Properly Sauced: The Drought-Ender

By Rob Christopher in Food on Aug 16, 2010 7:30PM

Today is National Rum Day. We never need an excuse for drinking rum, as you can probably guess from all the rum drinks we've posted. And whether you like a good straightforward daiquiri or a psychedelic tiki creation, there's a rum drink out there for you too.

Lately we've fallen head over heels for Smith & Cross Jamaica rum. Sable, The Violet Hour, and The Whistler are all fond of this rum. Its style and history can be traced back to 1788. It's buttery, heavy-bodied, and extremely assertive; one taster even notes a "hefty dose of vegetal funk." Which means that as a sipping rum, it's problematic, but as the base for a cocktail it's superb.

Here's one we've mixed up that shows off its unique character.

Drought-Ender

• 1 1/2 oz. Smith & Cross Jamaica Rum
• 3/4 oz. lime juice
• 1/2 oz. orange juice
• 1/2 oz. orgeat syrup

Shake well with cracked ice, pour unstrained into a tumbler. Garnish with a spent lime shell.

Want to expand your rum palate? You could do a lot worse than pick up this book by Jeff "Beachbum" Barry.