Cheers to Summer with Louisiana Rum

I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN introduced to a delicious rum distilled in our state, made from 100% Grade A sugarcane molasses. Out of Pointe Coupee, Oxbow Rum Distillery distills unfiltered rums in small batches; their rum has no sweeteners or additives. The Oxbow Estate Rum is very smooth; you can taste the sugar cane with every sip.

Rum is complex, smooth, and delicious. It also pairs well with delicious fruit juices and purees and the South Louisiana heat. Rum originated in Barbados; however, nowadays, it is produced in nearly every major sugar-producing region of the world. Naturally, Louisiana would be an excellent fit for some great rums.

I came to love drinking Caipirinhas after traveling to Portugal last Spring. There are different variations of the drink in different parts of the country. I’m living for a NOLA Caipirinha this summer in this Louisiana heat. A NOLA Caipirinha switches out the Licor Beirão found in Portugal for the Oxbow Rhum Louisiane Cane Juice Agricole. Agricole style means the fresh-pressed cane juice is fermented within hours of harvest before being pot distilled in small batches.

NOLA CAIPIRINHA

2 teaspoons of sugar; I used brown sugar in the raw 1 lime cut into wedges.

2 ounces Oxbow Rhum Louisiane Cane Juice Agricole

Garnish: Lime wheel

Muddle the lime wedges and sugar in a double highball glass. Fill the glass with ice, add Rhum, stir, and garnish with a lime wheel.

Another summer favorite is the Strawberry Mojito, which features the Oxbow Small Batch White Rum. A great way to beat the heat and enjoy our delicious Louisiana strawberries. This is also a great drink to batch for easy serving at a pool party or a festival get-together.

STRAWBERRY MOJITO

2 ounces Oxbow Small Batch White Rum

2 strawberries cut into half

½ fresh lime cut into half

10 mint leaves

1 ounce simple syrup

4 ounces club soda

Garnish: Mint Sprig and Lime Wheel

In a mixing glass, muddle lime, strawberries, mint, and simple syrup; pour mixture into a high-ball glass. Add ice, rum, and club soda; stir and garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel.

I wanted to recreate the original Hurricane using passion fruit puree and Oxbow Rhum Louisiane Single Barrell Aged Agricole Rum. The results was nothing short of delicious.

CREOLE HURRICANE

2 ounces Oxbow Rhum Louisiane Single Barrell Aged Agricole Rum

1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice.

1 ounce passion fruit puree

1 teaspoon Bourdeaux cherry juice

Garnish: Orange wheel and Bourdeaux cherry

In a hurricane-shaped glass or highball glass filled with ice, pour the rum, all juices, and passion fruit into the glass. Stir in the cherry juice, and garnish with orange and cherry.

I made my first Rum Espresso Martini, y’all, and it was yummy. I never really thought rum and espresso were a great combination, but I was pleasantly surprised. For the rum, I used the False River Small Batch Spiced Rum.

SPICED RUM ESPRESSO-TINI

2 ounces False River Small Batch Spice Rum

2 ounces freshly brewed espresso (I used my Nespresso machine.)

3 dashes of El Guapo Pecan Chicory Bitters

½ ounce simple syrup

½ ounce coffee liqueur (Kahlua)

Garnish: 3 chocolate-covered espresso beans

Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin filled with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and top with the three chocolate-covered espresso beans. The key to this drink is using freshly brewed espresso, so you get nice foam on the drink. What’s an espresso martini without the delicious frothy foam? The local El Guapo Pecan Chicory bitters really set the drink off.

I hope everyone checks out Oxbow Estate Rums and has fun making these craft cocktails or your favorite craft cocktails with these amazing rums distilled in our backyard. Cheers y’all!!