Summertime Libations

I went into the liquor store yesterday to stock up on some missing libations. Of course, I completely forgot to buy the main thing I went in there for - a new bottle of Tattoo for the freezer. My memory is even more suspect now than it ever has been. You shoulda heard my youngest lecturing me about "taking my time" and "not being in such a rush" when I complained about forgetting some things on our way to soccer pictures. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

Anyway, I decided to look into buying a new rum. Since I've been making the rounds at the cocktail blog circuit, I've noticed some disenchantment with Bacardi Silver. It is my favorite rum, as it is smooth and flavorful without being too sweet. Because its primary use is in a rum & coke, it can't be adding even more sweetener. But I was surprised to find there isn't another "top shelf" silver rum available. I cannot stand any of the "Ron" brands, like Ron Rico or Ron Virgin. Is "Ron" a Caribbean word for "Bottom Shelf"? And that's about the only other silver rums I could see. There were plenty of fancy dark and gold rums, but I've found them to be too sweet for an R&C. Fine for sipping, but not really for mixing. So I've stuck with Bacardi for now.

What did completely bowl me over was the astonishing variety of flavored rums. That was another one of my quest items, to try one of these. I am a big fan of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, but that's not really a flavored rum. I think there were more flavors for rum than there were for vodka! Just about every imaginable tropical fruit was well represented - pineapple, mango, coconut (of course), banana, orange, berry. Bacardi itself had six or seven, including the new "Melon Blast" or something, that was a watermelon-flavored rum - yech! I have tried the Limon on occasion, as it isn't too bad in a R&C. I didn't want to get too wild, so I picked up a bottle of Cruzan Orange Rum. I tried it in an R&C last night - not all that wonderful. Too much orange. I'll have to try one of the recipes it came with, like the one with pineapple juice and cream of coconut. But I just didn't know so many varieties had exploded onto the scene.

For the Carnival of Drinking, where the theme is drinks that you like to serve at the barbecues, grill outs, picnics or what not that you'll be attending this weekend, or in the summer months in general (phew, that's a mouthful!), I thought I'd throw out a couple of long, tall drinks I make when I'm looking for something simple and refreshing. After a hard day in the garden, or mowing the lawn, or a full weekend working on that "Honey Do" list like I anticipate this weekend, you don't want some kind of fiddly drink to make, with measuring and mixing and blending. Just throw some stuff together and go relax already.

First up is my very favorite summertime drink - the "Pimm's Cup". Pimm's is an English herbal concoction just brimming with refreshing flavors. During the height of its popularity around World War 2, they made six different kinds, No. 1 through 6, each using a different base liquor. These days, there's only No. 1 left, which is based on London gin. I've heard rumors of No 2, based on vodka, still being around, but I've never seen it.

So you take a tall Collins glass and top it with ice (not chopped or crushed, as it will get too watery). Fill the glass 1/4 to 1/3 full with Pimm's No. 1 and then top with your favorite light colored soda. You could use Sprite, Fresca, or, in my classic version, ginger ale. Garnish with a slice of cucumber and enjoy. Easy to make, easy to drink, and very refreshing!

My second libation is very similar in some ways to the Pimm's Cup. Fill a tall Collins glass with big cubes of ice, fill 1/4 to 1/3 full with your favorite berry flavored vodka, and top with lemonade. I'm partial to raspberry, but you can use whatever kind that wets your whistle. I've tried it with cherry and it works pretty nicely. I have a big bottle of Stoli Beri just waiting for a pour at some point during this long holiday weekend. Of course, the lemonade you use is very important too. Newman's Own is an easy to get favorite of mine, while the one from the local organic supermarket chain (Wild Oats) is also a very nice one.

The raz & lemonade drink isn't very sophisticated (it doesn't even have a name!), but it sure is refreshing. It also goes better with food than does the Pimm's Cup, which I tend to drink by itself later in the evening. I'll try to add some pictures once these drinks get poured. Enjoy!