In the past, I was never a big fan of rum. I've always associated it with the overly sweet Piña coladas coming out of slush machines in the 1990s made with artificial colors and flavorings. It wasn't until I was re-introduced to rum with the reemergence of Ernest Hemingway's favorite drink, the mojito and then more recently via the craft distillery, that I started to get excited about rum. Small batch rums can be as complex and flavorful as some of the best Cognac and Whiskey, but with a little exotic nuance. According to the LSU AG Center's website: "Today, Louisiana sugarcane yields range from 30 to 50 tons per acre, with recoveries ranging from 180 to 240 pounds of sugar produced from each ton of cane." And where there is sugarcane, there is rum. One of my two favorite small batch Louisiana rum producers is now available in Washington DC, Bayou Rum. I had a chance tasting of Bayou Rum in the Fall of 2013 at a retail store in New Orleans, LA. In NOLA, they know how to do a free tasting! We had the opportunity to try both the silver and spiced rums poured neat, as well as mixed in a the delicious real fruit punch. I became a fan immediately. You can now pick up bottle from Cordial Fine Wine and Spirits located in Union Market. Below is a simple, but delicious way to enjoy your newly acquired rum or any good small batch rum for that matter. Recipe from the Bayou Rum website:
Bayou Daiquiri1 1/2 oz. Bayou Rum Silver
3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Simple Syrup
Garnish with lime wheel
This is a really simple way to enjoy Silver Bayou Rum. Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into a martini glass (sugar rim optional). The trick is to find a perfect balance between rum, sweet and sour. If your drink is a too sweet, then add some lime. If too sour, then add some sugar. When it is just right…watch out, you’ll have another!
By the way, my other favorite Louisiana rum producer is Old New Orleans Rum Distillery. Currently, not available for purchase in the Washington, DC area, you can have a bottled shipped to your home or better yet...why not hop on down to the Big Easy and take a tour? The distillery is located in the city of New Orleans about 10 minutes from the French Quarter.
Bayou Daiquiri1 1/2 oz. Bayou Rum Silver
3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Simple Syrup
Garnish with lime wheel
This is a really simple way to enjoy Silver Bayou Rum. Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into a martini glass (sugar rim optional). The trick is to find a perfect balance between rum, sweet and sour. If your drink is a too sweet, then add some lime. If too sour, then add some sugar. When it is just right…watch out, you’ll have another!
By the way, my other favorite Louisiana rum producer is Old New Orleans Rum Distillery. Currently, not available for purchase in the Washington, DC area, you can have a bottled shipped to your home or better yet...why not hop on down to the Big Easy and take a tour? The distillery is located in the city of New Orleans about 10 minutes from the French Quarter.