What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see a bottle of Rum? Pirates? Pina colada? Sun kissed Caribbean beaches? Hula girls in their grass skirts? Can't really blame you for rum, undoubtedly, is the drink of Caribbean. It won't be entirely off the mark if I say that rum and drinks made with rum have been the driving force behind economy and culture of the islands. However, limiting this spirit to a base for fruity tropical drinks only would be a mistake, a gross underestimation of this golden liquid.
Don't get me wrong - I love daiquiris and a minty mojito packed with freshness as much as you do. But don't write off rum as something to be enjoyed only on a summer evening. While rum drinks can be more refreshing than gin or vodka when mixed into lemonade, mix rum with spices and lo you have a fantastic drink to warm you up. There are several rum drink recipes which make use of spices but the one that many including me vouch for, I am giving below.
1 bottle (750 ml) medium-bodied aged rum
3 allspice berries
3 cloves
1 cardamom pod
1 segment of star anise pod
1/2 cinnamon stick
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1 4x1-inch strip of orange peel (no white pith)
1/2 vanilla bean
Add allspice, cloves, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon, and nutmeg to rum and put them all in a lidded 1-qt. jar. Twist orange peel over the mixture to release some of its oils before adding it to the jar. Split vanilla bean and scrape seeds into the jar and add bean as well. Tightly close lid of the jar and shake well to mix the ingredients. Let it sit in a cold and dark place for 2-3 days. Make sure you shake it at least once a day.
Once the drink is ready, strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bottle and discard the spices. Drinks with rum can be kept indefinitely if jar is sealed tightly and stored in a dark, dry place. However, I doubt it will last very long once you taste it.
Once you can get over reputation of Rum as a tropical favorite, you are ready to discover its warming properties. Absolutely delightful in hot cocktails, rum drinks such as Hot Buttered Rum or Hot Toddy are favorite drinks of many. I won't be surprised if you are enamored with this sweet, spicy winter warmer once you taste it. Making a large batch of the base mix and having it on hand is very easy. And making the drink on a cold evening is even easier if you follow the recipe below.
1 small slice soft butter
1 tsp brown sugar
Vanilla extract
2 oz dark rum
Hot water
Ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice - Optional, in case, you want your drink to have a spicy twist.
Put butter, sugar and spices at the bottom of an Irish coffee glass or mug. Mix well and pour in the rum and hot water. Stir until drink is mixed properly.
Everyone have their own opinion on how to drink rum. Red hot poker mixing is not only easy but also a good way to turn an ordinary drink into special. Take a clean, thick iron rod and let it sit in the fire until it is red hot. Shake off any ashes and put it into the finished drink gradually. Make sure that it does not touch the bottom of the glass or the glass will break. Poker mixing is great when you are camping. Hot-poker method can also be used to for caramelize dark beers.
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