Backed by a history of scandals, bootlegging and pirates, rum might well be the world’s most notorious liquor – all the more reason to celebrate it on National Rum Day (August 16th) and any time of the year.
Distilled by sugarcane by-products like its juice or molasses, it ferments traditionally in oak barrels. Who came out with this brilliant potent elixir? It dates back to ancient times in China and India and Marco Polo sipped it in the 14th century.
These days, the Caribbean and Latin America are hot spots for producing rum. Even Canada makes it. If you’ve ever been officially “screeched in” during a visit to Newfoundland, you’ve had a Canuck version of rum.
While the ubiquitous rum ‘n Coke is a go-to sipper for many, dare to be different. High quality rums like Appleton Estate Reserve Jamaican Rum (created for the distiller’s 250th anniversary) can be enjoyed neat, over ice or with a splash of water or club soda. Drink and be amazed at the subtle flavours you can taste and smell, from caramel, honey, vanilla and orange peel. Give it a whirl.
Or try these easy, tasty cocktails:
Reserve Ginger Highball
Ingredients:
• 1.5 oz Appleton Estate Reserve rum
• 2 lime wedges squeezed
• Ginger beer
How:
• Pour rum over ice filling a tall highball glass with ice.
• Take ginger beer and fill glass to the top.
• Give it a stir.
• Squeeze in two lime wedges and garnish (if you’re being fancy) with a lime wheel on the rim.
• Drink up!
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Rum Punch
Ingredients:
• 1.5 oz Appleton Estate V/X Jamaican Rum
• 3 oz pineapple juice
• 3 oz orange juice
• Squeeze of fresh lime
• Dash of grenadine (available in supermarkets) • Splash of cranberry juice
How:
• In an ice-filled glass, combine all ingredients and then spruce it up with a slice of lime on top.
