters and sweeten to taste.
Put the drink to chill for a little then serve. And you can still serve over ice.
Add a dash of cinnamon to each glass to garnish.
I would keep this in the fridge for no more than 5 days tops. It's a fresh pumpkin with milk and can spoil easily.
Store in the fridge in an air-tight container throughout use.
Give it a good shake prior to pouring after sitting in the fridge.
After a hectic week, some delicious pumpkin punch can start your weekend.
Now to figure out what my next punch is going to be!!
I think you should just go ahead and call me punch 'man.
I really just love drinking punches. They are quick and filling. And there are so many variations you can make. And they are packed filled with so much nutritional value that you don't feel too bad slurping it down. And then they just also taste so amazing.
By now you should realize we make punches from a lot of things. Fruits and vegetables. This punch follows the same process as the beet punch. Delicious and easy.
Punch vendors are popular in Trinidad and Tobago.
Most times it's a man (like I cannot remember ever seeing a female punch "man") and most times it's being sold from a cart with the punches already mixed and ready to go.
The variates are huge.
What is a punch?
By definition, a punch is a mixture of fruit juices or spices. And sometimes includes some form of alcohol like wine or liquor. These are the types you may find in a punch bowl.
But to Caribbean people, a punch is taking a fruit or a vegetable, adding milk and sweetener to it, and blending it up. Alcohol is optional.
One of our most popular flavors is peanut punch.
There's a hint of Guinness in this punch. Well about more than a hint. Stout gives a nice gritty taste along with the nutmeg, cinnamon, and bitters.
Punches are not really like smoothies. They are usually heavier (or thicker) drinks, creamy and delicious. And are probably not always "healthy".
In my head, I see a smoothie as something healthier that can use veggies and would incorporate ice whereas, in punches, everything is just blended together and chilled to drink.
Benefits of pumpkin juice
Drinking pumpkin juice has its benefits outside of it just being delicious.
Healthline gives some great pointers for the benefits of pumpkin, not limited to:
- It is extremely rich in Vitamin A.
- Has a high antioxidant count, and may help reduce chronic diseases.
- Boosts immunity with its high level of vitamins.
- Has components that can help promote healthy skin.
So get your pumpkin drinking, and eating started.
Ingredients for pumpkin punch
Most basic of ingredients. You can find all of these at your supermarket. Nothing too fancy here at all.
- Pumpkin - as always, we use calabaza pumpkin. Real pumpkin that you can find in your grocery stores. This is the same pumpkin we regularly use in soups. Be careful of picking a young pumpkin. It will have a gritty taste and be a little bitter for the drink.
- Milk - whole milk.
- Guinness.
- Ground nutmeg.
- Ground cinnamon.
- Dash of bitters.
- Condensed milk.
Equipment
Electric mixer
Let's talk about the woes of fresh pumpkin.
Calabaza pumpkin can be difficult to peel. Have you ever tried to peel one?
My life has flashed before me on numerous occasions after the knife took a close call to a finger.
I go into detail about dealing with this and the best way to peel it in my pumpkin fritters post.
Preparation
As I mentioned this pumpkin punch recipe is easy and really doesn't require much work.
I used about 1 1/2 pound of fresh pumpkin to get the two cups.
Once you get your pumpkin peeled and cubed up add it to a pot and we want to add enough water to a smidge below the level of the pumpkin in the pot.
Add a pinch of salt, it would help bring out the flavor of the pumpkin. We do not want just a hint of pumpkin, we want all of it.
Once it's boiled to tender, cool it a bit then blend.
Add the milk, Guinness, and nutmeg and continue to combine them together.
Then your bitters and sweeten to taste.
Put the drink to chill for a little then serve. And you can still serve over ice.
Add a dash of cinnamon to each glass to garnish.
Substitutions
-
I have enough nicks on my fingers from the knife passing a little too close.
Even though I much rather use a fresh piece of pumpkin, you can easily
substitute pureed pumpkin in the tin.
I think the canned ones have a heavier distinct taste, but it surely is a great substitute. I would use the unsweetened pumpkin.
- If you don't want to make this an "adults-only cocktail" you can omit the Guinness.
- You can use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar. The color would be a little darker due to the color of the sugar.
- Milk substitutes can be used. If you don't use whole milk then use your favorite type like coconut milk.
How long can this last?
I would keep this in the fridge for no more than 5 days tops. It's a fresh pumpkin with milk and can spoil easily.
Store in the fridge in an air-tight container throughout use.
Give it a good shake prior to pouring after sitting in the fridge.
After a hectic week, some delicious pumpkin punch can start your weekend.
Now to figure out what my next punch is going to be!!
