TRAVELER Spirited

BY MICHAEL PRAMIK

Whiskey brings warmth and complexity, while vodka offers a clean canvas. Gin showcases botanical delights and tequila brings the fire.

Yet, it is rum that beckons during summertime, whisking us away to tropical shores and becoming the swashbuckling hero of the spirits realm. It enchants the refined connoisseur and emboldens the adventurous soul.

During my recent sojourn in Pittsburgh, I was thrilled to discover a tiki bar called Hidden Harbor. Established in 2016 and nestled alongside a co-owned brewery, Hidden Harbor is a sanctuary of exotic tiki libations and tropical cocktails, boasting an impressive rum collection of more than 500 labels.

Co-owner Adam Henry says the secret to crafting an exceptional tiki drink lies in the use of fresh ingredients and the artful layering of complexity through quality spirits. Such artistry was evident in the classic Mai Tai that I ordered. It possessed a depth of flavor unlike any I had concocted on my own.

The cool cocktail, elegantly presented in an adorned double old-fashioned glass, was the harmonious marriage of four rum variations, freshly squeezed lime juice and house-made syrup.

While aspiring mixologists may endeavor to recreate such perfection at home, the path to a flawless rum-based cocktail is not always effortless or convenient. But it’s worth trying.