When a crowd is coming, it’s time to serve rum punch.

Learn how to make rum punch, and thrill your party-going friends with their new favorite drink.

)gold rum

3/4cupfresh lime juice(from 7 medium limes)

1/3cup(2 2/3 oz.

Southern Living Rum Punch in a pitcher to serve

Credit:Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Stir until sugar is just dissolved, about 1 minute.

Add tea bags to saucepan, and remove from heat.

Let steep, covered, for 10 minutes.

Southern Living Rum Punch ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Remove and discard tea bags and ginger.

Cover; refrigerate until ready to serve.

Finish with sparkling water and serve:

Serve over ice.

Southern Living Rum Punch steeping the tea bags and ginger

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Top each drink with 1/4 cup sparkling water.

Garnish with orange wheels and cherries.

Southern Living Rum Punch after straining out the tea bags and ginger

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Rum Punch stirring together in a pitcher

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Rum Punch topped with sparkling water

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox