Tag: gold rum

Caribbean Christmas (Revisited)

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WAAAAY back in 2016 I created and posted this cocktail, but never gave it the full write up that it deserved so for day 4 of “Cocktailmas” we’re revisiting it.

The Caribbean Christmas has becoming a yearly favorite, and staple cocktail in my annual Christmas party. It’s a classic style recipe similar to the Old Fashioned, but with a bit less involved with muddling ingredients. The rum you chose for this drink will be the star of the show so don’t go for you basic bottom shelf bottle here. From the first pour through today’s revisit my choice is the Plantation 12 Year Aged Rum. It’s reasonably priced and a nice cut above what you’d get out of a standard silver variant from another brand. You would also find this cocktail works well with Appleton Estate and Mount Gay rums interchangeably.

As for the cocktail itself, it’s simple amber color is nothing to turn anyone’s attention, but the cinnamon stick garnish certainly would. On the nose you’re greeted with a simple clean cinnamon aroma. The flavor is a fairly simple one, two punch of rum followed by a complexly warm cinnamon thanks to the mingling of the syrup and bitters. I’ve exclusively made this drink with the BG Reynold’s Cinnamon Syrup and the Bittercube Trinity Bitters, but one could easily swap out the name brand syrup for a homemade batch. The bitters on the other hand would be harder to replicate. They don’t add huge flavor to the cocktail on the front end, but the aftertaste is really where they shine. In theory they could easily be switched out for a dash of orange and a dash of Angostura bitters, but I haven’t tested that one yet myself. With over a dozen bitters already in my cupboard, I don’t need to seek out the classic angostura any time soon. That said for a simple spirit forward cocktail this is VERY easy to drink. Although if you’re not a big fan of cinnamon you might find the flavor a bit overpowering. Regardless though, it’s one of my all time favorite original creations and remains so to this day. If you’re a rum fan, but don’t want to hit the dark stuff all the time. This is the perfect way to bring the sweetness of a rum from the Lesser Antilles, and liven it up for the holidays!

Alcohol Taste Rating: 6.5/10
Overall Rating: 9/10

“Why is the rum gone?”

Caribbean Christmas
1 1/2 oz Plantation Rum
1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup
2-3 Dashes Trinity Bitters
Cinnamon Stick

Over ice in a rocks glass/tumbler, pour over liquid ingredients. Stir for 5 seconds. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Fire Nation Flaming Rum Punch

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Let’s get one last cocktail recipe in before Lent shall we? I’ll be taking these 40 days before Easter to sober up and give my liver a break, but for today it’s party time! For today’s cocktail I’m finally ready to share the third cocktail in the Avatar Universe drink set. The “Fire Nation Flaming Rum Punch” is a kick in the gut in it’s intense volume of alcohol, but a wonderfully balanced mix of flavors similar to that of a classic Zombie.

The Flaming Rum Punch is a spectacle of color and real fire! If done correctly you’ll be able to ignite the cocktail and for your guests turn cinnamon into sparks with your fingertips. When the fire is out and the glass’ rim has cooled you’re greeted with a toasty cinnamon aroma and an inviting red-orange color. The first quarter of the drink is super intense as you sip off the layer of 151 rum, which hits hard but with a toasted cinnamon flavor with a simple fruity mix underneath. After you’ve gotten through initial shock layer, you’re left with a complex rum punch recipe. The drink starts sweet, moves to a smokey cinnamon on the mid palette with a little falernum and citrus creeping at the back end, and finishes with a “PUNCH” of rum on the back end with a sweet fruit tail as it sits.

Much like it’s predecessors in the series, this cocktail isn’t to be taken lightly. It kicks you from front to back, but is sweet enough to not be overpowering. Overall it’s a fun drink to pull out for a party, but not something I’d make everyday. If you’re got a well stocked bar, you might want to give it a try.

Alcohol Taste Rating: 8.5/10 (then 7/10)
Overall Rating 8/10

Fire Nation Flaming Rum Punch

3/4 oz Sloe Gin
1/4 oz Grenadine
1/2 oz Falernum (or 1/4 Orgeat, 1/4 Lime Juice, pinch of clove, pinch of ginger)
3 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Sweet/Sour
1 oz Spiced Rum
1/2 oz Gold Rum
1 oz Dark Rum
3/4 oz 151 Rum
Powdered Cinnamon

Shake everything except 151 with ice. Strain into a highball or pint glass (no ice). Float 151 rum over the drink. Ignite. Sprinkle powdered cinnamon over as desired. Blow out flame and enjoy.

fnfrp cocktail
“Everything changed when the fire nation attacked!”

Alpine Glow

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You know how sometimes you’re just in the mood for something. Well, today I was in the mood for some brandy. It is that mood which lead me to find the “Alpine Glow” which according to my records is a drink I’ve actually made once before (just not for the blog).

Like many modern cocktails the name makes pretty much no sense in regard to the presentation, the color, or the aroma of the cocktail, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying it. This is also not really a brandy drink as much as it’s a rum drink with brandy, but hey being rum biased myself I’m perfectly fine with that.

With the case of many tiki style drinks the float of rum causes the flavor to shift halfway through the drink. A visually pleasant sandy brown (which may change with the use of a red dyed grenadine) with a dark floating section of the rum with a lemon twist is very inviting for a short glass. It’s aroma is dominated by the rum, but if you squeezed your twist it should bring some citrus aroma to that as well. Your first half of the drink will greet you with a sweet tropical rum with an aftertaste of brown sugar (which is impressive for a drink that doesn’t contain any). After you’ve sipped off most of the dark rum float and cleansed your palette with some crackers, that’s when the real taste comes through. It starts with a sweet orange, hits a general sweet and mostly indistinguishable taste on the mid palette (likely rum and sweet/sour), and finishes with a citrusy brandy flavor. Even with the float this is a cocktail for those who’s palette leans on the sweet side. Since starting this blog I’ve always leaned sweet, but I do appreciate the complexity of something like an old fashioned or a Manhattan. However, this drink plays right into my love for sweet things, especially on a warm day. It may be far from perfect, but I’m actually surprised I haven’t included it on my regular menu (as it contains many common ingredients). So is the “Alpine Glow” worth it? Yes and no. It doesn’t leave you with a great impact, but it IS a great drink for a midweek cocktail.

Alcohol Taste Rating: 7.8/10 then 6/10
Overall Rating: 8/10

Alpine Glow

1 1/2 oz Gold Rum
1 1/2 oz Brandy
1/2 oz Orange Liqueur
1/2 oz Grenadine
2 oz Sweet and Sour
3/4 oz Dark Rum
Lemon Twist

Shake all except garnish and dark rum. Strain into an iced tumbler. Float the dark rum and garnish with a lemon twist.

DSCF7837
“It Glows…until you drink the rum off.”

Caribbean Christmas

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Thought I should get at least one post in this month specifically something Christmasy. You may have already had your parties, but if you’re looking for something to serve to your family on Sunday night after (or even before) dinner you might want to have a look at this one.

I’ve been thinking about this design for quite a while, and I think keeping it simple was the way to go. If you don’t have the specific cinnamon syrup for this, it can be easily substituted with some simple syrup and a few shakes on ground cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg.

With a bitter rum taste and a lingering cinnamon finish, this will certianly raise your spirits this season!

Caribbean Christmas

1 1/2 oz Top Shelf Gold Rum
1/2 oz BG Reynolds Cinnamon Syrup
2-3 Dashes Bittercube Trinity Bitters (or your favorite aromatic)

Straight build in a short glass over ice. Stir Well. Enjoy (Garnish with a cinnamon stick?).

caribbean-christmas
“Ho, Ho, Hola”

Frozen Raspberry Mojito

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For today’s blended cocktail I decided to combine 2 recipes and make something of a variation and a hybrid (Mojito and Raspberry Daiquiri).

Depending on who you are you might find the top of the drink appealing or revolting. The blended mint creates a mossy top for the drink which isn’t the most visually pleasant thing out there, but it does give you a nice minty aroma to the start of the drink. The drink starts with a sweet and icy raspberry flavor, it moves the a refreshing lime and rum, then finishes with a bit of mint. I’m not sure if I can actually call this an original cocktail, but it certainly is a great hybrid recipe that I highly recommend.

Alcohol Taste Rating: 5/10
Overall Rating: 9/10

Frozen Raspberry Mojito

2 oz Gold Rum
3/4- to 1 oz Lime Juice (1 lime)
12-15 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 oz Raspberry Syrup
1 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
Club Soda

Blend all (but the club soda)  with a cup of ice. Pour into a large pint glass, top with club soda and garnish with a lime slice and a mint leaf. Note: Use raspberry syrup not actual raspberries unless you want seeds in your drink.

Dojito
“So…a Dojito then?”

South of France

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Well as we continue on blended cocktail week there was bound to be a drink that isn’t exactly perfect. Now the “South of France” is still a very good drink, but the flavor is certainly more interesting than anything. A pleasant and inviting drink as it is resembling in taste and look to that of the “Pina Colada,” this cocktail however has a slightly more complex flavor thanks to the B&B. Once you drink through the frothy pineapple foam, the drink starts you off sweet and rummy. The drink then moves to a pure pineapple, and finishes with the interesting mix of pineapple and coconut with a strange herbal taste mixed in underneath. This certainly isn’t my favorite blended drink but it is still very good. I’d be interested in how this drink would taste with a pure Benedictine.

Alcohol Taste Rating: 5.5/10
Overall Rating 7.5/10

South of France

1 oz B&B Liqueur
1 1/2 oz Rum (Light or Gold)
1 1/2 oz Coconut Cream Syrup
2 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice

Blend with ice and pour into a large tumbler. Garnish with a cherry and pineapple wedge (as available)

"Bonjour!"
“Bonjour!”

Slipped Disk

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Well this is one of those cocktails that can be described as “everything but the kitchen sink.” The drink actually doesn’t have much of an aroma which starts off very deceiving. The drink starts off like snow cone…sweet and icy, you’re then greeting by the wonderful mixing of rums, and you’re left with a complex mixing of juices, and liqueurs. The Grand Marnier and Amaretto are very subtle in this drink, but they are there. If you weren’t told about them you might just say “oh that tastes like spiced rum,” but when you recognize the flavors in the drinks aftertaste you’ll want to go back for more!

Alcohol Taste Rating: 5/10
Overall Rating: 9/10

Slipped Disk

1 1/4 oz Gold Rum
1 oz Spiced Rum
3/4 oz Amaretto
3/4 oz Grand Marnier
1/2 oz Cranberry Juice
1/2 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Grenadine
1/2 oz Sweet/Sour
1 oz Coconut Cream Syrup
1 oz Pineapple Juice

Blend all ingredients with ice. Pour into a large pint, or 3-4 short glasses.

Slipped Disk Cocktail
“Drink this too fast and you might just slip a disk”

Sassafras Sunset

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Possibly one of the more interesting names for a drink I’ve come across and it certainly didn’t disappoint on taste. The Sassafras Sunset has a pleasant citrus aroma and starts with an equally light citrus flavor with a bit of fizz. Mid palette it hits you with a nice juicy mix and finishes off with a mild rum and hit of raspberry. The shift in flavors in this drink are exactly what I like to find in a drink, and the addition of club soda makes this a perfect drink for any occasion. The taste of alcohol in the drink in minimal sitting at around 3/10 and overall it’s a solid 7/10. I do wish the juice and club soda was a bit more balanced, but that is something that can easily be tweaked depending on which type of tall glass is used.

Sassafras Sunset

1 oz Light Rum
1 oz Gold Rum
3/4 oz Triple Sec
1 oz OJ
1 1/2 oz Cranberry Juice
1 1/2 Sweet/Sour
Club Soda
3/4 oz Raspberry Schnapps
Orange Slice and Cherry

Shake Rums, triple sec, and juice ingredients with ice. Strain into an iced pint or highball glass. Top with Club soda and float raspberry liqueur (sinks to bottom). Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

sassafras sunset
“Kick back and enjoy the sunset”

 

Tidal Wave 2

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Today’s drink is one of many drink variations, this one I actually didn’t even know I made before. Actually it was a blue tidal wave, this however is more of a brownish rum drink.

This version has a simple appearance which could be improved with a lemon wedge to bring some life into the drink. It has bits of citrus and rum aromas and tastes as well. It starts light with a sweet cranberry flavor. Mid palette you’ll get a sweet and sour rum taste, followed up by a tart spiced rum burn. It’s a decent drink, but certainly isn’t one of my favorites. It could be improved a bit with some bitters.

Tidal Wave (2)

1/2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Gold Rum
1/2 oz Spiced Rum
1/2 oz Cranberry Juice
1/2 oz Sweet and Sour

Shake and strain into a chilled rocks glass.

Overall Rating: 7/10
Alcohol Taste Rating: 7.5/10

Tidal Wave
“Look out! Oh, never mind it’s pretty plain.”

Tropical Dream

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Today we’ve got one hell of a great blending cocktail! With a few minor substitutions to the “Bacardi Tropical Dream,” you’ll find this or a variation of your own to really impress your friends. While the original recipe calls for Orange Rum and Bacardi Gold, I feel my replacement of Cruzan Aged and Parrot Bay Pineapple certainly didn’t hurt the outcome. In fact it may have made it better.

If blended well you’ll start with the icy sweet and tropical flavors of orange juice and your flavored rum. Then on your mid palette you get that flavored rum with the gold embodied in the bits of ice. Finally you get a mild sour from the underlying sweet/sour mix to really bring this drink home. I do wish there was another juice component in the  though as I found myself wanting a little more body in the drink. Although this could easily be solved with a little less ice.

Bottom line, this is a great tropical drink for any occasion, and with a big enough blender it could be a great party highlighter.

Alc. Rating: 4/10
Overall Rating 8.8/10

(Bacardi) Tropical Dream

1 3/4 oz Gold Rum
1 1/4 oz Tropical Flavored Rum (Orange, Pineapple, Citrus, or Coconut)
3/4 oz Amaretto
1/2 oz Rose’s Lime Juice
1 1/2 oz Sweet/Sour
2 oz OJ

Blend with ice, garnish with a Lime, lemon, and orange slice

bacardi tropical dream
“I’m dreaming of something like this!”