Cocktail Corner: Celebrate National Rum Day

A refreshing Pina Colada is the perfect way to celebrate National Rum Day on Aug. 16. Photo and recipe courtesy Flor De Cana rum.

A refreshing Pina Colada is the perfect way to celebrate National Rum Day on Aug. 16. Photo courtesy Flor De Cana rum.

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic!  By Leslie Dinaberg

I’ll take any excuse to celebrate with cocktails, and National Rum Day is a pretty darn good one. This annual holiday takes place on August 16, celebrating the sweet flavor and tropical spice tanginess of all things rum-related. Rum is the quintessential summer spirit, and these cocktail recipes, courtesy of Flor de Caña, are a great way to embrace and enjoy the last bit of summer. This family-owned company is celebrating 125 years of production of award-winning Nicaraguan rum. Try them out and let us know what you think.

Macau

 1 ½ oz Flor de Caña 7 Year Rum

1 oz guava juice

1 oz orange juice

½ oz lemon juice

1/3 oz simple sugar

Method: Garnish with 1 orange slice and 1 cherry with stem

Macau, courtesy Flor De Cana rum.

Macau, courtesy Flor De Cana rum.

Pina Colada

2.5 parts Flor de Caña 7 Rum

3 parts pineapple juice

1 part coconut cream

Method: Combine the FDC 7, pineapple juice and coconut cream in a blender. Add cup of crushed ice and blend on high until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

 

Old Fashioned

2 parts Flor de Caña 7 Rum

1/4 part brown sugar syrup

3 or 4 dashes coffee bitters

2 large orange zests

Method: Add all ingredients to your mixing glass. Stir with ice. Strain into a prepared Old Fashioned glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel.

Mojito, courtesy Flor De Cana rum.

Mojito, courtesy Flor De Cana rum.

Ultimate Mojito

2 parts Flor de Caña 7

1/2 part lime juice

1/3 part superfine sugar

3 leaves mint

Champagne

Method: Muddle lime juice with sugar in a Collins glass. Add mint leaves and muddle again. Fill glass 2/3 full with crushed ice and add rum. Top off with a champagne float. Garnish with sprig of mint.  

Manhattan, courtesy Flor De Cana rum.

Manhattan, courtesy Flor De Cana rum.

Manhattan

 2 parts Flor de Caña 7 rum

1 part sweet vermouth

1/6 parts maraschino liqueur

1 dash orange bitters

Method Add all ingredients to mixing glass filled with ice. Stir vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Cheers! Click here for more cocktail corner columns.

Leslie Dinaberg

When she’s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a “goal-oriented drinker.”

 Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons Magazine on August 12, 2016.