White Rum Cocktails
So what exactly is “white rum”, and is it as good as aged rum? Well I think that is in the eye of the beholder and from the mixology standpoint it depends on the cocktail you are using the rum IN Over the last few years the American whiskey industry has had a trend of producing “white whiskey” which essentially is UN-AGED . In my travels I find that a lot of people don’t realize that the color in spirits- -whether it is bourbon, scotch, Irish whiskey, or RUM comes from the wood barrel that it has aged in.
The wood imparts color but also flavors and can also really mellow out the spirit that goes in directly from the still. So does that make an AGED spirit better? In some cases, absolutely, and in my opinion whiskies really need that time in wood. But rum is one of the exceptions. Many rums around the world have wonderful, complex flavors all on their own and don’t require years in a barrel. That being said there are white rums that are aged for just a few years but still retain that clear color. This is one of the many reasons I love rum- - - because you can have a white rum (also known as light or silver) that is complex, or an older, aged rum, both of which are unique and fantastic in their own respect.
There is certainly no rule that certain cocktails MUST be made with white vs aged rum, but for the following 3 recipes I much prefer the white rum and feel like it provides cocktails with a lighter, cleaner feel on the palate:
HEMINGWAY DAIQUIRI (also known as PAPA DOBLE )
Ernest Hemingway’s favorite drink, which he used to consume at the famed La Floridita bar in Havana, Cuba. This is one of my very favorite cocktails to enjoy in warm weather.
• 2 oz. White Rum
• 1 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice
• .5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• .25 oz. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
Shake well with ice, strain up in a coupe glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
MOJITO
Every bar tender has their own personal recipe and method of how to make this iconic drink, but this is how I like to do it
• 2 oz. White Rum
• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup
Place 6 -8 mint leaves in a mixing glass and add the simple syrup. Muddle lightly and then add the lime juice, rum, and ice. Shake lightly, and strain into a tall glass, being careful to keep the mint out of the glass.
Add ice and top with a splash of club soda.
Garnish with a big sprig of fresh mint.
EL PRESIDENTE
This is one of my favorites because it isn’t the typical fruity tiki style cocktail that so often you see made with rum. The history of this drink dates back to the 1920’s in Havana.
• 1.5 oz. White Rum
• .5 oz. Cointreau
• .75 Dolin Blanc Vermouth
• 1 barspoon Grenadine (make sure it is real grenadine)
Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with an orange twist.
-Article written by Cris Dehlavi, The Muse of Mixology-
My name is Cris Dehlavi and I am a native of Arizona, but have lived in Columbus, Ohio for the past 13 years with my daughter, Desi. I have been running the bar program at “M”, of the Cameron Mitchell Restaurant group since 2005. I am currently the President of Columbus USBG as well as a consultant for bars and restaurants nationally. In 2013, I attended the rigorous B.A.R. 5 Day Spirits Certification and have been recognized as one of the top mixologists in the U.S.A. I am one of the senior managers of the prestigious apprentice program at Tales of the Cocktail and work as a mentor to many bar tenders around Ohio. My contribution to "Got Rum?" magazine will include everything from reviews of national cocktail events, articles on mixology, garnish trends, recipes and techniques, to interviews with some of the leading bartenders in the industry